By Megan Sullivan
Staff Writer
Mira Costa is home to a large array of students with various talents and passions, all of which were on display in the latest exhibit at the MCHS Art Gallery.
The exhibit was organized by art teacher Katherine Martin and was located in room 60 from February 29th through March 8 and featured pieces from students from all different levels of art. The exhibit featured unique mediums and displays, attention grabbing pieces and an interactive environment for viewers and artists.
The exhibit contained sculptures, banners and even work done with yarn which added a unique twist to the materials commonly associated with art. There were a lot of different and creative pieces to look at, and the diversity of the materials and works ensured that each viewer could find something they could identify with.
Not only was there a variety of artwork, but there was also a diverse selection of tools used to create each piece. For example Asha Berkes used bones in one of her pieces, which differentiated its composition from the rest. The assortment of tools made the exhibit more interesting as their effect on the pieces made them look much different from one another, showcasing each artist’s creativity.
Each piece seemed to express its own theme, but there existed some ties between some of the works which helped the viewer make connections between the pieces. Some were modeled after Keith Haring and discussed various human flaws, while others were more abstract in their meaning, but all had complex and relevant themes that impressed. Each piece was intriguing and left room for open interpretation of its meaning.
Some notable pieces were compiled by artists Kendall Dragotto and Scarlet Ellias. Dragotto created a large painting of a woman’s body that was attention grabbing due to its strong colors and size. Ellias took photographs of various subject matters in unique light and from abstract perspectives creating a refreshing spin on ordinary subject matter. Although most of the art was well-done, these two artist’s work stood out and their pieces enhanced the overall appeal of the exhibit.
The gallery included a space where viewers could leave comments, ask questions and share thoughts on individual pieces as well as discuss the gallery overall which created an interactive and unique viewing experience. This way, the artists and viewers were able to communicate, which strengthened their connection not only to one another but also with the art.
Although the gallery had a large amount of pieces, it lacked sufficient information on the artworks. There was no information provided other than the artist’s name and art level, which made it difficult for viewers to understand the artist’s intended theme for their pieces or their mindset while creating their works.
Unfortunately, due to the large amount of pieces and varying themes, the gallery did not appear very well organized. It seemed that the artwork was randomly placed amongst the exhibit with no real sense of direction, which was distracting to the viewer and caused the exhibit to look unfinished.
Despite its minor flaws, the Mira Costa High School Gallery consisted of extremely creative pieces compiled by a large selection of students. It showcased both the student’s talents and their ability to create complex and intriguing art.
The Mira Costa High School Gallery was open February 29th until March 8th every break and lunch in Room 6.
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