SPOTLIGHT ON: Sarah Simon

Photography has been a part of junior psychology major and geography and communication double minor Sarah Simon’s life since she was a young and inquisitive 7-year-old growing up in New York City. Since then, Simon has continued to explore her potential through photography and has found it to be incredibly rewarding. Simon explained that her father—an avid proponent of visual arts and one of Simon’s greatest influences—was the first one to support her in her artistic endeavors; he noticed his daughter’s talent after she stole his digital camera one day when walking in Central Park. Simon noted that her father was pleasantly surprised when the pictures on his camera were more than the expected clumsy snapshots of a 7-year-old. Simon distinctly recalled the moment when her father said to her, “You have the eye.”

Simon emphasized that she has always seemed to be aware of the power of visuals, noting that she views visual art as a “holistic experience that is more universal than reading a message.” She describes her style as cinematic, as she loves taking photos of people. Simon’s portraits, however, are about more than the final product. They’re about the collaboration of those both in front of and behind the camera.

“You’re both contributing to this,” Simon said. “The picture is what happens and it’s a reflection of both of your work.”

The importance of connection between photographer and subject was highlighted for Simon over the summer as she interned with fellow photographer and New York City native Michael Cinquino. Gaining professional experience with photography is critical for Simon, as she simultaneously navigates the art world while attending school. For “real world” practice, she relies on her internship at the Genesee Sun and on projects that she sets up for herself, sometimes collaborating with other students.

One of Simon’s favorite current projects is her collection of Instagram works in her “Light Series.” Simon noted that she loves the unique and experimental nature of the series. “It’s basically random shadows and whatever I see that involves light in some way,” she said. “Photography is the study of light, so I have a lot of latitude with it.” Photos in Light Series range from neon streetlights to shadows created by natural light.

Simon’s online presence continues on her Flickr page, where she puts her favorite shots. Simon noted that she is proud of the success she has had through these online accounts.

“I think we live in a society that is repugnant towards narcissism … but showing your face is something you have to do, especially if you want to get out there in art,” she said.

While not entirely photography-oriented, Simon showcases her love of the creative in another project: the performance art group Womb Rumors where she works with junior Alex McGrath and sophomore Tess Ramos-Dries. Each individual has a different role, with McGrath creating the music, Ramos-Dries dancing and Simon reciting poetry. In addition, Simon works with McGrath in a photo and music mash-up.

Simon’s biggest piece of advice to fellow photographers is to listen to their inner voice and to strive to stay present and aware of their environment.

“You have to be open to the opportunity,” Simon said. “There are times when I’m in the middle of the street and it would not be convenient for me to take a photo, but something in me is like, ‘You need to take a photo.’”

Simon explained that she is hoping to take her photography to the next level with a Geneseo ambassadorship for a project that she has proposed. “It will involve going to three different countries and photographing teachers in the classroom. And so that, again, draws on people,” Simon said. “But also, I like thinking about teachers; when they work in the classroom, it is a performance. They use their hands and their bodies to express to you what they want you to learn. It’s beautiful.”

An ambassadorship is just one goal of Simon’s, but her real aspiration is to keep doing what she loves. “If you take a picture, it beats not taking a picture,” she said.

Geneseo Art Wall contest provides imaginative outlet for community

In an effort to display the creative talent within the Geneseo community, the first ever Geneseo Art Wall contest is currently in the process of accepting submissions. The contest is searching for local artists who can incorporate the Geneseo community into their artwork’s theme. Once three finalists are selected, their pieces will be on display on a temporary wooden wall at 71 Main St. The contest’s only limitation is that the artists must be at least high school age. By allowing a diverse range of ages to submit, it is apparent that the Geneseo Art Wall contest is allowing for Geneseo’s varied population to come together as one.

Although the pieces will only be on display at 71 Main St. so long as the construction endures, Geneseo residents will be able to walk past this civic reflection and be reminded of what it means to be from Geneseo—onlookers can admire the work of the community, for the community, by the community. Moreover, of the three selected finalists, it is the visitors who are going to vote on which piece should win “Best in Show.”

“We thought it’d be great to have a chance for Geneseo Main Street to have some artwork,” Livingston County Development intern junior Caroline Wilson said. “One of the things that we want to emphasize is combining the community and the college. Originally, we thought we would just do the college, but then we thought, ‘Why not see what everybody can bring to the table?’ and get to showcase people from all over the community.”

Taking into consideration the recent deaths of seniors Kelsey Annese and Matthew Hutchinson, a strong sense of unity should be stressed more than ever. The Geneseo Art Wall contest only serves to make Geneseo pride that much more tangible.

“Geneseo is such an impressive community and everybody here loves it. Everybody is proud to be a part of Geneseo,” Wilson said. “That being said, though, people will have these different takes on the theme and I think that different things are going to be important to different people … We want to see what people will come up with about Geneseo.”

The Geneseo Art Wall contest will serve as a reminder that art will always be around in Geneseo, even when funding for the fine arts is diminishing here on campus.

“It’s definitely a bummer that we don’t have a fine arts department now and that there’s not as many opportunities for people to use their creativity in that way, although the option is still there,” Wilson said. “So I think this will be a great outlet for that and it’d be nice to bring some art back to campus.”

The Geneseo Art Wall contest will be accepting submissions until Monday Feb. 1. The three selected pieces will then be up on the temporary wall by Feb. 29, in order for the community to come together as one—in viewing the art and in the art itself. Once the temporary wall is dismantled, the pieces will be transferred to a different location on Main Street befitting of the four by four foot designs.

“[The artwork] will definitely be a positive representation of Geneseo,” Wilson said.

“Making a Murderer” exposes unethical conduct within U.S. justice system

The Netflix original documentary “Making a Murderer” sparked considerable controversy after its release in December 2015. This series generated a lot of hype through both the Internet and traditional media. All over the country, people have been posting their own theories about the documentary, demanding justice for Steven Avery. “Making a Murderer” centers on Avery, a small town man from Manitowoc, Wisconsin. In 1985, Avery was wrongly convicted of sexually assaulting Penny Beerntsen, which resulted in his 18-year wrongful imprisonment. Fast-forward to 2003 when Avery is finally released from jail after new evidence led to the conviction of a different man responsible for assaulting Beerntsen; that’s where the documentary begins.

“Making a Murderer” follows Avery through a new case for which he is being tried. This time, he is accused of murdering Teresa Halbach, who disappeared after leaving Avery’s property. Watching this documentary is proof of how the United States’ justice system is riddled with corruption.

Avery is fortunate to have two incredibly honest and fair lawyers defending him in this trial, and they prove the prosecution wrong time and time again. Prosecutor Ken Kratz clearly has it out for Avery from day one. Watching Kratz speak so negatively against Avery can be frustrating at times, especially since all of the evidence that he presents to the jury is tainted. But with the entire Manitowoc County police department on his side, his confidence is steadfast throughout this case.

The drama continues when Avery’s 16-year-old nephew Brendan Dassey comes forward and confesses to accompanying Avery in murdering Halbach. Dassey is very impressionable and easily swayed by interrogators. Furthermore, Dassey struggles with learning disabilities and is only at a fourth grade reading level. It’s deplorable that the Manitowoc County neglected to take this important fact into consideration when using Dassey as a witness.

“Making a Murderer” is a fantastic representation of the supreme corruption that lies within the justice system. It’s difficult to even use the word “justice” after watching this documentary. The prosecution and the judge in Avery’s trial fail to recognize that a defendant is innocent until proven guilty, and Avery is never given the benefit of the doubt.

Avery’s lawyers Dean Strang and Jerry Buting are the shining lights in this series. Their knowledge is expansive and they are true professionals. They faithfully and—more importantly—rationally defend Avery.

The Avery family comes from a very simple, rural background. As the documentary proceeds, issues within the family are uncovered. Nevertheless, like Avery’s lawyers, Avery’s parents Allan and Dolores Avery unwaveringly stick by their son.

Regardless of the fact that Steven Avery faces a troublesome life, it’s heartwarming to see his parents support him unconditionally and illustrate their tight family bond. Issues with the law tend to tear families apart and it certainly does this to members of the Avery family. Steven Avery, however, is fortunate to have his parents trust in his innocence.

This documentary is full of cliffhangers and unexpected twists that keep the audience on their toes throughout the entire series. It’s hard not to empathize with Steven Avery, even though he is accused of such a heinous crime. His defense is resilient, which provides a glimmer of hope within the U.S. justice system.

“Making a Murderer” provides a thorough look into the corruption that lies within our courtrooms. “Innocent until proven guilty” doesn’t necessarily prevail and this documentary serves as an important window into the ramifications of being accused of a crime you did not commit.

Star Wars returns with same thrill, fresh dynamic

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, the original Star Wars trilogy entranced the world with its epic space graphics and valiant heroes—something the prequel trilogies didn’t seem to offer with their constant talk of politics and weak writing. The newest installment of the Star Wars films—Star Wars: The Force Awakens—revitalized not only the pure excitement of the original series, but also nostalgia and appreciation for the franchise. Taking over for director George Lucas, J.J. Abrams reignited the spark that the first films had with a trio of highly likable heroes and the reappearance of fan favorites such as Han Solo—played by Harrison Ford—Leia Organa—played by Carrie Fisher—and Luke Skywalker—played by Mark Hamill.

The film’s plot is similar to the first film, Star Wars: A New Hope, following rogue stormtrooper Finn—played by John Boyega—and scavenger Rey—played by Daisy Ridley—as the two unlikely heroes team up with Solo and Chewbacca to fight with the Resistance against the new villain of the galaxy: Kylo Ren—portrayed by Adam Driver—and the First Order.

Ren serves as a “misunderstood” villain, throwing silly hissy fits if something doesn’t go his way. Attempting to follow in Darth Vader’s footsteps, Ren’s villainous nature helps bring back memories of the first film. Although he has great potential, Ren’s character seems somewhat underdeveloped; lacking a backstory or a strong motive. Hopefully, this will be something that is expanded upon in later films.

Ridley shines in her role as the daring, independent female protagonist. She has huge potential to become a positive role model for young girls with her new identity as a Jedi-in-training. Boyega, on the other hand, serves as the determined and loyal companion to Rey and his action and wit help the team move along. The valiant and highly skilled pilot Poe Dameron—played by Oscar Isaac—completes the trio as he works to stop the First Order and their plans to destroy the Resistance.

It’s hard not to believe that Finn, Rey and Poe will become the new faces of the franchise, replacing the Han, Luke and Leia trio. Even other new additions like the energetic and adorable BB-8 seem promising in continuing to entertain audiences, a change from previous additions like the infamous Jar Jar Binks in the prequels.

The trio’s diversity and relatable humor amongst characters like Finn and Han are what made the film so likeable, even for audience members who have no knowledge of the previous films. It’s hard for a film like Star Wars to be appreciated the same way it was originally, especially when audiences today are spoiled with such thrilling and stellar graphics. The characters, however, really aided in making the film more welcomed by today’s audience.

Abrams rejuvenated the franchise with this film, making up for the prequel trilogy that garnered so much criticism amongst the fandom in the 2000s. The Force Awakens recaptures the classic “heroes versus villains” feel of the original films.

Whether you are rooting for Rey and Finn or lamenting over the loss of old-time favorites, The Force Awakens evokes that feeling you had when you first watched Star Wars.

SPOTLIGHT ON: Maggie Maloney

For junior chemistry and math double major Maggie Maloney, her interest in making music began with a sarcastic request from her parents. In 2012, she asked for a ukulele for Christmas because she knew it was an instrument that she could learn within an hour. Her wish was granted and her music career began. So far, Maloney has performed at coffee shops and open mics in different areas around Buffalo. Her workplace at home hosts “acoustic Wednesdays” and her boss insisted she play at one of these shows after learning to play the ukulele. This gig proved to be a perfect opportunity for Maloney. “I did the acoustic Wednesday and then I got picked up by LIPS Records after that,” she said.

After seeing Maloney perform and hearing her impressive chord progressions on the ukulele, head of LIPS Records—Jake Smolinski—immediately wanted to sign her to the label. Unfortunately, an over-protective boyfriend prevented her from signing right away and it wasn’t until after she broke it off with him that she joined LIPS Records to officially pursue music.

In January 2015, Maloney officially began recording with the label and she released her debut album in October titled Tribute. Maloney explained that her music falls in the genre of “twee.” Maloney explained twee as music that “sounds really, really happy but [has] a super-depressing undertone,” which is what she likes to emulate through her own sound.

“I like to see [music] as an outlet of all of the fucked up shit you think about when you’re alone and all that jazz,” she added.

Maloney named the twee band Heavenly as one of her musical inspirations, along with Smolinksi’s band Local Onlys. Local Onlys hails from Philadelphia and Maloney classifies them as “very garage-indie.”

Maloney cited Smolinski in particular as one of her greatest inspirations and musical influences, noting that she admires his versatile musical talent when it comes to instruments. “He plays guitar, drums, everything in the entire world,” she said. “You name the instrument, he probably knows how to play it. He’s one of those kids.”

Maloney’s musical taste is a quirky assortment. Besides Heavenly and Local Onlys, she is a fan of indie band Yellow Ostrich from Brooklyn, NY. Maloney also noted that she “really likes trap beats because they’re funny.”

What makes Maloney stand out among other artists is her unique voice and lyrical writing ability. “My buddies like to say that I’m able to portray a lot of emotion in really simple lines,” she said. This is certainly no easy task—many people struggle to describe their feelings using many words, much less a few lines. Maloney, however, manages to be both straightforward and poetic.

She explained that she has plans for more music. “I’ve been talking to my buddy Jake [Smolinski] … and I think we’re probably going to try to record an EP this winter break,” she said.

Be on the lookout for more music from Maloney—her whimsical talent is worth recognizing.

Enlace Project raises money, links entertainment, cultural appreciation

As part of a fundraiser for their organization, Enlace Project Geneseo held a benefit concert in the Knight Spot on Friday Dec. 4. Founded by Kellan Morgan ‘06, Enlace Project Geneseo is a small group working with a non-profit organization in Nicaragua. “[The Enlace Project does] a lot of awesome things in Nicaragua,” Enlace president senior Summer Stratton said. “They teach English to people [and] they have English classes like business development classes so … they give opportunities to people in Nicaragua.”

Stratton was one of the many students in Enlace Project Geneseo who studied abroad in Nicaragua. She took a comparative sustainability class in the summer of 2014 and she joined the Enlace club on campus when she returned.

As part of other fundraisers, the club sells homemade pine needle baskets in the MacVittie College Union. The club will also hold an annual dinner next semester with food from Nicaragua to raise additional money for their cause.

The night was a combination of talent and culture, as the performances and activities ranged in genre. The first to perform was senior Sean Delles of the Geneseo band Donner Dance Party. In an improvisational form, he created an interesting remix of bass and drum beats mixed with beat boxing.

Adjunct professor of English Glenn McClure also made an appearance, singing three Spanish songs. He offered an interactive performance as he invited attendees to sing along with him in Spanish for songs like “Maria Isabel,” “Quanta la Mera” and an original song that he wrote last summer: “Somos Hermanos.” The latter is about his onstage experience with famous Nicaraguan singer Carlos Mejia Godoy.

A cappella group Emmelodics followed McClure, singing a clever mashup of of Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” and Gnarls Barkley’s “Crazy.” They also performed Mumford & Sons’ “The Cave.”

The Slainte Irish Dance Ensemble followed the singing group. Their first performance was an articulate and uniform dance to a Celtic song. Their second dance was an a cappella Irish step dance. Each dancer wore hard shoes as they rhythmically danced in synch with one another.

To close the night, Geneseo student and singer junior Ariel Piazza—known by her stage name Gypsy Freight—performed a few relaxed pieces. One song was a stripped down rendition of two of her original songs, which she performed while playing the ukulele and guitar. Her last song was a soothing cover of Daughter’s “Peter.”

At the performance, henna tattoos, hair wraps and the pine needle baskets were for sale. All the proceeds of the night went to the Enlace Project in Nicaragua, so everyone involved—both members and guests—were able to contribute to the cause.

During his performance, McClure emphasized the idea of making the world a better place. His original song involved meaningful lyrics of coming together for one goal. “We are brothers and sisters of America. We share a history that is unique among all of us and that has certainly driven our work in Enlace,” McClure said.

This cultural unity was highlighted through the club’s use of different performers and sources of entertainment. Attendees at the Enlace Benefit Concert were able to appreciate local and international art and, whether or not they were involved in the organization, their proceeds and attendance helped to support a great cause.

MTC shows off heroes, villains in fall showcase

“It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s MTC!” Geneseo’s Musical Theatre Club hosted its biannual revue show from Friday Dec. 4–Saturday Dec. 5 in Wadsworth Auditorium. MTC holds two big performances each year where members sing, dance and act out a variety of show tunes. The club also performs at smaller events throughout the school year. MTC is known for its interpretations of famous musical numbers, often editing lyrics to coincide with a certain theme and storyline. This semester’s theme was superheroes; the cast dressed up as fictional heroes and villains, performing 20 musical numbers during two acts.

Songs included “Nothing Suits Me Like a Suit” from popular TV show “How I Met Your Mother,” “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” from Mulan and “Hakuna Matata” from The Lion King. Most of the numbers followed the superhero storyline and dealt with subjects like learning how to become a superhero, being a super villain and superheroes taking the day off.

Creative choreography was incorporated into all numbers, but three numbers stood out in terms of elaborate footwork. The performance of “Don’t Break the Rules” from the musical “Catch Me If You Can” featured police officers complaining about superheroes as they tap danced. The cover of “We Both Reached for the Gun” from the successful Broadway musical “Chicago” was incredibly intriguing with the incorporation of puppet-like movements. The third, “Hernando’s Hideaway” from the musical “The Pajama Game,” had villainous characters dancing the tango.

MTC secretary junior Francesca DiGiorgio noted that not all of the numbers performed adhered to the theme. The cast calls these “rogue numbers.” “[There’s] room for creativity,” DiGiorgio said. This is a result of MTC chiefly being a creative community where those interested in the performing arts can gain experience in all aspects of performance.

MTC is completely student-run, so there are opportunities in production as well as performance. Students can work on choreography, directing, lighting, acting, singing and dancing. DiGiorgio herself started out as a vocalist, but was given the opportunity to become an actress and a choreographer as well.

A few rogue numbers from the show were the all-female number “My Body,” a classic chorus line number entitled “One” and “Flight,” which featured two vocalists and three ballet and lyrical dancers.

The show-stopping closing number “Live in Living Color”—also from “Catch Me If You Can”—had the entire cast singing and dancing in a fast-paced, energetic ending to the show.

What stands out the most with the MTC shows is the overwhelming amount of positive energy exuded from all cast members. Humor definitely plays a large role in the club’s performances, as well as in the lyrics of the songs themselves. According to DiGirogio, it’s this laid-back and humorous attitude that makes seeing an MTC show different than other Geneseo performances.

Spectrum Women’s Ensemble, Chamber Singers expertly perform holiday classics

Geneseo’s department of music brought some holiday spirit to the campus when they showcased Spectrum Women’s Ensemble and Geneseo Chamber Singers on Sunday Dec. 6 in Doty Recital Hall. Spectrum—directed by adjunct lecturer in music Amy Cochrane and featuring Wan-Lin Chuang on piano and bass—opened the performance with an anonymously-written 15th century English carol entitled “Nowel Syng We Bothe Al and Som.” This song featured freshmen Hannah Griffin and Jenna Bunce, sophomores Christine Schultz and Caroline House, juniors Victoria Stevens and Courtney King and seniors Kaitlyn DiResta and Samantha Clowes.

Next, the ensemble performed Mary Elizabeth Caldwell’s “Shine Lovely Christmas Star” and “Silent Night.” Caldwell was employed by the Pasadena Junior League to write three operas for children to be presented by the Pasadena Symphony. The songs the ensemble performed were from the second of these operas: “A Gift of Song,” which tells the story of Franz Gruber’s composing of “Silent Night.”

The ensemble closed their performance with “What You Gonna Call Your Pretty Little Baby?” This song featured freshmen Mackenzie Hintze and Melissa Frank and sophomore Jami Goldson and Bunce as soloists accompanied by Chuang on bass and a few members of the Genesee Valley Children’s Chorus.

Geneseo Chamber Singers took the stage next, directed by music department chair Gerard Floriano and featuring piano accompanist and vocal coach Linda Boianova on piano. They opened with “Gloria ad modum tubae” by Franco-Flemish composer Guillaume Dufay. Dufay was a composer during the early Renaissance who was regarded by his contemporaries as the leading composer in Europe in the mid-15th century.

The second song the Chamber Singers performed was Tomás Luis de Victoria’s “Vere Languores.” Victoria was the most famous composer in 16th century Spain and is considered one of the most important composers of the Counter-Reformation.

The third piece was “Cantata No. 147 Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben” by Johann Sebastian Bach, consisting of nine movements and three solos. The second movement was a tenor recitativo, performed by junior Jordan Bachmann, the fourth movement was a basso recitativo performed by junior Noah Chichester and the seventh movement was an alto recitativo performed by sophomore Madison Kemler. All of the soloists performed exceptionally with their difficult parts.

Next, Chamber Singers performed one of Gabriel Fauré’s best-known works, “Pavane Op. 50.” Fauré was a French composer, organist, pianist and teacher. He was one of the foremost French composers of his generation and his musical style influenced many 20th century composers.

In a change of pace, the group performed “If I Got My Ticket Can I Ride?” arranged by Robert Shaw and featuring junior Ben Reiner as soloist. They ended with Kirby Shaw’s arrangements of “Silver Bells” and “Let it Snow.”

Both the Spectrum Women’s Ensemble and Geneseo Chamber Singers performed amazing renditions of holiday songs from varying time periods with both grace and talent. It was easy to hear the immense control that each performer had over their voice as they reached certain notes or changed from one pitch to another. Each singer displayed immense aptitude as vocalists and the performance was a wonderful showcase of Geneseo’s vocal talent.

Bieber reignites music career with sophisticated album

Justin Bieber released his latest album Purpose on Nov. 13, creating huge waves in the music industry. Bieber sold over 649,000 copies in the first week of the release, breaking his previous records and making this his sixth consecutive number one album on the Billboard 200 chart. Despite his constant presence in the news for delinquent actions, it is impossible to ignore the immense talent and growth he has displayed as an artist. Purpose represents the maturity in Bieber’s music, both in substance and vocals. Bieber was signed to his first record contract when he was only 14 years old. At the time, Bieber had a much higher voice, but the progression of his albums highlights the changes his voice has undergone—which in and of itself is an incredibly unique aspect of his music, as many artists do not have this experience.

In terms of substance, this is probably one of the most distinguished records that Bieber has released. As a whole, it is more serious than any of his other works—all of which were more playful and pop-oriented.

In his lyrics, Bieber expresses deeper and more meaningful themes which were never present in his earlier, teenage albums. In the second track “I’ll Show You,” he comments on the superficial way that people view him. In the song, Bieber talks about how they don’t really know him for who he truly is. As far as lyrics go, this song further proves how far Bieber has come since his “One Less Lonely Girl” days.

Bieber’s previous albums were full of catchy, fun music and were prone to being overplayed on the radio. His music was made to satisfy his 15-year-old “Belieber,” not to express himself as an artist and a person. This is something that many mainstream singers do today and, while it sells records, it does not establish them as respected singers.

Purpose does not emit this same feeling, however. Now, Bieber sings for himself, not for his audience. While a few of his songs such as “Sorry,” “What Do You Mean?” and “Love Yourself” have definitely become huge hits, they are not shallow and repetitive like some of his other songs.

The song “Love Yourself” has quickly become a favorite for many people. The title of the song is misleading. At first glance, it seems as if the song is about an insecure girl—an overused and drawn out trope in pop culture. It’s actually quite the opposite, though. Written in collaboration with Ed Sheeran, the track is about loving a self-centered girl and why it’s necessary to move on. The main chorus states, “If you like the way you look that much/Oh baby you should go and love yourself.” The song is lyrically rich and seems to express some of Bieber’s life experiences—something that captures the essence of his entire album.

The release of Purpose has shown his immense growth in character and as a musician. This album is the equivalent of Kanye West’s Yeezus—incredibly different from anything ever released by the respective artists.

Purpose is a significant album in Bieber’s career, symbolizing his transition from a teen into an adult. It has even shocked many non-listeners into becoming fans of his music. It shows the world his true potential as an artist and sets the bar high for his future albums, which will likely surpass expectations once again.

Found artist traces origins of trash; transforms waste into craft

Sometimes, art exists for its own sake, but art can also be activism. For Jenny Odell, it’s the latter. Odell creates found art from garbage by tracing the history of each piece and archiving it. In a culture of overwhelming wastefulness, the artistically inclined and their audiences could do a lot of good by swimming against the current. Odell’s art fuses similar creative expressions with activist awareness.

Odell’s Bureau of Suspended Objects project represents an extensively researched archive of material culture—the full dossier of the gallery of objects is a lengthy book. The artist collected and categorized discarded computers, dolls, videocassettes, toys, tennis rackets, backpacks, bottles and clocks. The statement is clear: the past—and the things that characterized it—doesn’t disappear just because trends have changed and people have moved on; it’s still there, collecting dust.

Odell is not the only waste-conscious found object artist out there. She created the Bureau of Suspended Objects through a program at Recology, an employee-owned trash collector in San Francisco whose motto is “a world without waste.” According to its website, the company has been hosting artists in residence for 25 years.

By teaming up with artists who give a new purpose to other peoples’ trash, Recology acknowledges that the process of recycling and disposing of discarded items—no matter how efficient or green it may be—is nowhere near enough to address the problem of just how much waste Americans make. Sometimes, a little more creativity is necessary to address the problem.

I have always been fascinated by found art. Sometimes, it’s just because it’s unexpected. Sometimes, garbage just looks cool when it’s spray-painted bronze and arranged to look like a flower or a person—or even just a pile of spray-painted garbage.

I think a lot of it has to do with the idea that garbage isn’t always just that and it doesn’t always belong in a landfill. Oftentimes, it ends up there because people just missed the recycling bin. Sometimes people throw out new and useful objects because they didn’t like their color.

Sometimes, garbage belongs in a museum because it is actually art. There’s a political message inherent to that statement. When that message gets lost, it represents a missed opportunity.

Found object art is a prime opportunity to spread messages about the problems of rampant consumerism and environmental destruction. When the art itself is renewable, a message of sustainability should not be too hard to tease out—either for viewers or for the artists themselves.

Of course, activism and creative expression cannot always go hand in hand; that would put a limit on creativity, which is never a good thing. When your art just happens to come from the trash, however, spreading awareness about where those objects came from and why it’s considered “trash” in the first place may be warranted.

Hopefully, more artists in the future will embrace and actively share messages of sustainability and conscious consumption—whether their medium is garbage or oil on canvas. Meanwhile, those of us with less lofty creative aspirations could stand to pay more attention to the “reuse” in “reduce, reuse, recycle.” Once it leaves our hands, our garbage isn’t going to an artist in residency; it’s just going to sit in a landfill.

Peanuts cast have heartwarming reunion, foster hope in despondent time

With so much horrific violence and prejudice spotlighted in the media this holiday season, it can be hard to look at the world in a positive light. Luckily for all of us weighed down by the lack of apparent goodwill in our society, there is a heartwarming cinematic work to renew our sense of hope and belief in the best of ourselves and others: The Peanuts Movie. I know the notion of an animated children’s movie instilling a newfound sense of joy and comfort in college students and adults everywhere may seem far-fetched, but I’m not exaggerating when I say that I left the film feeling changed—or at least feeling a lot more optimistic. I laughed, I cried, my boyfriend laughed at me for crying and I laughed some more.

The main plotline of the film centers on the lovably insecure underdog Charlie Brown and his misadventures with the Peanuts gang as he attempts to show everyone that he’s a winner to win the heart of the Little Red-Haired Girl—a character who he is hopelessly and adorably smitten with in both the comics and previous films. The inclusion of canonically accurate elements such as this, the Kite-Eating Tree, Lucy’s counseling stand, Snoopy’s typewriter and the “B” story of Snoopy’s encounters with the Red Baron all serve to enhance the overall quality of the film—and make it that much more special for long-time fans like myself.

Brown’s determination to impress his crush is endearing and relatable. I couldn’t stop smiling while watching him work so hard to try to win the school talent show with a magic act or practicing dance moves in his room with Snoopy so he could be crowned the contest winner. The funniest attempt for me, however, was watching Brown complete an entire book report on Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace while the Little Red-Haired Girl—his assigned project partner who was visiting her sick grandma—wouldn’t have to worry about finishing the assignment.

In true Peanuts fashion, however, all of his attempts to triumph are met with failure. He sets off the fire sprinklers at the dance contest and his book report is shredded to bits. But in these failures, we see the unyielding selflessness and perseverance of his character.

He skips his chance to perform at the talent show by helping out his sister Sally, who is bombing miserably onstage with her cowgirl act until her big brother comes to the rescue by running onstage as a cow. Despite his own struggles to successfully fly a kite, he helps another child to do it and doesn’t feel bitter. When he receives a “perfect” standardized test score and suddenly becomes the most popular boy in school, he sacrifices the admiration of his peers when he realizes that the score was actually Peppermint Patty’s—and admits it to a whole auditorium. These simple, moral acts show who he really is—as blanket-toting Linus gently reminded him, “a good person.”

The Little Red-Haired Girl, too, is able to appreciate Brown and chooses Brown as a pen pal at the end. I cried not only at this, but with his sincerity in asking her, “Why me?”—a really poignant moment for any of us who have ever failed to see our own worth. She explains that she loves his compassion and his honesty—I was left smiling with mascara-smudged cheeks.

The film’s narrative and thematic elements shined through to convey an important message about the power and beauty in the kindness and support of others, as well as the importance of believing in oneself. And in a world with so much darkness, it was a refreshing reminder that you and those around you can make all the difference in creating light.

German Christmas ad appears heartfelt, underlying message questionable

Now more than ever, companies have to work to garner consumers’ attention because of people’s fast-paced lifestyles and the increasing information overload from different media. German supermarket chain Edeka is no exception with their recent viral and emotionally evocative advertisement. Within its first week of being released, the commercial has received over 23 million YouTube views and accumulated a lot of criticism along the way. The commercial opens with an elderly man listening to a message from his daughter who tells him she and her family won’t be able to visit for Christmas. His granddaughter adds a cheerful, “Merry Christmas, Grandpa” to the end of the message. As the message plays, the man looks despondently outside the window at a neighbor embracing his grandchildren.

Next, it shows the man eating dinner alone on Christmas at a long, empty table. The mood shifts again when the commercial focuses on his children. Their busy lives, however, are abruptly interrupted when they learn the devastating news of their father’s passing. They travel to his home and enter the dining room to find an unexpected sight: a beautiful table complete with candlelight and place settings for dinner.

Another occurrence serves as an even more unexpected sight: their father walking into the dining room. He asks, “How else could I have brought you all together?” The final scene displays the family laughing and talking, their faces noticeably happy around a table filled with an abundance of food. The German words that appear on the screen translate to, “Time to come home,” advertising the country’s largest supermarket corporation.

Although the commercial is extremely sentimental and admittedly made me tear up, the tactic of emotional appeals became more obvious when watching it a second time. Used time and time again for persuasion, the appeal refers to using emotion as a substitution for reason. In other words, it’s a type of manipulation that replaces valid logic.

Here is how it works in Edeka’s advertisement: The commercial pulls the viewer into the storyline, making viewers wonder what will happen to the elderly man that is clearly lonely and sad with his loved ones far away. Many people, if not most, have aging grandparents or parents in their lives, allowing the commercial to be widely accessible and to resonate with a broad audience.

The commercial appears rather ironic since the holidays should be about spending time with loved ones, yet it is only using emotions to convince people to buy from the company. Therefore, the message seems to function on purchasing Edeka’s products to complete the perfect holiday dinner. Why are their products superior to other competitors? A substantive answer to this question—as in most advertisements—is disregarded.

There is nothing wrong with appreciating Edeka’s wonderfully crafted commercial. A problem exists, however, when people feel more prompted to buy their products simply because they successfully manipulated the viewer’s emotions.

With the holiday season in full swing, advertisements—even more so than usual—penetrate every facet of our lives. It’s crucial to take a step back and ask yourself how these commercials are trying to encourage you to buy their products and, more importantly, figure out if it’s worth the cost.

Erie Hall art show emphasizes beauty of creativity in disheartening time

Erie Hall held a student-run art show on Nov. 19, showcasing a number of talented individuals full of musical and artistic abilities. Erie Hall Resident Advisor junior Kiaya Rose Dilsner-Lopez ran the event. She invited local artists around campus and the Geneseo community to participate in the show and to share their special talents. The featured artists were junior Alexis Sammler, junior Chloe Forsell’s mother Mathilde McKennan Forsell, Geneseo Resident Director Sawyer Green and junior Raihan Houssain.

Dilsner-Lopez hand-picked artists that she knew and liked. Sammler, for example, was a big contributor to the art show. Her colorful, detailed and beautiful works of art brightened up the lobby as attendees walked in to enjoy the show.

In order to emphasize the variances in art as a whole, Dilsner-Lopez also invited dance and music groups from campus to participate. The performances ranged from dance groups like Geneseo Bhangra and Knightline to a cappella groups Exit 8, Hips ‘n Harmony and Emmelodics. Local Geneseo band Exile on Court Street wrapped up the show.

Bhangra went up first, dancing energetically and in synch with smiles on all of the members’ faces. They expressively performed to a fun, Bhangra-themed remix. The dancers also played the sapp—a Punjab instrument—as they jumped around to the music.

Following Bhangra were the talented Emmelodics, performing covers of Vampire Weekend’s “Unbelievers” and an interesting, up tempo mashup of Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” and Gnarls Barkley’s “Crazy.”

Knightline followed Bhangra with a choreographed and synchronized dance number involving high kicks and energetic dance moves. Their multiple kick lines were the highlights of their performance as they danced to Martin Solveig’s “Intoxicated.” The dance group also performs at other events on campus, such as the men’s and women’s home basketball and lacrosse games.

Next, Exit 8 performed a cover of Ed Sheeran’s emotive “I See Fire.” Soloist sophomore Sarah Bissell and the rest of Exit 8 gave a moving performance of the powerful song.

Following Exit 8 was all-girl a cappella group Hips ‘n Harmony singing soulful songs written by women artists including Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” and Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody.”

To end the night, Exile on Court Street performed. Two of the five artists were present as they sang and played the guitar and piano with raw emotion and power.

Dilsner-Lopez is an English literature major, so it’s no wonder why she has such an allure to art appreciation. She explained how she organized the event a month ago simply to celebrate art as a whole. Considering the onslaught of recent violent, international events, she emphasized how the show of creative celebration and expression couldn’t have come at a better time.

“I was hoping that [the show] would kind of be a flower to just remind everyone that there are beautiful things that we can create and just to have a positive light out there,” she said. Dilsner-Lopez seems to enjoy holding fulfilling events that motivate and help people feel better about themselves, previously hosting self-identity programs dealing with self-discovery and acceptance.

Dilsner-Lopez noted that she hopes to hold an event like this again in the future, considering the great turnout and amazing atmosphere of the night. The Erie Hall Art Show provided an excellent display of the raw artistic talent here at Geneseo.

Photography workshop provides amusing, hands-on learning experience

Students had the opportunity to learn about light painting and the art of photography in a workshop held in Brodie Hall on Monday Nov. 30. The Geneseo Photography Club held the event and collaborated with fellow students to get the perfect picture using streams of light and color. A handful of students were able to get a hands-on experience with taking photographs involving light painting—a technique in which exposures are made by moving a light source around while taking a long exposure photograph. If this is done right, the product is a picture with streaks of light and vibrant colors.

Photography Club was able to produce such pictures with the help of student suggestions. The only tools they had were Christmas lights, a flashlight and some flash bulbs when they went into the workshop. Creativity was the key element.

At first, the students in the workshop moved the Christmas lights around in a circular motion, which ended up looking like a cone of light. Then, a student suggested shining a light on and off in someone’s face while they moved to the left with each shine of the flashlight. This produced a spooky-looking collaboration of different, lit up facial expressions.

More and more creative ideas developed as the workshop progressed. For instance, participants waved the lights back and forth on the sides of a sitting student, which created an almost angelic-like effect with neon, light-drawn wings. They also moved the lights in a circular—as well as a figure-eight—motion around their heads, which came out as a revolution of saturated and colorful light.

Each photograph had its own element of uniqueness. The timing and light exposure were key components in creating the perfect picture. But sometimes, it was really just about luck and having everything come together on its own.

Additionally, the photographers attempted to get multiple different shots not only by using the lights in different ways, but also by using the same technique from different angles. This allowed for more of a variety of pictures, even if it involved a similar manner of light painting. Photography Club secretary and public relations representative senior Amy Liang explained that the club took a particular liking to light painting specifically because it seemed fascinating and applicable to everyone’s daily life.

“Light painting is a really cool effect that you see in a lot of places, like on Instagram, or some college textbooks even have it,” she said. “It’s just a really pretty thing to look at, so we thought it would be just a fun little workshop to teach people how to make this cool effect and just to make photography a little bit more related ... to Geneseo students that might think that photography isn’t their thing.”

Whether or not individuals had intense experience with photography, the event was very accessible to all students. The effects in the photo were fascinating to use, so it seemed to be a lot of fun for everyone who participated. Now, the students who attended this unique event can use these techniques when creating these masterpieces in their own homes.

Ponder the Giraffe brings indie-pop to local music scene

Geneseo isn’t exactly known for its exceptional studio or musical art scene, but the community’s handful of successful bands is astounding. One such group—Ponder the Giraffe—has been making serious waves lately; playing both local shows out of their house on Main Street and having their music played on radio stations throughout the state. Ponder the Giraffe is an indie-pop, funk band made up of all juniors: vocalist and guitarist Gabriel Birkby, drummer and percussionist Aaron Murphy and bassist Justin Fischer. The three began playing together last winter when Birkby accidentally signed up for Battle of the Bands. Realizing he didn’t have a band to play with, Birkby called Murphy—the two shared a mutual friend—and Fischer, who Birkby had known since his freshman year and had casually played with before.

As the band’s chief songwriter, Birkby described the band’s musical sound to be mostly indie-pop. He added, however, that everyone’s musical tastes merge together when creating the final product. Birkby, for example, leans more toward underground indie music and bands such as Walk the Moon. Murphy, on the other hand, likes to listen to mellower music, but prefers to play heavier rock songs when drumming. Fischer noted that he listens to “everything on the face of the earth.” As a result, each member personalizes their respective instrumental parts while Birkby writes lyrics that are inspired by real life experiences.

Five of the band’s released songs have been played on radio stations such as Alternative Buffalo 107.7. The most recent song to be played was “Out to Dance.” Murphy recalled gathering together in his dorm room when the band’s first song was played on the air, as they patiently waited with the radio on full blast to hear their own tune. Birkby emphasized the excitement and pride he feels whenever he hears his band on the radio—the band records all of their own music with no studio.

Ponder the Giraffe has been busy this semester, playing a gig about every two weeks. Murphy’s basement on Main Street is the usual spot for their shows, bringing in about 100 excited listeners. In addition to house shows, Ponder the Giraffe performs for school events and in off-campus social venues.

Ponder the Giraffe takes a leading role in fostering the local music community here in Geneseo. They support other new local bands and performers such as Donner Dance Party—whose unique instrumental sound and improvisational technique has started to turn heads—and host them at their own shows, giving them the opportunity to play.

All three members admitted that scheduling can be hard at times, as each member is involved in a host of other commitments. But Birkby, Murphy and Fischer are all committed to the band. They always find time to work on their music—whether it be together or separately. The men unanimously agreed that the most important thing is that their authenticity resonates with their audience because, as Birkby emphasized, Ponder the Giraffe’s songs are written with the band members’ own feelings and experiences in mind.

Big things are in the works for Ponder the Giraffe. Their first full album will drop this winter as they embark on a mini-tour that will take them from Oneonta, NY to New York City.

To check out their music, Ponder the Giraffe has songs on SoundCloud and is also available to book for a performance at the beginning of next semester.

Final installment of Hunger Games brings satisfying closure to trilogy

The finale to The Hunger Games movie series—adapted from Suzanne Collins’ young adult novels—ended with a bang as the final film, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2, was an incredibly moving, emotional and satisfying motion picture. The film was a wonderful adaptation to the novel, bringing the film series full circle both cinematically and emotionally. The film follows Katniss Everdeen—played by Jennifer Lawrence—as she and her fellow rebels attempt to end the violent revolution within their home of Panem. Along the way, Katniss suffers loss, terror and life-changing moments as she is determined to kill President Snow—played by Donald Sutherland—who has been the villainous dictator of Panem since the beginning of the series. Sutherland brilliantly depicts Snow as the pernicious, haughty dictator with his bone-chilling delivery.

The chemistry between Katniss and Peeta—played by Josh Hutcherson—was stronger than in previous films. Hutcherson played the sometimes-neurotic Peeta Mellark, as he was suffering the after-effects of Capitol torture. The character’s dimensionality was impressively shown through the use of Hutcherson’s display of emotions.

Supporting male characters like Gale Hawthorne—played by Liam Hemsworth—and Finnick Odair—played by Sam Claflin—acted as strong male comrades to Katniss’ war on the Capitol.

After the death of Plutarch Heavensbee—played by Philip Seymour Hoffman—it was interesting going into the film wondering how they would deal with the absence of such a major character. Naturally, the adaptations of the novel in these aspects were different, but the storyline was well maintained.

This film was chockfull of dramatic death scenes. Whether the deceased characters were old-time favorites or Capitol citizens, the filmmakers made the scenes almost too moving, as each death was utterly heartbreaking to watch. It felt as if you were a part of Katniss’ journey and emotional rollercoaster for the entire film—whether she was in the depths of the Capitol sewers or right in front of Snow’s gates.

Contrary to the first installment of the Mockingjay film, the second part had a continuous plot that kept you on the edge of your seat. But perhaps that was one of its biggest—and only—flaws: There were many unlikely events, such as the deadly black sludge stopping right where they needed it to or the peacekeepers just missing Katniss as she attempts to sneak into the Capitol. Although it may have been too easy, it did not hinder the overall experience of the movie.

The film in and of itself was seemingly the best of all four installments simply because the actors played with so much raw emotion and talent. It was the perfect wrap to Katniss’ journey since she first joined The Hunger Games.

Straight Outta Compton fuses art, harsh reality

A myriad of political events have taken place in the world and on Geneseo’s campus, such as the Nov. 16 walkout protest and march that illustrated the campus’ unity with the University of Missouri’s Concerned Student 1950. With Kino presenting Straight Outta Compton on Nov. 20 in Newton 204, however, the group reminded students that it doesn’t just take a protest to unite struggling comrades or to examine racism in our society. Art, too, can do just that—such as a small movie display within the confinements of a lecture hall. Straight Outta Compton is a biographical film that examines the lives of American N.W.A rappers O’Shea “Ice Cube” Jackson Sr., Andre “Dr. Dre” Romelle Young and Eric “Eazy-E” Lynn Wright. Although these rappers did not play their own characters’ parts, Ice Cube and Dr. Dre were two of the producers of Straight Outta Compton and Ice Cube’s son—O’Shea Jackson Jr.—played Ice Cube.

These rappers hail from Compton, California, a city in southern Los Angeles that is notorious for crime, gang violence and hip hop music. Right from the start of the film, it is illustrated that there is going to be gratuitous violence—violence that is only to be expected from a Hollywood movie of its topic.

For example, the first scene shows Eazy-E entering a crack house that is then raided by the police. The following scene, however, juxtaposes this “expected” scene with one that portrays the anti-blockbuster conventions of the movie. In the second scene, Dr. Dre’s mother kicks Dr. Dre out of the house, emotionally screaming, “I worked hard [for you]. I refuse to let you throw that all away.”

This is key. Straight Outta Compton was praised for its greatness at making everything seem so realistic, even using news clips from the actual time period. This multi-layered realism makes the film more than a story on police brutality. Although police violence is central to the story, there are a plethora of other topics that young adults—such as college students in this day and age—can relate to, like the struggle of family dilemmas or issues of the individual versus group.

In an interview with Deadline, director F. Gary Gray reiterated this notion. “[Straight Outta Compton] is the human beings and the humanity behind the music,” he said. “The story is somewhat universal … there’s tragedy, there’s triumph and it’s all true.”

Furthermore, Straight Outta Compton shines in its authenticity because it’s a movie that depicts the struggles of minorities today, though it’s set in the late 1980s. While watching the movie, I couldn’t help but think about the Spring Valley High School Officer at the time—Ben Fields—who threw a black high school student from her chair and across the room on Oct. 26. The film has similar events of police harassment, such as when N.W.A is unjustly hassled by the police during a recording session, leading to their song “Fuck tha Police.”

In a press conference for the film, Ice Cube emphasized using art as an outlet for expressing the trials and tribulations that one goes through in a neighborhood like Compton. “Our art is a reflection of our reality,” he said.

Many people would agree with Ice Cube’s sentiment. While some might concur with the movie’s press—which condemned N.W.A’s songs for glamorizing gangs and drugs—others would applaud them for their honesty.

That authenticity and relatability is the art in movies and campus protests. It isn’t the cry of a single person. Rather, it is the union of many, the union of movie characters and audience.

“Doubt” explores morality, trust within Catholic Church

Directed by junior Will Gfeller, John Patrick Shanley’s “Doubt” was showcased on Nov. 19 as the sixth staged reading in the theater department’s annual staged reading series. The reading featured sophomore Allison Altschiller as Sister James, junior Benjamin Ranalli as Father Brendan Flynn and junior Brianna Jones as Mrs. Muller. Seniors Isabella Dixon and Alexandra Salerno also played Sister Aloysius Beauvier and the narrator respectively. The effort that went into production clearly paid off in this incredible and convincing production of Shanley’s work.

“Doubt” was written as a response to the knowledge of the myriad of sexual abuse scandals within the Catholic Church that emerged in 2005. This play depicts Aloysius’ struggle with figuring out whether or not Flynn had abused his position of power in their school in order to harm young boys and her attempts to remove him from the parish.

Gfeller explained that he read “Doubt” during his senior year of high school and instantly felt connected to it, loving the story’s ambiguity and its take on moral relativism.

While it appears that the main question of this play is whether or not Flynn sinned, the even more stimulating question is: what does one do when they’re unsure? “I think the whole play—being a character in it or being an actor in it or an audience member—really comes down to weighing your options,” Gfeller said.

Dixon agreed that the ambiguous nature of morality is something that was expressed not just in plot, but with characterization. “When we talked about my character—specifically in reference to the hierarchy of the church—we spoke about the fact that the people who are in charge aren’t always right—and sometimes they’re morally bankrupt,” he said. “Overall, there’s no real sense of checks and balances.”

Dixon also explained the dichotomy that existed within Aloysius: the moral fortitude that she finds in the Catholic faith and being a fierce guardian for children of the parish while also being treated poorly by the men around her. She struggles between knowing something is wrong and wanting to do what is right, but having to let that go.

Donald Muller is the boy whom Aloysius is particularly worried about being subjected to Flynn’s attention. In an effort to put an end to their relationship, she seeks Mrs. Muller—the boy’s mother—as an ally. In a surprising turn of events, however, Mrs. Muller does not react as expected.

“Mrs. Muller is such a difficult character to wrap your head around because she only appears in one scene, but you could make the argument that she’s the most important character in the whole play,” Gfeller said.

“I guess she believes that his going to a good high school and then college means he won’t have to deal with anything he’s dealt with before, or anything that she’s had to deal with,” Jones said. Donald Muller was the only African-American in his school, so he already experienced a lot of other hardships including racism. “So when Sister Aloysius brings up this idea that Father Flynn had started this inappropriate relationship with her son, she wants to block that out and sort of keep the ball rolling,” Jones added.

It was intriguing to hear the actors and director bounce between their decisions to judge Flynn as guilty or innocent—it depicted the subjectivity of any kind of art. New perspectives and new performances yielded to new ideas, which could sway opinions.

This was a spectacularly performed staged reading and a very thought-provoking play that, in Gfeller’s words, “boldly forces people to consider their personal code of ethics and to determine their own conclusions, instead of following along with group mentality.”

Music groups collaborate for vibrant oratorio

The Geneseo Symphony Orchestra, the Geneseo Festival Chorus and three soloists performed Joseph Haydn’s “The Creation” on Nov. 22 in the Wadsworth Auditorium. Music department chair and Festival Chorus director Gerard Floriano conducted both groups. The soloists were adjunct lecturer in music Amy Cochrane as soprano, Matthew Valverdo as tenor and Jorell Williams as baritone. “The Creation” is an oratorio—a lengthy composition based on a sacred text that gained popularity during the Baroque era. Together, the orchestra, chorus and soloists made the composition come alive through outstanding vocals and dramatic harmonies.

An oratorio is similar to an opera in that it uses characters, a storyline, an ensemble and a choir. It does not include acting, scenery or costumes, however. “The Creation” tells the story of the origin of the world as depicted in the Book of Genesis from the Bible. The three soloists represented the three archangels Gabriel, Uriel and Raphael. The first movement is the creation of the planets and the universe, the second movement is about the creation of animals, man and woman and the third movement tells the story of Adam and Eve.

The structure of Haydn’s oratorio consists of 13 short movements in the first part followed by 15 short movements in the second and third parts. Recitatives and arias alternated between the movements as well as the choral parts. Recitatives are spoken parts while arias are sung melodies that can be with or without orchestral accompaniment. With each recitative, a harpsichord was played to introduce it.

The soloists showed off a wide range of tones and sounds that they were able to create with just their voices. Cochrane shocked the audience with her ability to hit very high notes with incredible dexterity while Valverdo gave a stellar performance as a tenor. Lastly, Williams impressed the audience with his extremely low vocal tonal range.

The orchestra delivered a performance equivalent to that of the soloists. The orchestra played throughout almost the entirety of the composition, with short breaks during the solo parts.

Tone painting was utilized when the orchestra played. With that technique, the music coming from the orchestra itself depicts actions without words. “The Creation” uses a larger orchestra similar to the one used in the Classical era. The Classical orchestra had the typical setup of the string section but also included three flutes, two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons and two horns. In addition, a harpsichord was used during the performance for the recitatives.

Lastly, the chorus was given many major parts during the movements of the piece. Consisting of both men and women, the chorus would split between sopranos and baritones in a duet-like fashion. The chorus elevated the dramatic feel to the movements that were created by the soloists and orchestra.

“The Creation” was one of the two oratorios that Haydn wrote during his lifetime. It is a long and exhausting piece to perform, lasting over an hour and a half. Together, the Geneseo Symphony Orchestra, the Geneseo Festival Chorus and the three soloists delivered a flawless performance of a much-revered piece.