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As I wandered into Vassar College’s beloved dining hall for a late lunch, I noticed an uplifting change in the atmosphere. The typical uncomfortable, liminal ambiance had been replaced with stunning artistry created by none other than Vassar Artists’ Group (VAG). From thoughtful scratchings to anomalous collages derived from magazine clippings, VAG’s display entitled “Come Together” raises various questions about what love looks and feels like.
For their spring installation, VAG challenges the normative ideals of affection and calls upon its artists to “find love in the mundane.” The placard reads, “Common conceptions define love by having one person to give all of your feelings to, who will provide you with some sort of fulfillment in return. When people don’t check that box, they are somehow left out. A spectator of couples who hold hands and exchange gifts…Come-Together calls on artists to share a piece about connection, relationality, and love.”
Allen Hale/The Miscellany News.
After pondering their mission statement for a brief moment, I turned my attention to “LLLL,” by Maggie (Mdawg) Trunfio ’24. The piece is a collage that consists of both the written word and visual media, and I found myself utterly encapsulated in its presence. Erratic images overlook a deep, navy blue ocean in the middle of the night. Mismatched quotes come together to form complete thoughts that never would have existed in the first place if it were not for the artist. “He was thoughtful, through and through. Over worn sweater slightly wild beard,” is written in the bottom left corner, and I noticed it to be an intimate understanding of affection. A flip phone illuminates the top corner of the piece, reading “Be home soon,” offering the viewer a visual representation of the text that provides comfort from the one you love.
Allen Hale/The Miscellany News.
Next, I felt drawn to a piece that could have been torn straight from a sketchbook. Jagged, unkempt strokes fully encompassed the beige parchment and came together to form two bodies kissing. Immediately, I fell in love with this concept—in fact, I found that it reminded me of the Cigarettes After Sex song “Nothing’s Gonna Hurt You Baby.” The sensual, intimate moment captured by the artist mimics the delicate tapping of the drums and romantic lyricism embodied in the track. Every line drawn is messy and passionate, much like the kiss being shared. “Feeling Alma” by Alma Elías Nájera ’25 is undoubtedly my favorite of the bunch.
Allen Hale/The Miscellany News.
Finally, I noted a piece called “Doodle” by Audrey Miller ’27. The simplicity of the shapes and colors reminded me of child-like whimsy, a presentation of love dissimilar to its surrounding neighbors. Each small drawing is on a separate slip of paper, evoking innocence and authenticity. A green Tyrannosaurus rex roars above a kitten noticing a butterfly. A bouquet of flowers in crayon colors begs to be displayed on a fridge. I adored the overwhelming sense of nostalgia this piece brought to me.
If you feel so inclined, meander to the Gordon Commons booths and admire the beautiful artistry before you. Photos or my writing simply cannot do each work of art justice. Love can take on a variety of forms; think about what it can mean to you.
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