Blog Archives

Let’s Write a Paper!

Posted by | Posted on May 1, 2012
1

No matter what major you pick or college you end up at, the reality is that you’ll have to write a paper. In high school, the idea of a three page essay was horrifying and often led to unorganized, unfocused results, but since coming to Hopkins I’ve been able to write some papers that I’ve personally been impressed by, both in quantity of pages and in quality. How is this possible? Well, for just three easy payments of $19.99…okay just kidding. The truth is, Hopkins has beyond incredible resources for research, not just in the labs, but in the museums and libraries. Follow along with my latest paper — a research paper for my Intro to Art History class — to see just how great these resources are.

The Prompt:

Step One: Pick a Piece

I knew from the beginning that I wanted to do a paper that would focus on the ideas of modernity and artistic expression in modern art. Since the BMA’s contemporary collection doesn’t reopen until November of this year – I will add that the Contemporary Curator came and talked about the reinstallation to my museums class, and it’s going to be amazing - I decided that I would pick a work from the National Gallery in DC. So, one $7 train ticket later, I was en route to DC for the day in search of what would become my focus for the next few weeks. I departed the train an hour later and walked over to the National Gallery for the first time, only to find myself overwhelmed with choices. The conversation in my head was essentially a series of “Oh, I like that! Oh, but I also like that!” and on and on and on.

The East building with huge works by Calder and Kelly

Andy Goldsworthy's installation in the lobby

Leo Villareal's light installation connecting the East and West buildings

Cherry blossoms in DC

 

"Field Painting"

After wandering the galleries for a few hours, I somehow narrowed myself to one work: Jasper Johns’s Field Painting. Something about its undeniable presence and visual evidence of the artist hammering out ideas of mark-making and the artist/studio relationship, a sense not evident in his earlier, less introspective works, really connected with me.

Step Two: Research, Research, and, oh yeah, Research

Books about Johns

If you’re pursuing a major where writing papers will be a prominent part of your education, it’s important that the college you choose have the resources to help you on your way. What’s great about Hopkins is that the librarians have set up individual pages to guide you in your research with resources specific to your field. For example, the art history research guide provides access to search through the library catalogue as well as articles in various arts magazines. To start, I run “Jasper Johns” through the library catalogue search engine and discover a section full of books on the artist on campus at the MSE Library. I feel inclined to add that the entire D-Level of the library is made up of art history books. I locate the area on Johns and find everything from exhibition catalogues to books outlining his career. Then I see them: jackpot. First, I find a book that includes copies from Johns’s own sketchbook, which gives me unique insight into his thought process. Second, I find a very specific book on Johns’s use of lightbulbs, and since the work includes a bright red light that I wasn’t sure how to address, this will definitely help me as I approach my ideas on his work. I also several journals taking about the work at the time of its exhibition, including a work in a French. I check out my dozen books and spend that night going through them, finding everything from a visual analysis to what could be seen as Johns’s manifesto towards the treatment of objects.

My partners-in-crime for the past few weeks

Step Three: Write

After spending a lot of time in front of a blank document on my computer, having random ideas come to me as I walk around campus and as I’m falling asleep, I work on a first draft of the work. I try to introduce the piece using a book of essays from Alfred Barr Jr. (that I conveniently got from the library) and work through a visual analysis, finally consulting my massive pile of books that have been hanging out in my room. 10+ pages later, I’m ready to refine.

Step Four: The Unexpected

I approach my professor one day after lecture to talk about some of the concepts of pop and bring up that I’m writing my paper on Johns. She asks if I’ve looked at an exhibition catalogue put out by the National Gallery about Johns, which I had, and then adds that her friend curated that exhibit. What? She then adds that I should look at one of the essays in there…that she wrote. What?? Lastly, she casually mentions the few times when she met Jasper Johns. What??? Hopkins professors, if that doesn’t explain clearly enough, are really at the top of their fields and are incredible resources to have at your disposal.

Step Five: The Home Stretch

I make an appointment with the JHU Writing Center, which provides students with one-on-one meetings with their trained tutors to go over writing assignments. The person helping me gives me some really valuable insight as to how to improve my paper and really takes the time to establish my strengths and weaknesses. After taking those edits into consideration, I approach the final step which involves listing the images which I’ve referenced in my essay. This, however, is extremely easy since Hopkins students get free accounts to ArtSTOR where I can download high quality files of my images.

 

…and the rest, as they say, is (art) history. Cue “We Are The Champions.” Except that actually happened…Anyway, maybe it’s the fact that Jasper Johns and Johns Hopkins share the word “Johns” in their name, but it’s more likely Hopkins’s amazing resources that really made this paper possible. The resources at Hopkins really do make a difference, and it’s really made research not only accessible but enjoyable as well.

Relay for Life 2012

Posted by | Posted on April 16, 2012
Reply

It’s safe to say that everyone knows someone whose been affected by cancer, and this year’s Relay for Life at Hopkins was certainly a testament to that.

My dad and I in Baltimore for college visits -- a pretty accurate summary of our relationship

I signed up for Relay early in the fall and joined the Luminaria committee which is responsible for a ceremony that takes place the night of Relay to reflect on those who have been affected cancer. My earliest exposure to Relay was going each year to my oldest sister’s college to walk with my dad as he participated in the Survivor Lap. My dad was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma when I was in first grade, so while I wasn’t completely aware of what was going on as my parents tried to keep my understanding limited, it’s something that has had a lasting effect. The few memories of his fight with cancer that I do have involve him emerging from the bathroom with a newly shaven head and building my new desk the night before going in for surgery. I also have memories of the constant support: my first grade teacher bringing by food as I was getting ready for school and constant wishes for my dad and a speedy recovery. Finally learning that he was cancer-free, even at a young age, was an enormous relief and taught me to really appreciate life.

Everyone in Relay has their own story, their own connection to cancer, and that made us an incredibly motivated group of people. Throughout the year we held events like Kickoff and an a cappella fundraiser, Caroling for a Cure. Various committees such as sponsorship and marketing worked all throughout the year, but the bulk of my committee’s work was in the few weeks prior to Relay both selling luminaria and finally, the night of, placing and lighting the luminaria bags around the track. That night, Keyser quad was taken over by a moon bounce, food galore, and our luminaria lining the perimeter. Prior to that, though, writing the names of survivors and victims was more emotional than I anticipated; with more bags made “in memory of” than “in honor of,” it really makes me hope that with our efforts we’ll be able to make it the other way around with more survivors of cancer.

By the time the event started, the amount of people that showed up was really incredible, and only grew as the night went on. While weekends are usually spent studying and catching up on work or going out to parties, to see that people valued Relay that much was pretty cool. By the time we got to the Luminaria ceremony, everyone gathered around with glow sticks in hand, and as the committee leaders named a group of people (parents, grandparents, friends, oneself) who we were honoring through Relay, everyone lit their glow stick to show just how connected we all are by cancer. Seeing all of the support made me realize just how much Hopkins students care about each other as well as the things important to their peers.

In the end, we were able to raise a total of $64,561.43, which is incredible and will go on to help the American Cancer Society in countless ways, but at the same time it demonstrated the closeness of the community at Hopkins and how we come together to support a cause. I can’t express how much it meant to have my friends there with me that night; those with 4 midterms coming up this week (hi JHU_Ian!), those with papers due and invitations to parties all showed up, and for me, being at Relay with my dad in St. Louis, it meant a lot to have my friends around. As tough, but necessary, as it can be to deal with the uncertainties and unfortunate aspects of life, being able to do it with my friends made it all the more meaningful, and seeing how everyone at Hopkins came together to support the cause was just as incredible.

Art Imitates Life: Why Hopkins

Posted by | Posted on April 2, 2012
7

Congratulations Class of 2016!

By now, you’ve received your acceptance to Johns Hopkins University, leaving you with the pinnacle question of your Senior year: which school will you pick? While not as catchy as Rebecca Black’s dilemma of which seat should she take (clearly I haven’t come to terms with the fact that no one else listens to Friday anymore…), the months upon months of waiting have all led up to this. Now I really hate to make it sound this dramatic – you probably have an amazing list of schools from which to choose from – but in the coming days you’ll start to see what school will really fit you best. Not your parents, not your teachers, not your friends, but you.

Now, it’s often said that art imitates life. Why do I make this segue? As a society that holds the view that art is often a reflection of human experiences, conditions, and emotion, I thought I would explore how art imitates Hopkins, a place where I’ve been fortunate enough to spend the last few semesters expanding my horizons and learning more than I thought was possible. My goal is to show you not only comparisons between artworks and my time at Hopkins, but to explain what you can expect at a place like Hopkins, ultimately answering that all-so-important question: why Hopkins?

You’ll find that there’s always something going on

Alone in Gilman // Boccioni, Unique Forms of Continuity in Space, 1913

Just as Boccioni implied movement and dynamism in his works as a Futurist artist, Hopkins is a place where there is always something engaging to do. Whether it entails doing handstands when you and your best friend find yourselves alone in the Gilman Hut, or taking advantage of the numerous events taking place on or off campus, you’re bound to find yourself with a plethora of activities that will make your next four years meaningful and plain old fun.

You’ll make unforgettable friends

Vincent and I in D.C. // Kahlo, The Two Fridas, 1939

Hopkins is not only an environment full of beyond intelligent people but also a student body that is diverse and exciting. While Frida Kahlo expressed herself as two interconnected parts, you’ll make instant connections at Hopkins with friends who you’ll never forget. While Vincent, a math major from Paris, and I seem to mimic the connectivity of The Two Fridas, we also share hilarious experiences at Hopkins; we’ll be living together next year in a suite with JHU_Ian and I couldn’t be more excited.

You’ll test yourself and discover what you’re capable of

Rock Climbing During Pre-O // O'Keeffe, Shell and Old Shingle No. IV, 1926

Georgia O’Keeffe challenged the art world with her ideas of representation, whereas you’ll learn to challenge yourself and be amazed at how much you’re able to accomplish. Hopkins throws you into an academically-driven environment which is not a walk in the park, but this is truly for the best. I’ve learned to explore topics on an entirely new level of understanding and I continue to see my abilities as an art historian grow.

You’ll become part of a community

Dorm Room Picnic // Manet, Le déjeuner sur l'herbe (The Luncheon on the Grass), 1863

While Matisse’s realist work shocked the art community upon its earliest exhibition, what isn’t shocking about Hopkins is just how quickly you become part of a community, a family. It’s moments like dinners on the floor of your friend’s kitchen, studying late at night with your floormates, and the constant encouragement from those around you that remind you just how close-knit the community at Hopkins truly is.

You’ll find the charm of the city of Baltimore

32nd Street Farmers Market // Cézanne, Apples and Oranges, 1899

Cézanne stands as one of the most important colorists in the history of art, while Baltimore’s charm — the brights colors of the row homes, the fresh tastes of the local food, the sounds of a campus self-contained in a city — is something that can’t be missed. Not to mention, the people in the surrounding communities have proved to be some of the most generous and interesting that I’ve ever met.

You’ll learn what it means to work together

Late Night Subway // Rousseau, The Dream, 1910

Sometimes the workload at Hopkins can make you feel like you’re in a jungle, themes Rousseau explored in his Post-Impressionist paintings. However, this doesn’t create a competitive environment but rather a place where we support and encourage one another. One night I stayed up late with my friend Liana as she worked on a paper, periodically keeping her alert with “Eye of the Tiger” dance parties, complete with tiger face paint, a contrast to the tiger lurking in the grasses in The Dream. Hopkins is a place where students come to succeed, not bring each other down, and that’s clear in the sense of support and working together in classes and beyond.

You’ll explore the traditions

First Night // Rembrandt, The Night Watch, 1642

Rembrandt broke from the tradition of group portraiture, whereas Hopkins is a school rich with traditions, further creating a sense of group and unity. Traditions like First Night, the Lighting of the Quads, and Spring Fair are unique to Hopkins and give you a feeling of pride as you partake in events that have gone on for years.

You’ll be surprised by the unexpected

Holi Shenanigans // Matisse, La femme au chapeau, 1905

Fauvists such as Matisse revealed a much more spontaneous approach towards painting through brushwork and color, and I think that spontaneity is also reflected in life at Hopkins. Just yesterday I was walking by the Beach and saw my friends Tara and Malka at a petting zoo organized outside of the Homewood House, and after petting sheep and llamas, we preceded down the grass where we were engulfed in colored powders for Holi, the Festival of Colors, almost resembling a Fauvist work ourselves.

I think it really is these unexpected moments that most accurately answer the question “why Hopkins?” It doesn’t only happen when you suddenly find yourself covered in neon colors, but it also happens in the classroom, the library, the dorms, etc. Hopkins has continued to surprise me with just how many incredible opportunities there are, how intelligent and willing the professors are, how amazing the people are, and how being in such an environment pushes you to your absolute best. Yes, there are times when I feel like the work is too much, times when I even ask myself “why Hopkins,” but then when I look at the bigger picture – the unforgettable opportunities and spontaneous moments – I remember just how great it all really is. You really can do anything at Hopkins, and if you’re willing to commit to a rigorous yet rewarding education, you’ll discover just what makes Hopkins so special.

———————————————-

Thanks for reading what I hope has given you a better picture of life at Hopkins. Now is really the time to connect with us students if you have any questions – what solidified my choice of Hopkins was actually a conversation I had on the Forums – so take full advantage of these opportunities. Ask a question on the admitted students Facebook group, ask me a question on Twitter or the Forums, or even post a comment on this blog and I’ll reply right away. Good luck as you finalize your decision, and to those of you who choose Hopkins: congratulations and welcome to the incredible class of 2016!

“Art History? Why’d You Come To Hopkins For That?”

Posted by | Posted on March 19, 2012
5

Rauschenberg, National Museum of American Art, 2011

I was thinking about where I was just one year ago, a high school senior beyond anxious while awaiting college decisions, and realized that it’s probably best to just explain it as you’re all probably feeling right now: I just want to know already!! Well, very soon, you’ll have received all of your decisions and be faced with an even bigger dilemma: Where do I want to go? While I may not have the answer, although I do have a suggestion (see: Hopkins), and while we’re on the theme of “just wanting to know,” I thought I’d explain “all you need to know” about one of the best parts about Hopkins: art history. Since coming to Hopkins in the fall with the expectation that being an art history major here is so out-of-the-ordinary, and now feeling completely the opposite, I thought that I should write a blog solely about what it’s like studying the history of art at a school like Hopkins for those of you who may have the same doubts that I had.

So I may have just lost at least half of my readers – I mean art history, who wants to study that, let alone read a blog about it? – so if you’re one the valiant readers continuing, you’re most likely my hero. Why? Because you’re interested in art history! And even better than that, you’ve realized that Hopkins is one of the best places to do that. Why, you may ask? Well, here we go:

And P.S., as added incentive, we’re going to go delve back in time to my awkward teenage days taking pictures with art.

Pollock, Met, 2010

Unique Opportunities

Whether your interest is in research, art theory, or museology, Hopkins lets us art history majors take the classes that match our ambitions in the field. At the end of this semester after having taken just the two introductory art history courses, I’ll have written four papers – two visual analyses and two academic research papers – which is not only necessary when applying to internships but exposes you to the more research-focused side of art history. A lot of the art history classes are labeled as “writing intensive,” so if you enjoy digging deep into certain issues in the history of art, something I’ve found to be surprisingly rewarding, you can focus your curriculum around such courses. If you’re more intrigued by the ideas surrounding art in a more culturally-focused context, there are courses that will expose you to those ideas, while if you’re interested in art museums and how to deal with issues of exhibition and interpreting art for the public, the Museums & Society minor cross-lists many courses with the art history department to combine such topics. For example, one of the classes next year gives students the opportunity to reconsider the exhibition and installation of the East Asian art collection at the Walters Museum of Art – that’s pretty cool if you ask me. And speaking of museums, who could forget about Hopkins’ ideal…

Duchamp, MoMA, 2010

Location

It’s no surprise that Baltimore is thriving with the arts, and the numerous museums play a large role in that. If you’ve ever taken an art history class before, you know that slides only get you so far; actually experiencing the work, seeing it in the flesh, brings entirely new interpretations and new levels of learning to an art history education. So let’s start with the closest museum, the Baltimore Museum of Art, which is literally right next to campus. The museum boasts the largest collection of works by Matisse, which compliments its impressive collection of other European Impressionist works. There is also a great collection of European master works, American painting, sculpture, and decorative arts, (the department in which I currently work), non-western works, as well as modern and contemporary art in a smart and inventive way. The modern wing is currently undergoing a reinstallation, and the curator of the collection came to talk to our Intro to the Museum class and explain the exhibition; all I can say is it’s going to be amazing and open the public up to new ideas in contemporary art. In Mount Vernon, just a 15-minute, free bus ride away, is the Walters Art Museum, which houses ancient to Impressionist works, often displaying them in ways that give a better understanding of their original context. If for some reason this isn’t enough, DC is just a $7 train ride away, while it’s just as easy to take a bus to New York to experience the renowned collections there; I recently took a trip to see the New Museum’s exhibit The Ungovernables, so there’s really nothing keeping you away from the art scene there in the city. My Intro to Art History professor actually commutes from NYC, which reminds me that I should definitely talk about all of the amazing…

Pollock, Art Institute of Chicago, 2010 (Getting more awkward...)

Professors

The art history professors at Hopkins never cease to astound me in terms of their reputations and passion for the material. Even better is that no matter your focus in art history, there’s bound to be at least one professor who has specialized in that field and can guide you in your studies. From as general of concentrations from Modern to Early Christian and as specific as Early Modern Spanish to Northern Renaissance, the faculty not only knows their stuff, and knows it pretty darn well, but knows how to teach it in engaging and insightful ways. In the Fall, Dean Newman, the Dean of Arts & Sciences, invited art history students and the professors to her house for dinner and a lecture. It was a really great opportunity, and I got to talking with Professor Merback about how our loves for art history were both fostered by first practicing the visual arts. It’s incredible being around such intelligent (admittedly an understatement) professors who are also approachable and insightful about the field, which is especially helpful in discovering your…

Pollock, Art Institute of Chicago, 2008 (What a punk)

Focus and Secondary Field

As an art history major, the requirements involve taking two introductory survey courses, four courses focusing on four different time periods (ancient, medieval, Renaissance/Baroque, modern), and finally (but not limited to) three additional courses of your choosing. My interests revolve around modern and contemporary art, with a bit of French post-Impressionist thrown in, so the way that Hopkins sets up the major will let me get a focused education in the entire history of art while letting me get especially in depth with what interests me most. In addition to these major requirements, students choose a secondary field which shows specialized studies in an outside department, which can be anything from a language to museum studies to cultural studies, really whatever you like. By giving us the freedom to focus on our interests but framing that in an education that exposes us to many areas, Hopkins art history students are definitely a step above the rest, and we’re constantly being ranked with the top schools offering art history programs.

So, where do you go from here? Feel free to take my word that art history at Hopkins is incredible. Even at a school known for its sciences, Hopkins art history offers an education unlike any other that I encountered when visiting other schools, not only for the reasons above but also from the high level of academic excellence that comes from a school like Hopkins. Of course, it doesn’t hurt to do your research, either. Visit the art history website, ask a question about the major on the forums, or sit in on a class if you get the chance to visit. I can honestly say that I have no regrets in choosing to study art history, and Hopkins has only helped me maintain my love of the material while pushing me to new levels of understanding.

Good luck to everyone awaiting decisions! Keep a clear head and know that everything will soon be done!

The Spring Semester Turnaround

Posted by | Posted on March 6, 2012
4

Spring = Lacrosse

As any avid reader of my blog will remember, (hi mom, hi dad), by the time finals rolled around last fall, I was feeling pretty down on my luck. The stress that comes with attending a school as academically rigorous as Hopkins can sometimes be inevitable, but for the Spring semester, a time of amazing weather around Baltimore, I was determined to make a 180 from last semester. Spoiler alert: I did. How, you may ask? Well, it’s actually been pretty easy. Here’s how Hopkins and I have teamed up to make this semester so much better.

Classes

My schedule is AMAZING. Two 10 a.m. days, two 11 a.m. days, and one 1:30. Not only has my body thanked me for the excess of sleep, but my brain is just as happy with all of my beyond interesting classes this semester. Drumroll, please:

  • Intro to the History of European Art II: This class is the prime example of the spring semester turnaround. Professor Tuma is a much more engaging lecturer, while personally I’m much more interested in the material, covering Renaissance to modern art. Last section we walked around the BMA analyzing art, and in lecture the other day we laughed over the sayings Bruegel the Elder embedded in his work Netherlandish Proverbs. It’s been a lot more fun and I find myself paying a lot more attention in class.
  • Introduction to the Museum: Issues and Ideas: As much as I loved having Professor Rodini last semester, I’ve really been enjoying the more discussion-type style that this class offers. So far we’ve been looking at cases of cultural patrimony, museum stewardship, and museum display, all leading up to a white paper on a Baltimore museum, in my case the American Visionary Art Museum. Tomorrow Lonnie Bunch, the director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, is coming to give a talk, and at the end of the month we’re taking a class trip to the Newseum in D.C!
  • High-Intermediate French II: We’ve been reading a lot of interesting texts this semester in French, ranging from Persepolis to Le Deuxième Sexe, and with the Tournées Festival, Hopkins’ french film festival, continuing into this week, we’ve been watching a lot of interesting and contemporary movies. Vio’s friend was here on break from Sciences Po in Paris last week and she came to class with me; needless to say there were a lot of laughs.

  • Fun in photo

    Intro to Digital Photography: I’m really happy to be taking an art class this semester. Professor Ehrenfeld, who also teaches at MICA, is really good at getting us looking at all aspects of shooting in digital, and he’s planned some awesome field trips and assignments. This week we’re supposed to imitate the style of a photographer of our choice, and we’ve had a field trip to shoot at the Peabody Library Tomorrow we’re going to his studio in Hampden to work with lighting which should be pretty cool.

  • Perspectives on the Evolution of Structures: I don’t know how to sum up this class besides “cool structures.” My professor’s enthusiasm for teaching about “cool structures” is like nothing I’ve ever seen, and the material is actually pretty interesting too. We look at structures from buildings to bridges and analyze them based on scientific/social/symbolic aspects. Even better, it’s a civil engineering course but counts as writing intensive. We also use a program called MASTAN that let’s us create our own structures to see how they withstand certain forces and loads, so although its a bit out of my comfort zone, it’s been pretty fun.

Clubs

Like in the fall, this semester has been full of SAAB, Relay for Life meetings, and work at the BMA. This spring though, I’ve joined the Museums & Society Student Advisory Committee, and, since Tutorial Project didn’t fit in my schedule, I’ve also joined Art Brigade! The exclamation point is part of the name, but I think I would include it regardless; it’s my favorite club and the best part of my week. While some (JHU_Sydney) may look at us and think (via text), “Were you in a hipster club meeting today???” (direct quote), we have so much more to offer than just our hipster good looks. Once a week our group goes to the Carmelo Anthony Youth Development Center in East Baltimore and teach an art lesson to the kids. They’re all SO hilarious and you can really tell that they appreciate us coming. It’s been especially funny lately as the JHU Rugby Club has also been going to play sports with the kids at the same time we teach our class, so it’s been the artsy kids vs. the athletes trying to get kids to come do the projects. The other weekend we chaperoned them as they went to visit the Walters Art Museum, and trying to explain to a group of 1st grade boys why there’s nudity in art is quite honestly hilarious, aka I felt like a first grader myself and couldn’t stop laughing along with them.
Fun

On the roof of the New Museum

As the insightful Rebecca Black once said: Fun, fun, think about fun. As much as we may have ridiculed her before, I think she’s on to something. It’s pretty easy to get in the habit of spending the majority of your weekend in the library, but that’s not what college is about. For example, last week I had 3 papers and internship applications due, but I decided to go to New York for the weekend with my sister. Should I have stayed and done work for the weekend? Shmeh. But did I have an awesome time in New York? That’s an understatement, and I’m so glad I went. As Hopkins students we’re presented with the challenge of a strenuous workload, but it’s up to you to figure out how to handle that. I’ve figured out that if I can use my time a lot more efficiently, even if it means cutting back on Facebook, I can put in the same amount of time I did last semester but actually get everything I need to do done. This leaves time for – you guessed it – more fun, and I’m glad that I’ve been able to balance that and work a lot better this semester. The truth about Hopkins is that there are times when the work feels like too much, or there aren’t enough hours in the day, or maybe you just can’t do it all. However, if you fill your schedule with classes that work for you, which is easy when you don’t have a required set of foundation courses, consume yourself with clubs that you enjoy, and spend much-deserved time going out or staying in with friends, or even just sketching or watching a movie, you’ll find yourself a lot happier. Even though last semester brought me down, it’s more than easy to pick yourself up and turnaround your semester. No one’s going to hold your hand and help you have fun in college, but if you’re willing to make it a priority, you’ll definitely find it and be a lot more happier, too.

The Best of Baltimore

Posted by | Posted on February 20, 2012
3

When searching around for schools to apply to, one major factor was location. Sure I could have stayed in St. Louis eating toasted ravioli all day and hanging out with Nelly, but when else in life do you get the opportunity to pick where you want to live and explore life in a whole new city? (Spoiler alert: not often). So when I chose Hopkins, I couldn’t wait to come and find what makes the city of Baltimore so unique with shenanigans along the way. In order to give you an idea of just a few of the things that I love in Baltimore, here are some top 3 lists that explain some of the best parts about living here.

Note: All images are property of their respective owners and, unless original, link back to their source

Painting/Prints

The presence of the arts is strong in Baltimore; be it the impressive museums, nearby art school, or general vibe of the city, Baltimore offers a large exposure to anything from ancient to contemporary art. Below are my three favorite 2D works that I’ve seen so far in B’more.

Morris Louis, Alpha Eta, MICA Brown Center

Morris Louis spent a lot of his career in Baltimore studying, working, and teaching. His work in color field painting shows the influence of artists ranging from Frankenthaler to Noland, while the work itself shows an exploration of raw canvas and the flatness of the paint becoming the subject itself. After Louis’s death in ’62, his widow donated Alpha Eta to the Maryland Institute College of Art where it now hangs in one of their digital art buildings.

Mary Cassatt, Young Woman in Black (Portrait of Madame J), Baltimore Museum of Art

When I first visited the BMA during my first few days at Hopkins, I saw this painting and it really stuck with me. I was used to the subject matter of Cassatt’s that I had seen in the past, portraying pleasant scenes of a mother and daughter, but this work exposed me to a different side of her work. I think that the quiet drama of this painting, as well as the intense daylight against the dark form creates for a work that plays on human emotions at multiple levels.

Andrew Raftery, Open House Series, Baltimore Museum of Art

The BMA’s main exhibition right now is called Print by Print: Series from Dürer to Lichtenstein. The coolest part about this show is that it was organized by Hopkins students in a Museums course last year. It presents a wide range of subjects, styles, and techniques in their entirety from the BMA’s permanent collection. One of the most intriguing works for me was a series by east coast artist Andrew Raftery that explored the common idea of real estate open houses in a way that increased the tenseness of the situation and created a distance between the figures and their environment.

Sculpture

Hopkins is continually adding to their collection of sculptures, while Baltimore is a huge outlet for outdoor sculpture.

George Segal, Woman with Sunglasses on Bench, Johns Hopkins University

George Segal is a renowned sculptor most known for life-size plaster cast works. While his work is widely exhibited -- I saw one of his pieces at the Smithsonian American Art Museum the last time I was in DC -- Hopkins was given one of his works two years ago which was installed in the MSE Library. While the piece is easy to pass up in the bustle of the library, it calmly stands its ground and invites contemplation from the often unexpected viewer.

Tony Smith, Spitball, Baltimore Museum of Art Sculpture Garden

The BMA Sculpture Garden is great because 1) it’s literally right next to campus, if not on it, and 2) it’s really one of the coolest places in Baltimore. Whether you’re just walking through or coming to check out the dozens of contemporary sculptures, it’s a really calm and exciting piece. As hard as it to pick one favorite piece, I had to go with minimalist sculptor Tony Smith’s work, because the large planes of flat painted steel create really unique shadows while the form changes with the perspective of the viewer.

Jonathan Borofsky, Male/Female, Penn Station
When Borofsky’s sculpture was installed outside of Penn Station in 2004, it definitely got mixed reviews. Personally, I really enjoy the work, its combination of steel and lighting, and its position outside of the central train station in Baltimore. Its enormous presence is undeniable, but its implication of equality  is universal.

Music

Baltimore is a great place to be for anyone who loves music, as the local venues and those nearby in DC bring about so many performers every year . These are my 3 favorite bands that all have some connection to Baltimore.

Future Islands -- Balance

Future Islands is an incredible band that plays new wave music that can put you in a delightfully chill mood. Not only are they based in Baltimore but they even played at last year’s JHU Spring Fair. Although I was just one year off from getting to see them, my expectations are high for this year’s Spring Fair lineup.

Animal Collective -- Brothersport

Animal Collective brings back countless high school memories of driving around St. Louis with friends jamming to their eclectic songs. The four members of the group all went to school in Baltimore County where they started out their career. Everything from their progressive beats to their downright kooky music videos, (the one above involving children wearing animal masks and neon water balloons, culminating in casual egg-painting/paint fighting dance party), make this band truly in a league of their own.

Dan Deacon -- Paddling Ghost

Dan Deacon’s experimental, electronic and energetic music is pretty out there, but that’s what makes it so great. His performances are supposedly indescribable (in the best way possible) and since he’s a Baltimore-based artist, he frequently has shows in the area.

Free Things

Just because you’re on a college budget doesn’t mean there aren’t tons of things to around Baltimore for free.

The Book Thing

I went to The Book Thing for the first time with some floormates and was amazed at just how unique of a place it is. Basically they accept donations of books, shelve them, and then let anyone come and take as many books as they could possibly want…for free. Seriously, I walked out with a book on art history, a french dictionary, Huis Clos, and Candide, all for free. It’s a simple but ingenious concept and puts unwanted books into the hands of those who can use them.

Museums

The Baltimore Museum of Art in Charles Village and the Walters Art Museum in Mount Vernon (pictured above) are extremely close to campus and extremely free (if that’s even a thing). The Walters houses ancient to impressionist art, while the BMA’s collection ranges from non-western works to contemporary. The museums hold regular events, lectures, and exhibits, the majority of which are also free to the public.

Inner Harbor

It’s easy and yes, free, to get to the Inner Harbor to the spend the day walking around or go out for dinner by the water. It’s nice to know that you can always get there (did I mention for free?) and have a fun day off campus.

Restaurants

I’m going to attempt to keep my obsession with food at a moderate level while I highlight my three favorite Baltimore restaurants.

Carma’s Cafe

About two  blocks away form my dorm is a little place called Carma’s. Personally I think their sandwiches are beyond good, especially the tuna, and they have homemade deserts including blueberry marshmallows. My friend got their meatball sub last time we were there and its been on my mind ever since.

Papermoon Diner

Papermoon Diner is walking-distance from campus and exemplifies quirkiness. I’m a fan of their burgers and milkshakes, but, if you’re not distracted by the jumble of found objects cluttered around the dining rooms, you’re sure to find favorites of your own on the menu.

University Market (Uni Mini)

 Uni Mini is, unfortunately for my health, about a block away from dorm and open 24 hours. It’s a late-night favorite at Hopkins from their breakfast sandwiches to hoagies to addicting mozzarella sticks all served up inside a convenience store. I may or may not have gotten hungry while writing this and gotten Uni Mini, hence the picture above.

————-

Now, I really could go on and on about what makes Baltimore so crazy, enjoyable, and special, but why ruin all the fun? Personally, I can’t wait to spend the next 3+ years finding more and more of the things that make Baltimore so unique. Maybe it’s even the aspects that can’t be categorized in a list that make Baltimore so great. From the people you meet to the sense of community, there’s literally so much about Baltimore that can only be understood by coming here. You really can find the charm in Charm City if you’re willing to get out and explore the city, and trust me: it’s worth it.

The Real McCoy

Posted by | Posted on February 7, 2012
4

 

“This is the true story of 31 strangers, picked to attend Johns Hopkins University and live in McCoy Hall, hang out together and have their lives documented (via this blog) to find out what happens when freshmen stop studying Orgo and start getting real…The Real McCoy”

Okay, so 1) hopefully you understand the Real World reference. I don’t even know if that show’s still on, but when I was younger that show was unjustifiably cool, but moving on, 2) unfortunately MTV will not be producing a series based on the life of us freshmen on McCoy Terrace. I say unfortunately because dorm life is one of my favorite parts about being at Hopkins, and this is all supported by the ridiculous amount of crazy/hilarious/unexplainable moments that define our floor. Having such a long winter break really made me miss my floor, so it’s been good being back with everyone once again. In all fairness, I’m sure that everyone at Hopkins has tight bonds with their floors, but this blog is dedicated to what makes McCoy such a fun place to be.

My floor when we were still in the semi-awkward stage of not knowing each other our first few days at Hopkins

For starters, McCoy Hall is unique in that it’s primarily sophomore housing. For freshmen, there are essentially four options for housing: AMR I/AMR II, Building A & B (both of which are on the freshman quad), Wolman and McCoy (which are across the street from the Beach). The first three options are made up of entirely freshmen, whereas just the terrace level and part of the first floor of McCoy are freshmen. What this means is that we all bonded extremely quickly and have stayed close ever since.

On a side note, here’s a video of JHU_Sydney’s tour of McCoy Terrace from when she lived here freshman year. (Did you know she eats 14 meals a day? That’s what I call cool). You can also check out all of the Hopkins CRIBS videos here to get a better idea of all the freshman housing options.

So while it can be an adjustment being around people so much, (of course there’s always the privacy of your own room, but our floor really likes being in our common room), I think I first realized how cool it is when over Orientation week everyone was waiting for some us to get back after we had gone out for the night. We have a really solid sense of community which has led to a lot of fun in the last few months, including (but definitely not limited to) : potlucks, scary movie marathons, paint fights, hours upon hours of video games, very late night studying and subsequently UniMini visits, and countless other shenanigans. I think that having a good floor can definitely help shape your freshman year, and I’m lucky to have found that.

Game faces on before Freshman Dorm Wars

Michele and my friend Vio at the Farmer's Market

Another great thing about McCoy Terrace, and I think my entire floor would agree, is our RA, Michele. Basically the role of an RA is to make sure that housing policies are being followed, but from what I’ve seen at Hopkins they go far beyond that. Our RA is always sure to keep us up-to-date on events around campus, and, knowing that food is the key to making any college student happy, made us pancakes when he had to wake up early to register for classes, got us bagels on the first day of each semester, and introduced us to the magic that is mug cakes. In addition to appeasing our stomachs, Michele’s a really positive person who can put you in a good mood and help with any concern you may have, no matter how busy she may be. Partiality aside, everyone around campus seems to really like their RA’s and how they helped with the transition from high school to Hopkins.

It can be tough for some to leave home and deal with the independence of college, but I think that having such a tight-knit floor that pretty much became a family made the process a lot easier and definitely a lot more fun. I’ve made a lot of my closest friends on my floor and I’ve found that the best way to de-stress is to simply sit in our common room and joke around with everyone for hours on end. With Hopkins being such a diverse school in terms of interests, backgrounds, and personalities, you’re bound to be surrounded by intelligent people that are fun to be around and care about you at the same time. Should you make the decision that Hopkins is the school for you, (I recommend it) you’re bound to have some unforgettable moments and make some extremely tight bonds with those just doors away from you.

“One Day…” Is Sooner Than It Seems

Posted by | Posted on January 21, 2012
2

The St. Louis Art Museum

Winter break included a plethora of smiles

Earlier this week I went to an exhibit of Monet’s Water Lilies at the St. Louis Art Museum. Although I’m not the biggest Monet fan, the exhibit banked on the fact that the museum was reuniting one of their most highlighted works, a large oil impressionist painting of water lilies, with its accompanying panels, showing the triptych in its entirety for the first time in over 30 years. While bringing the panels together did offer a different interpretation of the work, showing Monet almost as a precursor to abstract expression through his later works at Giverny, I’m extremely excited about two things that will also be reunited very, very soon: me and Hopkins. After watching probably a dozen movies, visiting 5 teachers from high school, accommodating a 7-hour time difference with most of my Hopkins friends in Italy and France, a 52 oz. Slurpee challenge (gross), 3 seasons of The Sarah Silverman Program and one dance off with strangers we met in a Sonic parking lot, I’d say it’s been a winter break well spent, but I’m also more that ready to go home to Hopkins and start off the new semester.

Seeing as I haven’t been at school for over a month, I don’t have too much on the Hopkins front to talk about, so I thought I would talk about some of the resources Hopkins provides that have been getting me more and more excited for the future. In Wafa’s last blog Let’s Talk Reality Check, she explained how there comes a time when we begin to follow through with our aspirations, things so easily expressed in words and just left at that. One of the greatest parts in coming to Hopkins has been realizing that all of the things I’ve said I want to do with my life can actually happen. The opportunities really do seem countless and this long winter break has given me an excess of time to not only think about how I’d like to shape my experience at Hopkins but also how I can make it happen. Here’s are just a few of the things I’d like to do in my time here, (maybe some of my goals are similar to your own) and how Hopkins is helping me to make it possible.

Summer Museum Internship

A screenshot of the interactive map I made for my Intro to the Museum class showing the development of the St. Louis Art Museum since the 1900's

While I’m still trying to figure out if I could balance a job and an internship this summer, I feel that, since I’m going into a field that depends a lot on prior experience, it would be valuable to try to get museum involvement over the summer. I’m especially thankful for the Student Employment Services which made it simple to apply to jobs in the beginning of the year and helped me land my job at the Baltimore Museum of Art, something I’m hoping will help me out when I apply for internships. I’ve been continually impressed by Hopkins’ attention to museum careers; for example, the Program in Museums & Society held a Museum Internship Resume Workshop in November. Professionals from the Maryland Science Center, Walters Art Museum, Maryland Zoo, and Jewish Museum of Maryland (where a practicum course is being held this semester) came to campus to offer insight into what museum employers look for in an applicant and the resume and interview process. The Museums minor also has a database outlining open museum positions around the country to help students like myself in our search for opportunities. Sure, careers in the museum are extremely competitive, but I feel a lot of support coming from Hopkins to help. After finding internships around St. Louis that I plan on applying to, this break has given me a lot of time to work on my resume. The JHU Career Center has a lot of resources that have helped me in creating my resume so far, and the advice from the Museums workshop has given me a good idea of the direction in which I should focus. Once I get back I’ll meet with the Career Center to look over my materials, submit my applications, and hope for the best for a potentially awesome summer.

Studying Abroad

My friend Vio took this picture from her flat the morning she left for Hopkins

I’ve always dreamed of going to France: walking around the Musée d’Orsay, visiting the Centre Pompidou, and being immersed in the French language. It’s crazy to think that, within the next two years, this dream could actually become a reality. The Office of Study Abroad suggests meeting with them by the end of your freshman spring semester, especially since you can study abroad as early as your sophomore spring or as late as your senior fall, so I plan on doing that soon after getting back to campus. I’m anxious to determine when it will be best for me to study abroad, but it also seems like a fairly nerve-racking experience. While we do have family friends who live in France, I’ve also made three extremely close friends at Hopkins from France, one of whom’s parents I’ve met, so it will be nice to have that kind of support around me. Over break I’ve been looking a lot at the various programs and, as an art history and french student, there are a lot of programs that will fit my interests and still help me get the credits I need. I haven’t met JHU_Sarah yet as she’s been abroad in Spain this semester, but in reading her blogs it seems that she was able to find an amazing program to fit her major in Mol Cell Bio and Spanish. I’m really excited to see how my vision of spending a semester (or more?) in France could actually happen in the near future.

Pursuing Art

I will admit that not taking an art class my first semester affected me more than I expected; as someone who was thinking about pursuing a BFA for a pretty significant amount of time, it was hard not taking art for the first time in years. I expected my abundance of interesting classes and time doing art on the side to make up for this, but I began realizing that it’s still a part of my life and not just something that I can put to the side. Seeing as Hopkins doesn’t offer a minor in art (but does offer the Homewood Arts Certificate) I realized that I needed to take art classes even though they won’t be taken into account for my major or minor requirements. Over break I’ve had a lot of time to work on independent art projects which has been much needed, and I’m really excited to start my Introduction to Digital Photography class this Spring. It’s a small class of 10 students where we’ll work on both shooting portraiture, landscape, still life, etc. and editing our work on Photoshop. Even though it’s not a required class, I think gaining Photoshop skills will be useful, especially in seeing how new media has become increasingly prominent in curation practices. Next year I’ll have the opportunity to take classes at MICA, the Maryland Institute College of Art, and although it may mean having to pass on certain classes at Hopkins in order to a fit a 4-6 hour studio class into my schedule, I’ve realized that it’s something I have to do. I’m really excited to getting back to my art in a classroom setting and taking advantage of art at both MICA and Hopkins.

Hopefully some of my ambitions match a few of your own and give you an idea of how Hopkins helps make them possible. If not, that’s cool too! One of the greatest things about Hopkins is that there are literally so many opportunities to help you follow what you’re passionate about, and trust me, it’s a pretty cool feeling when you see them begin to lay out. Thanks for reading my (rather lengthy) post, I’m excited to be blogging next time after coming back to Hopkins!

Thinking Locally in B’More

Posted by | Posted on January 3, 2012
4

Kickin' in the backseat

Greetings from Springfield, Missouri! Since I decided not to take Intersession classes over break, and therefore have a ridiculously long winter break, I’ve had so much time to spend with my friends and family, including driving to Springfield where my sister goes to school to spend a few days with her. Break so far has been really fun; in all honesty, finals pushed me pretty hard, so it’s been really nice having a lot of time (maybe even too much time?) to relax. Plus, now that the semester’s over, I can reflect on what I should do the same and what I need to do differently in order to do well in my classes. I’m actually really looking forward to getting back into the swing of school now that I have this new perspective on classes, and I think I have a really good semester ahead of me. But back to break, my oldest sister got to come in town from Ohio for the holidays and my friend who’s been serving in the Marines for months got to come in town for two weeks, so there’s been a lot of catching up to do. It’s pretty strange being back – it almost feels like we’re still in high school again, especially when singing “Sweet Caroline” at the top of our lungs while driving to get Steak ‘n Shake – but it’s been a lot of fun and I’m glad that our friendships have stayed just as strong despite us all being in different places for school.

Coming home = SO many babies

However, just because I’m in Missouri for break didn’t stop me from bringing Baltimore back with me, especially for the holidays. What’s so great about Baltimore is the sense of community among everyone who lives here. One of my favorite things to do on a Saturday morning is to walk over to the 32nd Street Farmer’s Market and buy delicious food (check out Purna’s blog and pictures here). It’s always pretty busy but the vendors are always eager to talk to you about their food – one woman who runs a soup stand gave me a recipe to make inexpensive soup in my dorm just because she wanted to. People here really look after one another and that’s just one of the things that makes it so great. I brought some apple butter with me back to St. Louis (I’m very glad it didn’t explode in my luggage…) as a way to bring back my excitement about the Farmer’s Market with me.

Inside the show

Another way I brought Baltimore home with me was through the gifts I bought for the holidays. During reading period I went to a craft show a few blocks from campus organized by the Charm City Craft Mafia. Despite their name and notions that it would be full of mobsters, there were dozens of MICA students, local artists, and independent craftspeople who came to sell their original prints, clothing, jewelry, textiles, etc. The atmosphere created when innovative artists come together for the sake of art is pretty amazing, and you can really get a sense of Baltimore’s charm, mixed with a little bit of quirk, when looking at the array of works. I left with quite a lot of stuff, (me, art, and self-control to not buy everything don’t mix too well) but here are some of my favorite things that I got from the show:

I got this woodblock print of a corkscrew for our SAAB Holiday Party which JHU_Erica got in our game of White Elephant. The artist sold prints and textiles on which she printed images of household objects one-by-one. (Image courtesy of Open Eyes Press)

My mom’s car is full of reusable grocery bags so I got her this silk-screened canvas bag. I thought I would add little bit of whim to her collection, plus if anything has original typography, I’m sold.

They say around the holidays that it’s better to give than to receive, so I decided to give myself this shirt, which I happily accepted. The couple behind the intricate designs, The 50/50 Company, also had some really unique prints that you can see in the picture below.

Hopefully this gives you an idea of how strong the sense of community is in Baltimore. People really make an effort to support local artists, vendors, restaurants, and basically anything that helps to define the city, so the idea of a local community becomes strong and thriving. I feel really fortunate to get to explore Baltimore and experience the unique charm of the city every day, and I’m pretty excited to get back to Hopkins and discover more of what’s out there.

This Too Shall Pass

Posted by | Posted on December 18, 2011
2

Pretending to understand the work left up in a study room

Oh, finals. Even though you allowed me to set my alarm much later since we had no classes during reading period and finals week, you were still nothing short of a wake up call.

Finals are challenging at any school – that’s no surprise – but for some reason they really took a toll on me. Maybe it was the hours of studying each day, or being sick for my last two finals, or just the pressure that naturally comes with taking tests that have a big impact on your total grade in a class. In high school I was always calm around finals week, and with tests in general, so it kind of caught me off guard when the stress of finals starting getting to me so badly. Part of this came from seeing how others dealt with finals. What was most interesting to me in the past two weeks was that, in the absence of classes, there were a lot of people who were rarely studying. Maybe it was just “freshman fall covered grades syndrome,” but it made me question that Hopkins stereotype that everyone’s in the library 24/7.

I’ve come to learn that there are a lot of people here who are, to put it bluntly, just insanely smart, and for them the learning comes naturally. It’s definitely not to say that the people who didn’t need to work in high school don’t need to work here. Further, it’s not to say that this approach even works. In high school, I had to work hard to get satisfactory grades – I was no “straight A” student – so coming here I’ve had to work incredibly hard to achieve the understanding of the material and therefore grades that I can be proud of. However, it still made me a little confused to come back to my dorm after studying for hours and see people in our common room who had just been relaxing all day. At the same time, the majority of my friends did and do work incredibly hard, so it’s not like I was always alone in the library. It was just interesting to see the divide between people taking our first semester of finals seriously and others seeming not to think about it at all, but I guess comparing my approach at school with that of my peers doesn’t get me far.

The sculpture garden next to campus is the perfect place to take a break from studying and read

In my opinion, it’s all a matter of what you expect from yourself. I’m here to study art history, something I take very seriously, which is why it frustrated me being sick and not being able to put in the hours of studying that I needed for the final. However, I chose Hopkins over the other universities and art schools that I applied to because I wanted to be challenged academically, and that’s exactly what I got over finals week. And while, sure, I’m here to study art history, I’m also here for new experiences and to learn things that I couldn’t elsewhere. The last two weeks weren’t terrible, they were full of potlucks and dinners, trips to the farmer’s market, getting to go into the vault of modern art at work at the BMA, and reviewing material that genuinely interests me and gets me excited about my future, one that Hopkins is helping me realize.

The past two weeks have definitely put things into perspective. Hopkins is a challenge, but I believe that it’s something I’ll be able to keep up with and a place where I can succeed. While the stress of finals will soon pass, the rigor of Hopkins is here to stay for the next seven semesters; regardless, it’s important to stay focused on my passions and have confidence that I can do this.

The true sign that I'm home (and the best medicine known to man, sorry pre-meds!): matzo ball soup

Coming home yesterday for a six week winter break was a breath of fresh air. I was greeted at the airport by my mom, St. Louis Bread Co, (Panera as I’ve learned practically everyone else in America calls it), and all the Kleenex I could dream of. I’ve seen my friends and woken up with no obligations for the day. I know this relaxation will be beyond nice, but I also know that, very soon, I’ll be anxious to get back to my classes, friends, and home at Hopkins. Until then, it’s time to spend time with my family and friends here and appreciate how fortunate I’ve been to have a pretty amazing first semester. Sure, Hopkins is a challenge, there’s no getting past that, but it’s one that’s well worth it and I’m proud to be a student at a university that’s pushing its students to new places.