On June 6, the Woodruff Arts Center and High Museum joined forces to create the Smells Like Teen Spirit Film Festival and Parallelograms teen art exhibition. The film festival was a platform for filmmakers 21 and younger to showcase their masterpieces. Films ranged in genres of experimental, romance, stop motion and action. It was a unique experience to see how each film was different from its predecessor. I was very fond of the experimental film titled “The Counting Man” by Aaron Dylan Kearns. His film was like “The Mothman Prophecies” and was done in a creative manner.
After watching the films and a short panel, viewers were able to see the Parallelograms exhibition at Gallery 1280. The art featured was created by teenagers who submitted their art to the Woodruff Arts Center, VOX, New American Pathways and Chop Art. New American Pathways is an Atlanta based nonprofit organization that assists those from other countries with their journey toward getting U.S citizenship. The nonprofit Chop Art program was started to help homeless youth artistically express themselves. These programs all yearn to provide an artistic platform and support for the youth they serve. Here are a few selections from the exhibition.
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Artist: Kristen Wilder
Title: BW 1
Artist Statement: I drew this last summer when I could not sleep at night. The only real meaning behind this this is how great things can come out of boredom. I think the design is really cool and all of the lines have a cohesive moment.
Artist: Hope Lennox
Title: Marie Antoinette
Description: I am a huge fan of Sophia Coppola, and for the longest time I had wanted to paint Marie Antoinette. I chose to depict the queen in a more modern way by incorporating emojis I thought she would use, desserts she would eat, and designer jewelry she would wear.
Artist: Piera Moore
Title: Fish Scale
Description: A representation of balance and unity.
Artist: Cameron Carmen
Title: Flames
Description: I began working on this piece when winter was in full swing. The dullness of the weather made it difficult to find inspiration, after seeing an installation in New Orleans titled ‘You Belong Here’ I felt the flames of hope were a necessary addition.
Artist: Akobi Williams
Title: Trash
Description: I found the poster by a dumpster and added my thing to it.
Artist: Hope Lennox
Title: Space Pinata Installation
Description: I wanted to venture into the 3rd dimension space. I was running out of space on my walls, so I decided to start suspending art from the ceiling. There’s a wonderful effect when these pinatas spin and glisten in the night.
Artist: Kaitlyn Farmer
Title: Van Gogh
Description: The Van Gogh bust is a three-dimensional piece of art that shows how I see Mr. Van Gogh. Vincent Van Gogh is my favorite artist because I can relate to him on both an artistic and emotional level. I have always thoughts Mr. Van Gogh was very handsome and that he had an interesting face. I wanted to show Mr. Van Gogh as I saw him and how I admired him for his work and life, so I created a bust in his image.
