By Matt Terrell
Students who were not at the Marina Abramovic lecture on Feb. 24 missed out on one of the best events that SCAD has ever put on. This was the first time I have seen a lecture at SCAD Atlanta that was standing room only, and I think everyone who was there found it to be an inspiring talk.
Abramovic showed us not only the importance of performance art, but she also showed how performance relates to so many other art forms. The ideas she presented about the importance of artistic intent, concept, and integrity relate to all of the fields of study at SCAD — this lecture was exactly what the college should strive to reproduce.
One of my peers told me that Abramovic even took the time to sit and critique students in a performance art class. My friend said everyone in the class was floored to be able to talk to Abramovic; this was an opportunity very few students in the world would have. I hope that SCAD will continue to encourage visiting artists and lecturers to interact with students in deep, meaningful ways.
Too often I hear my fellow students complain that they don’t receive much quality interaction with our visiting guests — they feel the college whisks them through the hallways and shields them from students. I can see that the college wants to show off our incredible facilities — after all, they are one of the things that make SCAD so impressive. But, more than our beautiful building and high-end equipment, it is our students and their work that we should showcase. The kind of interaction Abramovic had with students shows how SCAD can give the students more for their tuition money.
And for students who still feel like they aren’t getting the quality lectures and professional interaction that would make their education better: Do something about it. Write a letter to “The Connector”. Talk to your professors, department chairs or academic deans. SCAD is not a cheap college, and we all deserve to get the most out of what we pay. However, don’t show up with a complaint if you don’t have a solution. As students it is our responsibility to know how to make the most out of our education; and fresh, practical ideas are what will drive positive change at this institution.
I hope that we will see more lectures and personal interaction like we had with Marina Abramovic. And, more so, I hope students will make sure to use these occasions to push their education forward.
Matthew Terrell is a graduate student in the writing program.
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