IMA presents good, limited selection of contemporary couture, ready-to-wear
April 3, 2008
By: Tim Chai <tchai@hilite.org>
Figure-hugging Azzedine Alaïa cocktail dresses. Sculpture-inspired Issey Miyake evening gowns. Paper Rei Kawakubo balloon skirts. One word: fierce.
The Indianapolis Museum of Art’s temporary exhibit, running from March 16 to June 1, shows contemporary fashion from the Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s (LACMA) permanent exhibit of the same name. The exhibit, boasting some vintage creations by Christian Dior, Charles James and Gilbert Adrian, presents designs by current fashion giants like Jean Paul Gaultier, Karl Lagerfeld, Martin Margiela, Thierry Mugler and Yohiji Yamamoto.
Although “Breaking the Mode” showcases many excellent examples of both couture and ready-to-wear, the so-called “extensive exhibit” at the IMA is severely lacking in overall selection. Granted, though the $6 IMA student ticket is cheaper than the $9 general admission at the LACMA, the collection in its entirety is far more impressive and breathtaking.
When I first heard that the collection—with its purpose to challenge the typical idea of aesthetic beauty—was coming to less-than-fashion-forward Indiana, I was hopeful that it would stretch Hoosiers’ ideas about the limits of beauty in unconventional, surreal outfits. I was disappointed. Although I heard exclamations of recognition of big names like Versace, the exhibit did a poor job giving information on lesser-known designers. Arguably the gems of the collection, the designs of the old masters were the ones most ignored. (One poor lady mistook the Japanese brand Comme des Garçons as a European designer with a “weird name.”)
Where the exhibit succeeds is in its organization of the collection, which is broken down into four sections: construction, material, concept and form. Each is rich in diversity; luxurious pink chiffon and silk gowns are placed next to dominatrix-style black leather dresses. Each section also presents an innovation in either the use of textile or the shaping of the body’s silhouette.
Construction deals with how the dresses were made, timelining the change of Christian Dior’s couture handiwork to today’s deconstructed or inside-out seams of Comme des Garçons. Vintage gowns constructed with the old method of “couture finishing and detailing” starkly contrast with the fringes and ripped seams of designers like Margiela.
The innovations in materials are astounding. The exhibit displays a wide array—from silk and chiffon to plastic to oil-covered paper to neoprene.
Finally, form and concept, two intertwined aspects of fashion, truly show why fashion is an art form. From the constraining corsets of the pre-Modern era to the sculpture additives made possible by modern innovations, these two sections are the most awe-inspiring. One example is a cocktail dress by Gaultier. The lining, which is cut larger than the outside layer, is twisted on the bottom so that it flutters away with every step. Right next to this dress is a creation by Rei Kawakubo, which merges the traditional Japanese kimono into a contemporary evening gown. While the bodice resembles the obi sash of a geisha outfit, the fabric of the skirt, which is printed with a painting of bamboo, is draped like a European dress. In this, Kawakubo references Japan’s intricate art while creating formal attire that redefines the traditional evening gown look.
Most designers showcased at the exhibit are inspired by the unique interpretation of everyday objects. In the concept area, the exhibit showcases a jacket ensemble by Moschino that emphasizes the exhibit’s underlying theme of surrealism. The silverware is literally on the jacket, which has alternating forks and spoons for buttons.
Whether “Breaking the Mode” showcases contemporary or vintage designs, the exhibit puts a fun spin on fashion that foreshadows the future for fashion. It shows that beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder.
Stir Crazy fails to glorify stir fry
April 3, 2008
By: Bennett Fuson <bfuson@hilite.org>
It’s been an issue I’ve seen on a fairly frequent basis this year, an issue that has gotten me in a fair amount of trouble for commenting on: identity confusion. When restaurants cannot decide what sort of restaurant they want to be, a culinary version of playing dress-up ensues. Although it has on a few instances worked in favor of the restaurant, the majority of confused cuisines enter a world of mediocrity, or worse. Read more
HiLite’s movie critic suggests line-up for break movie marathon
April 3, 2008
By: Sam Watermeier <swatermeier@hilite.org>
“The King of Kong”
If you think that the world of “Donkey Kong”-playing is not intense and interesting, this film will prove you wrong. It is a documentary about two men competing for the world high score in “Donkey Kong.” Believe it or not, this film will have you on the edge of your seat and fill you with inspiration. DOCUMENTARY
“Confessions of a Dangerous Mind” and “Good Night, and Good Luck”
These films must be watched back to back because they really go hand in hand. They are both directed by George Clooney and both tackle the media. “Confessions” is about Chuck Barris, television producer by day, CIA assassin by night, and his trashy, mind-polluting TV shows. “Good Night” is a response to that film. It shows that TV should be given more power to inform and inspire through the story of reporter Edward R. Murrow’s defiance of McCarthyism. CONFESSIONS - BIOPIC / GOOD NIGHT - DRAMA
“That Thing You Do!”
This is a perfect film to kick off spring break because it is one of the most fun, wholesome and feel-good movies you will ever see. It tells the rousing story of a fictional “one-hit wonder” band in the ‘60s aptly named The Wonders. This is Tom Hanks’ screenwriting-directorial debut, and he also stars as the band’s manager along with Tom Everett Scott, funnyman Steve Zahn and Liv Tyler. With their passion, energy and creativity, it is a treat to watch these actors doing “that thing they do.” COMEDY
“Chuck & Buck”
This “stalker comedy” is as tense and moving as it is funny. Mike White, the writer of “School of Rock,” wrote the screenplay and stars as Buck, an immature man who clings to his childhood friend Chuck and disturbs his adult life. This film explores interesting ideas about arrested development and friendship. COMEDY
“Bottle Rocket”
Owen and Luke Wilson star in this Wes Anderson (“Rushmore,” “The Life Aquatic”) film about wannabe thieves and their heists-gone-wrong. What could possibly be funnier? Seeing this movie once is not enough. Trust me; you will not regret spending a whole
day on your break watching this
comic gem. COMEDY
“Punch-Drunk Love”
Want to see Adam Sandler actually deliver an effective serious performance? This film is the ticket. Sandler stars as a socially inept salesman who finds love in this strange and original Paul Thomas Anderson film. This is a good film to watch before renting “There Will Be Blood” to truly get an idea of Anderson’s range as a filmmaker. ROMANTIC COMEDY
“Altered States”
If you want to experience a scary, exciting mind trip without breaking the law and damaging your health, watch this film. It stars William Hurt as a scientist whose experiments with sensory deprivation and isolation tanks take him on a hallucinogenic, nightmarish journey. As you may have guessed, this film is crazy and unpredictable. For adventurous movie lovers, it’s a must-see. SCI-FI
“Layer Cake”
Before he was Bond, Daniel Craig starred in this cool British gangster thriller. The dialogue is sharp, the characters are interesting and the suspense never stops building. It’s “Goodfellas” meets James Bond, Guy Ritchie meets Martin Scorsese. This film is an adrenaline rush. SUSPENSE
“Scream”
This film works as both a satire on slasher films and a genuinely scary movie. Master of horror Wes Craven brings his signature style to this smart
and hip film. HORROR
‘Leatherheads’ lacks football, focuses on period, relationships
April 3, 2008
By: Bennett Fuson <bfuson@hilite.org>
It seems that in the past few years, sports history, always an entertaining genre, has become the fodder for many “inspirational” films. Remember the Titans. Glory Road. Radio, sort of. The fad has become so popular that there has even been a send-up to the genre (although if you actually saw “The Comebacks,” you probably won’t be able to read all these big words). So, in an effort to ride the wave of genre success, director/actor/”Sexiest Man Alive” candidate George Clooney decided to tell his version, commonly known as “Leatherheads,” of one of the greatest moments in sports history: the founding of professional football.
If needed, read that sentence again, because it is in fact correct. George Clooney, the man behind the smarmy Danny Ocean in the “Ocean’s” trilogy, telling the story of the pigskin, the pinnacle of man’s achievement regarding civil brutality, seems like an odd joke, especially since most of Clooney’s roles require very little physical strain. Clooney plays Jimmy “Dodge” Connelly, captain and star player of the Duluth Bulldogs (historically, a Minnesota hockey team). The Bulldogs, like most professional football teams in the 1920s, have fallen under rough times due to lack of interest in professional football, interest that has shifted toward the collegiate level. In order to keep his players’ jobs after a loss of sponsorship, Connelly enlists the talent of collegiate football’s most popular athlete, Carter “The Bullet” Rutherford, played by John Krasinski (better known as Jim from “The Office”). Connelly’s got a secret about his past, and it’s up to reporter Lexie Littleton (Renee Zellweger) to figure it out. Did you catch all of that?
First off, let’s clear something out of the way: “Leatherheads” really isn’t a football movie. Football is certainly there, but it’s about as important as the boat in the first half of “Titanic”: essentially, it is the clear glue that holds everything together. Yet for what it mildly lacks in man-on-man folly, “Leatherheads” makes up in relationship humor. Clooney and Zellweger are perfect sparring partners, since each has the cool personality and intellect to retort the other’s witty remarks. Their relationship is drenched in over-the-top rhetorical antics, yet the two deliver performances that really make you feel for the situations both are stuck in. Clooney also contends with his profane, alcoholic sports writer Suds (an underappreciated Stephen Root, of “Office Space” fame) and Rutherford’s coolly evil manager C.C. Frazier (an overappreciated Jonathan Pryce, better known as Governor Swan of “Pirates of the Caribbean”).
Clooney and Zellweger aren’t perfect. Clooney acts as though he took his role from “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” and put on a fancier outfit. Zellweger acts with an air of fierce feminist independence, which suits her character well. Unfortunately, history says that her Lexie Littleton should have kept her mouth shut for another 40 years. Yet Clooney and Zellweger keep the movie from sinking, while the rest of the cast seems to bucket in the boredom. John Krasinski, who usually kills on “The Office,” was a horrible miscasting mistake by Clooney. His performance as the “aw, shucks” everyman caught in a less-than-desirable situation seemed very forced and fake, which could be due in part to my expectation after every line to give his classic smug grin at the camera, then pull Dwight Shrute’s stapler out of the football. Krasinski, although a major player in the television industry, is not yet ready for a role of this size. Pryce, as the smooth-move, big shot sports manager, acts with a level of smugness that not even Clooney could surpass. And that’s not a good thing.
SStill, “Leatherheads” proves to be a worthwhile film, if not directly for the sports appeal. The film ran about 20 minutes more than it should have, especially with the formation of regulation football, but the cast remained lively enough to finish out the film. And although the supporting cast did little, if anything, to fulfill its title, Clooney and Zellweger carried “Leatherheads,” even if not to a cinematic touchdown.
SUMMARY
Starring: George Clooney (”Ocean’s 11″), Renee Zellweger (”Bridget Jones’s Diary”), John Krasinski (”The Office”), Jonathan Pryce (”Pirates of the Caribbean”)
Director: George Clooney
Rating: PG-13
In theaters: April 4, 2008
Grade: B
Choirs continue tradition with “Evening with the Ambassadors”
March 14, 2008
By: Lexi Muir <lmuir@hilite.org>
This year’s annual “Evening with the Ambassadors” is set to take place on March 28 and 29 at 7:30 p.m. The event will take place in its usual location at the auditorium. Those tickets, which range from $8 to $15 depending on the location of the seats, are on sale at the bookstore.
For those unfamiliar with the event, “Evening with the Ambassadors” is a showcase that is put on by the two competition choirs here, the Ambassadors and the Accents. Throughout the evening the choirs showcase their competition sets for their friends and family to show what they have been working on all year. Along with the competition sets, students will perform many solos as a chance for their family and friends to recognize them individually as well as with the choirs.
Taylor Bossung, member of the Ambassadors and senior, said that the evening will be a great chance for the Ambassadors and the Accents to show their talents and hard work from this year. He said that he likes the combination of the Ambassadors with the Accents because it is more interesting to the audience to see them together.
“It is a chance to relive the year and wrap it up,” Bossung said. “I think it will be great.”
American St. Patrick’s celebrations differ from Irish
March 14, 2008
By: Renny Logan <rlogan@hilite.org>
While in Ireland St. Patrick’s Day is hailed as a highly religious holiday, during which schools, as well as government offices, are closed and families go to church, American acknowledgement and celebration of the holiday tend to be more secular and carefree.
“I wear green and pinch people who aren’t wearing green for fun,” senior Francis Nwosu said. “It’s all just for fun.”
Nwosu admitted he doesn’t know much about the origin or history of the St. Patrick’s Day and that he doesn’t have a bit of Irish in his blood; however, he said he celebrates the holiday anyway, just as a way to have fun.
Junior Erica Gould said she agrees. Gould, as well, celebrates the holiday in her own way. “My dad makes green pancakes for breakfast,” Gould said. “I deck out in green and I have a St. Patrick’s party every year.”
“In Ireland, (St. Patrick’s Day) is a holy day of obligation,” Charles Sinclair, science teacher and an Irish-American. Sinclair said he was born in Ireland and is 100 percent Irish. Not only was he brought up with the culture, he was also educated in a Catholic school system which celebrated the holiday. “We had a lot of Irish as well as Italians,” Sinclair said.
Gould said her reasons for enjoying the holiday are simpler. “I’m not really Irish and I don’t have a religious reason to celebrate it; it’s just one of those holidays that doesn’t get a lot of attention,” Gould said. Additionally, Gould said her favorite color was green and that this contributed to her liking of the St. Patrick’s Day.
Typically, Sinclair said he would take the day off from work but St. Patrick’s happened to fall in Holy Week and he would therefore not take the day off. Any other year, Sinclair said he would have spent the St. Patrick’s playing the bag-pipes at various venues.
What Sinclair will be doing to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day this year, he said, is sitting down to the traditional Irish-American meal of corned-beef and cabbage and potatoes. In Ireland, the meal is traditionally served with Irish bacon, which is similar to corned beef.
Irish or not, the holiday is one celebrated by both cultures. Whether the individual celebrating the holiday indulges in traditions or simply adorns himself in green, the culture of the holiday and the enthusiasm of celebration are what count. Sinclair said, “The Irish have been very conscious of keeping the culture alive both in Ireland and here. (St. Patrick’s Day) is a chance to reflect on heritage. Different cultures have different days; everyone should be proud of their heritage.”
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