Alexis Carver, Author at BYU College of Fine Arts and Communications

Four BYU Design Professors Claim Juror Award at the Design Arts Utah 2019 Exhibition

Alexis Carver — Mon, 23 Dec 2019 18:40:51 +0000

Designers explain the thought process behind their project “Unity & Division” Four BYU professors in the Department of Design — Brent Barson, Douglas Thomas, Eric Gillett and Linda Reynolds — won the Juror Award for their project “Unity & Division” in this year’s Design Arts Utah 2019 exhibition. “We’re hopeful that this project doesn’t end,” Thomas said. “We made a book and posters which were designed to be both pages in a book and also posters by themselves, and we hope that this will go into more shows and exhibitions.” Their design project began in response to conflicting ideologies and division in today’s news and social media. From the beginning, “Unity & Division” opened the doors for enlightening experiences and dialogue between the group of professors. “It was exciting to interact with my colleagues on so many different levels,” said Thomas. “Sometimes we were able to work late at night printing the book and binding it together. Other times, we were working together to make the exhibition materials. We wanted to see if we could come up with a visual format that honored the kind of communication where ideas could come together, clash, juxtapose and mix with each other.” Throughout the project, each designer would explore questions like, “What is unity?” and “What is division?” supplying prompts for the faculty members as they united in their common beliefs in the importance of allowing people to experience new ideas — learning from them and recognizing the importance of respectful dialogue. “Some of the most exciting things were when we approached issues differently,” Thomas said. “We would put our ideas together which would form new compositions, allowing us to come up with different ways of thinking about information we hadn’t thought about before.” The unique approach to the project symbolized the impact peaceful collaboration has in finding new ideas and solutions. Learn more about the Design Arts Utah exhibition at sltrib.com

The post Four BYU Design Professors Claim Juror Award at the Design Arts Utah 2019 Exhibition appeared first on BYU College of Fine Arts and Communications.

BYU Design Alumni Claim 2 out of 12 Awards in Communication Arts Design Annual

Alexis Carver — Thu, 19 Dec 2019 17:37:47 +0000

Abby deWitt and Laura McNeil share their thoughts behind their winning designs Recent graduates from the BYU Department of Design, Laura McNeil and Abby deWitt, were featured in the 2019 September/October issue of the Communication Arts Design Annual competition — showcasing winners from one of the most prestigious design competitions in the United States and throughout the world. McNeil and deWitt received two out of the 12 awards from thousands of entries across the country including submissions from top design schools such as ArtCenter College of Design and Savannah College of Art and Design. BYU was one of two schools to receive multiple awards in the competition. Both McNeil and deWitt drew inspiration from literary works that hold a special meaning for them. “I curated and designed a book series by one of my favorite authors, Kurt Vonnegut,” McNeil said. “His literary voice is known for being dry and minimal, with punches of abrasive reality. With his writing style in mind, I took inspiration from wood type. The letterforms are simple yet loud, reflecting Vonnegut’s unique tone.The asterisk is used as the author’s byline, since Vonnegut was known for including an asterisk in his signature.” deWitt created book covers for Elie Wiesel’s “Night,” which she first read in the 10th grade. “It had such an impact on me with the simplicity and poetic nature of the writing and the ability of the author to convey such complex emotions — especially concerning religion in a time where the persecution of the Jewish people was so astonishing,” said deWitt. “Up to that point, I hadn’t seen covers for the books that had the same impact visually that the stories have.” For deWitt, the project emphasized the importance of paying close attention to detail to enlighten the deeper meaning behind a design. “I redesigned Elie Wiesel’s Night Trilogy covers in order to reflect the main characters’ transformation and perception of religion,” said deWitt. “I used the Star of David as the primary icon in the patterns to represent that transformation. Patterns were screen printed and blind embossed onto each cover, representing both the titles and the change in religion.” For both alums, the experience as a whole proved valuable in every aspect of their design careers — including appreciation for their mentors at BYU. “Having my designs judged by professionals who relate to my work and appreciate the time and effort it took to create them is both rewarding and encouraging,” said deWitt. “It put weight behind my work by validating my designs and portfolio. I would just want to thank my professors for being supportive and encouraging me to push my limits in design.

The post BYU Design Alumni Claim 2 out of 12 Awards in Communication Arts Design Annual appeared first on BYU College of Fine Arts and Communications.

Folk Music Artists Noam Pikelny and Stuart Duncan Offer Masterclass to BYU Musicians

Alexis Carver — Wed, 11 Dec 2019 21:38:34 +0000

Students participated in a jam session with the accomplished bluegrass duo Bluegrass icons Noam Pikelny and Stuart Duncan answered questions from student and faculty folk musicians as part of BYU’s BRAVO! Professional Performing Arts Series. The duo shared lessons learned from their lives and music careers — and surprised students with a jam session at the end of the masterclass. One of the topics banjoist Pikelny and fiddle player Duncan discussed was the processes and advice about improvising. “I often say improvising is like composing or writing variations in real time,” said Pikenly. “If you’re not able to do it in real time, you need to teach yourself how to do it. How will you be able to perform in front of an audience if you can’t do it when you’re alone?” Read the full story at music.byu.edu

The post Folk Music Artists Noam Pikelny and Stuart Duncan Offer Masterclass to BYU Musicians appeared first on BYU College of Fine Arts and Communications.

Alexander Woods Shares ‘The Work of Translation: the Violin as a Seer Stone’ in Faith + Works Lecture

Alexis Carver — Mon, 25 Nov 2019 18:42:52 +0000

Woods emphasized key principles of faith and personal revelation in translating works of art School of Music professor Alexander Woods encouraged students to think about the relationship faith plays in their art in his Nov. 7 Faith + Works lecture. Speaking about “The Work of Translation: the Violin as a Seer Stone,” Woods took students through his process of applying faith to the way he interprets — or translates — musical compositions to make sense of the world around him. “I really believe I’m looking through a very special lens when I perform,” said Woods. “I can translate how I see the world.” The foundation of “the violin as a seer stone” traces back to some of Woods’ studies as a young man — including the idea that “fidelity is key” to faith, as suggested in Adam S. Miller’s “Letters to a Young Mormon.” Before diving into his personal history as a musician, Woods bore his testimony of the many things he believes in and invited students to ponder this question: “How could being faithful to something transform what you work on or what you want to work on?” For Woods, fidelity to the gospel is the driving force that inspires him to seek understanding and interpret unifying works of music that touches the spirit. Woods’ violin journey came as the result of what he called “a game of telephone” where one great violinist would pass on his knowledge to another great violinist. The skills of Lucien Capet and Ivan Galamian — both violin legends — were passed down to Pinchas Zukerman, who eventually taught a young Woods. “These people to me are — in music terms — like the prophets or the scriptures,” Woods said. “They are my spiritual mentors with incredible wisdom and guidance. I couldn’t have done anything without them, and I’m grateful that their knowledge was passed down.” While studying at Yale, Woods learned another approach to the violin from his instructor Robert Mealy. Different from the strict “play as I play” instruction Woods was used to, Mealy taught Woods to learn from the past master artists. It was also around this time that Woods began learning how to play with a baroque violin and bow as well. Mealy encouraged Woods to let the instrument teach him. Woods continued to refine his skills as a violinist as he began translating music into the instruments and stylings of the Baroque era — a creative undertaking that required him to combine his knowledge and lessons learned from each of his teachers. “At the end of the day, I really needed personal revelation,” said Woods. “That was the thing that was going to give me the courage to put something forth and not feel vulnerable.” Woods then shared a quote from President Russell M. Nelson about personal revelation. “How can we become the men and women — the Christlike servants [and artists] — the Lord needs us to be?” asked President Nelson. “How can we find answers to the questions that perplex us? If Joseph Smith’s transcendent experience in the Sacred Grove teaches us anything, it is that the heavens are open and that God speaks to his children.” Toward the end of the lecture, Woods began to play a few phrases of music he had translated. One was from a Montanari Sonata, the other was from the beloved Brahms D Minor Sonata, and both he had his wife performed their arrangement of “Come, Come Ye Saints” to conclude. Expressed in his message was the importance of understanding what music means to both yourself as an artist and your audience, but above all, the importance of creating work that is personal and reflective of your interests, beliefs and unique perspective. “You don’t want to throw away anything that your teachers are giving you, because I would be nowhere without people like Pinchas Zukerman and Robert Mealy,” said Woods. “But at some point, you have to make it your own.” In closing, Woods summarized the importance of faith and dedication — the power to fuel translation. “There’s no magic until you really live faithfully,” Woods said. “Part of that faith is how you’re practicing and your dedication to your work. Are you really invested in it? If you are really invested in it, you will have a lot of faith in yourself and what you’re doing, and incredible stuff will happen.”

The post Alexander Woods Shares ‘The Work of Translation: the Violin as a Seer Stone’ in Faith + Works Lecture appeared first on BYU College of Fine Arts and Communications.

Fidalis Buehler Will Explain the Relationship Between His Faith and Practice as Part of the 2019-2020 Faith + Works Lecture Series

Alexis Carver — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 22:01:57 +0000

Buehler will present the importance of collecting personal histories in his upcoming lecture BYU Art professor Fidalis Buehler will present “I Hear You in My Bones,” on Thursday, December 5 at 11 a.m. in the Madsen Recital Hall discussing the importance of collecting personal histories as part of the 2019-2020 Faith + Works Lecture Series. Buehler has presented his work in various art exhibits from the regional level to shows across the U.S. and throughout the world. A few notable experiences include his participation in Gallery Protocol in Gainesville, Florida, New Mystics at the CUAC, Auckland’s NorthArt Center and a publication with New American Paintings. The diversity within Buehler’s childhood home established a stimulating place to guide and shape his creative process. Influenced by a blend of two cultures — Euro-American and Pacific Islander — Buehler’s art reflects his biracial upbringing. “My work represents identity seen through the complexity of American culture and South Pacific traditions — calling attention to confrontation and conflicting realities; straddling the line between levity and earnest devotion,” said Buehler. “Image making becomes an act of playful conjuring — reassembling personal histories that embody fear, anxiety, mythology, dreams, revelations, magic, mysticism and ritual.” Buehler has taught painting and drawing for the Department of Art since 2008. He currently resides in Mapleton with his wife and five children.

The post Fidalis Buehler Will Explain the Relationship Between His Faith and Practice as Part of the 2019-2020 Faith + Works Lecture Series appeared first on BYU College of Fine Arts and Communications.

Behind the Scenes of BYU Spectacular! An Inside Look of the 2019 Performance

Alexis Carver — Thu, 07 Nov 2019 21:39:18 +0000

A member of BYU’s Men’s Chorus shares his experiences preparing for a dynamic performance This year’s BYU Spectacular! lived up to its name with energetic performances by campus ensembles and guest artists Ben Rector and Hilary Weeks — the product of hard work behind the scenes during an expedited rehearsal process. Brian Merrill — a member of BYU’s Men’s Chorus — shared his experiences preparing for the event. “Something a lot of people don’t know about Spectacular! is how last-minute a lot of the preparations are,” Merrill said. “We started learning our songs a week before the performance and sang with Ben Rector a day or so before we performed together. It’s amazing that all of the coordination for Spectacular! can come together so fast.” Due to the collaborative efforts and diligence from each BYU performing group — Men’s Chorus, Young Ambassadors, Ballroom Dance Company, International Folk Dance Ensemble, Vocal Point, BYU Cougarettes and the Dunk Team — BYU Spectacular! showcased a refined performance that could have easily been rehearsed for months. “I love all of the collaboration between the performing groups,” said Merrill. “It’s really cool that we have this community of performers and we can come together at events like this. It makes it better than just one or the other performing.” This year’s Spectacular! performance was also an emotional time for BYU’s Men Chorus as conductor Rosalind Hall announced her final year as director of the choir. “I wasn’t going to do Men’s Chorus until I found out that it was going to be her last year, so I rearranged my whole class schedule,” Merrill said. “It was really special that we sang a Welsh folk song medley because she’s from Wales. The fact that we got to do something native to her is pretty meaningful for most of us.”

The post Behind the Scenes of BYU Spectacular! An Inside Look of the 2019 Performance appeared first on BYU College of Fine Arts and Communications.

2019-2020 Faith + Works Lecture Series Opens with Adept Violinist Alexander Woods

Alexis Carver — Fri, 25 Oct 2019 14:56:11 +0000

Woods will speak about how to trust your voice and medium through personal revelation BYU School of Music professor Alexander Woods will present “The Work of Translation: the Violin as a Seer Stone,” in the first Faith + Works lecture of the 2019-2020 season on Nov. 7 at 11 a.m. in the Madsen Recital Hall. The College of Fine Arts and Communications initiated the lecture series in 2016 to continue its mission to “teach the disciplines of art, communications, dance, design, music and theatre media arts.” As a student at Yale University, the Manhattan School of Music and the University of Arizona, Woods has studied with some of the world’s greatest violinists, including Syoko Aki, Robert Mealy, Pinchas Zukerman, Patinka Kopec and Mark Rush. “The New York Times” has hailed Woods as both a “showstopping” performer and a “deft and sensitive accompanist.” He has performed with various ensembles such as the Helicon Symposium, New York Baroque Incorporated (NYBI), Woodsmusik Ensemble and BYU’s own Deseret String Quartet. In his current position, Woods teaches violin — including violin literature and pedagogy — and chamber music. He is the founder and director of the BYU Baroque Ensemble, which provides students with the opportunity to perform in an early music chamber orchestra on original instruments created by the Violin Making School of America in Salt Lake City. Woods will discuss the importance of trusting your voice and medium through personal revelation.

The post 2019-2020 Faith + Works Lecture Series Opens with Adept Violinist Alexander Woods appeared first on BYU College of Fine Arts and Communications.

Thomas Hampson Sends Music Majors at BYU Through a Journey of Thought and Sound

Alexis Carver — Mon, 21 Oct 2019 15:17:23 +0000

Music majors resonate with the character and charisma of Thomas Hampson Baritone legend Thomas Hampson came to BYU as part of the BRAVO! Professional Performing Arts Series and participated in a workshop with vocal students in the School of Music, emphasizing the importance of conveying unspoken thoughts and employing proper technique. Campus masterclasses with renowned professionals are very beneficial for young musicians but can also be intimidating for those students asked to perform. For graduate student Michelle Dean, part of what made the masterclass so impactful was how Hampson interacted with each performer. “I felt tense and nervous, but after I sang Mr. Hampson did a good job of putting me at ease,” said Dean. “I saw that with other people afterwards as well. It was really cool to hear his ideas and to get his recommendations and feedback.” With a well-trained ear for detail, Hampson worked to shape the voices of each singer to resonate with the members of the audience as he shared his thoughts with his trademark charisma and a touch of humor. “You invited me, so I’m going to give you my ideas,” said Hampson. As he listened to each student, Hampson shared techniques and instruction designed to help each singer refine their performance and continue to think more critically about their craft after the masterclass. Read more at music.byu.edu.

The post Thomas Hampson Sends Music Majors at BYU Through a Journey of Thought and Sound appeared first on BYU College of Fine Arts and Communications.

Artists from BYU and Across the US and Europe Meet in Iceland to Collaborate on a Show in Santa Fe

Alexis Carver — Tue, 15 Oct 2019 17:33:54 +0000

Diverse artists establish an on-going relationship of community and unity For the past 10+ years, a group of BYU professors — including Claudine Bigelow (Music), Gary Barton (Art), Jen Orton (Art), Joe Ostraff (Art) and Linda Reynolds (Design) — have been collaborating with various artists across the U.S. and throughout the world. After a conversation between a few fellow collaborators — Ostraff, Nuala Clarke from Ireland, Karina Hean from Sante Fe, New Mexico and Ostraff’s wife Melinda Ostraff — the idea of “Odd Nature” was born. The idea evolved into a project where a team of 23 artists — including a total of six students from BYU, the U.S. and Europe — gathered together in Iceland to explore the relationship between humans and the natural world and the impact they have on each other. Each artist specialized in multiple disciplines including design, music, painting, drawing, printmaking, letterpress, book arts, video, performance art and installation work. Ostraff knew he was bringing together some power artists in Iceland, so he sat back and watched the creativity emerge. “I went into the project not wanting to be heavy-handed about what I thought should happen,” Ostraff said. “It will be an ongoing partnership that’s very organic and a lot bigger than I anticipated.” Art major Jeffery Hampshire — one of the six students who were invited to participate in the Iceland trip — discovered lasting ties and an unforgettable experience. “The Iceland trip was great because the students there mixed with professional artists,” he said. “We did projects together, but the main purpose was to set parameters for a future project. We are in communication today, even after that trip.” For Hampshire, the vision of his future changed because of the transpired events in Iceland. “I feel like an actual artist now,” said Hampshire. “The experience in Iceland has changed the way I’ll continue on future projects. I pictured myself as an artist working alone in a studio, but now I see a future of collaboration being a major part of my work.” Claudine Bigelow — a BYU viola professor within the School of Music — also participated in the Iceland trip. “Daily, we would have a workshop, connect it in some way with seeing nature in Iceland, and then we shared an evening meal and spoke about art ideas,” said Bigelow. “We got to know each other well and became fast friends in the process.” The trip was only Bigelow’s third experience working with visual artists. “I loved watching talented people create — watching their drawing and painting techniques,” she said. “It was important for me to watch really gifted artists speak with their own clear voice. I was honored to work together.” After the Iceland trip, 12 out of the 23 artists featured their work at the Santa Fe Community College art gallery in New Mexico. The show was displayed from Sep. 13 to Oct. 10. “Odd Nature” didn’t just establish opportunities for the artists to collaborate on future projects — it also taught life lessons. The title “Odd Nature” is not just an art show, but a definition of diverse people coming together to create something beautiful. “We hope people will find themselves in the project,” Ostraff said. “There were a lot of different people with different beliefs who came together to make ‘Odd Nature’ possible. The civility in the room allowed for people to collaborate even if they didn’t agree or have similar lifestyles and backgrounds, but they did agree to be kind, thoughtful, civil people and it’s been a great thing to think about.” The work was made possible through the generous support of The Ballinglen Arts Foundation and Brigham Young University. For a different version of the story and more visuals, visit art.byu.edu

The post Artists from BYU and Across the US and Europe Meet in Iceland to Collaborate on a Show in Santa Fe appeared first on BYU College of Fine Arts and Communications.

Homecoming Speaker Jared Benson to Present College Lecture on Creativity

Alexis Carver — Tue, 08 Oct 2019 15:34:42 +0000

Jared Benson is an alum of the graphic design program at BYU Jared Benson will present “Lessons Learned from a Creative Career” on Thursday, Oct. 17 at 11 a.m. in the Madsen Recital Hall as part of the University’s Alumni Achievement Awards during Homecoming 2019. In 2000, Benson graduated from BYU with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in graphic design. He is a co-founding partner and executive creative director at Punchcut — a digital product design company — that collaborates with clients and partners including Visa, LG, Fitbit and Toyota. Known for his ability to design engaging and intuitive user experiences, Benson has established a competitive edge throughout ever-changing technologies. Not only have Benson’s talents led him to success in technology designs, but his efforts in Punchcut have also allowed the company to specialize in business transformation for a better future.

The post Homecoming Speaker Jared Benson to Present College Lecture on Creativity appeared first on BYU College of Fine Arts and Communications.