The Brown Noser

Issue date: 4/24/09 Section: Arts & Leisure

Media Credit: Jeff Olshan Parks' performance piece entailed destroying the work of all his peers

Students of Professor Joshua Zimbinski's VA 10: "Studio Foundation" class reportedly grew irate Wednesday when classmate Robert Parks '11 destroyed their projects in the name of "artistic expression." "It was a performance piece," explained Parks. "I was representing through action the engulfing rage and envy that burns in the furthest depths of my soul."

Classmates, however, did not see matters in the same light. Kyle Benningham '10 was among the most furious. "The engulfing rage and envy that burns in his soul? How about I set his face on fire to express how much I think he's a bastard. You think that would be a decent piece?"

Other students were more reasonable. "I understand where Robert was coming from," said William Huffington '11. "After all, I myself am quite familiar with the medium of performance art. I once organized a show in the Times Square subway station in which I farted the 'Star Spangled Banner' while my friend made a cheese, onion, and shards of glass omelet on a hot plate. A local independent paper called it a revealing insight into modern American imperialism and its ties to consumer culture." Huffington added, concerning Parks' project, "That being said, I think there is a time and a place for that radical sort of art form, and an intro art class may not be it. I mean, Sheila spent a good hour or so on that sequin-covered desk lamp. Now it's shattered to pieces in the List dumpster. Art should come from, not go to, the trash."

Professor Zimbinski agreed with Huffington's sentiments. "The Department of Visual Art seeks to nurture creative expression in whatever form it may take. I've seen self-portraits drawn in urine, mock umbilical cords weaved from real umbilical cords, bouquets composed of the severed toes of frozen hobos. Heck, I've even given an A to a student who refused to submit any project, out of artistic nonconformism." Zimbinski added, "This is a learning environment, though, and students must respect the projects of others, no matter how crappy they may be."

Parks resolutely defended his work in the face of such criticism. "They simply don't understand real, painfully honest artistic expression."

Although he faced much opposition, one student was happy about Parks' piece. Carol Oates '12 argued, "I actually think Robert improved a lot of the projects, mine included. Who knew a heaping trash pile of splintered wood and plastic would make good art?"

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