My goal is to create art professionally that fuses together visual images with technology and sound to create environments that are impactful.  My love of drawing began in middle school and I knew I found my passion when I began using computers to create both art and music.  I have always thought of art and sound as connected.  I began playing piano at 4 years old, often in the dark.  I like to see music.  I began songwriting in high school, and much of my art is a visual representation of what I compose.  I applied to Carnegie Mellon because it is at the forefront of both art and technological advancement.  No other University I know bridges these disciplines more effectively, and I know CMU is a place that will stretch my artistic limits, challenge me to reach new heights and support my artistic goals.

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I started this year in the School of Design, hoping to blend art and technology with plans to minor in music theory.  I quickly realized that training in design, while an admirable path, did not match my strengths and aspirations. Unfortunately, design was unable to satisfy my desire to employ electronic media in a way that creates audio-visual experiences that communicate important ideas. After one semester in the School of Design, I committed myself to joining the College of Fine arts by becoming a transitional student and enrolling in a second semester School of Art curriculum. It is only after transitioning out of Design and taking up classes in the School of Art that I finally I feel like I have found my home.

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My journey began when I met a School of Art student who was working on exciting and boundary-pushing projects.  She told me about the amazing opportunities she had experienced, and I started to learn how the School of Art could guide me better toward my goals.  At her suggestion, I attended Alex Da Corte’s lecture at the Art School last October and was inspired by his explanation of how he brings some of his ideas to life through collaboration with others.  After the lecture, I went to the Carnegie Museum to see “57 Varieties,” his installation created for the 57th Carnegie International.  Using his “neon ghost house” as the environment, he filmed a series of 57 videos that played on the house’s “TV,” revealing modern American culture through cultural references.

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Inspired by the notion of bringing an artistic idea to life through collaboration that integrates visuals, technology and sound, I decided to take a previous idea to see if I could express it using a similar method.  The idea came from watching numerous hip hop videos, many of which focus explicitly on objectifying women.  I thought of creating an artistic experience that would turn this ingrained cultural idea on its head.  To bring my idea to life, I collaborated with students from the Schools of Art and Drama and worked with CMU’s K-Pop group “Seoul Style” on a performance art piece that flipped traditional roles.  I created the artistic concept with Simone Joy-Jones, a musical theater student.  We collaborated on visuals that would both mimic and pointedly reverse common hip-hop video scenes and set them to original music.  The result was a live performance piece that the School of Drama selected to be performed as part of “Playground.”  Seeing my artistic idea expressed through a collaborative process using a mixture of live performance, projection, visual elements, sound and technology was gratifying.  Being a student in the School of Art will provide the education, experience and support to continue both individual and collaborative projects using electronic and other media.  What I have already learned in my Electronic Media Studio: Intro to the Moving Image class has made an enormous difference in my artistic approach, preparation, research and implementation.  It has already begun to provide a framework for learning how to progress as an artist.  It is without a doubt my favorite class.  I look forward to going every Tuesday and Thursday.

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I was able to collaborate on another gratifying art experience outside the classroom at CMU.  Working with students in the School of Computer Science and the Tepper School of Business, I participated in a project that combined advanced computer technology, art and commerce called “inhuman error.”  Students developed a machine learning algorithm to transform familiar paintings and other images to modern streetwear by discovering patterns in classical art that match modern streetwear and use those common patterns to fuse images and create new art.  My role was to research classical art to use as the input and then to design the streetwear with the resulting new art. The outstanding students and disciplines offered here provide a one-of-a-kind environment to draw on unique resources at the highest levels to turn curiosity into expression. As an art student, these opportunities would cease to be solely extracurricular as they would be fostered by the curriculum, which would grant me the tools and time necessary to take them to the next level.

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The list of examples goes on and on….  I was honored to be asked by SPIRIT to paint one of their buggies for Spring Carnival, and I was also proud to be asked by Professor Riccardo Schulz to perform at sessions in CMU’s recording studio for students to learn about sound recording and production.  Where else could I find these kinds of opportunities that reinforce the education provided in the School of Art to reach my goals?  I honestly love it here at CMU, and I am so excited about the opportunity to transfer to the School of Art.  

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Through the 2D and electronic media studios and molding coursework I have already been fortunate to experience in the School of Art this semester, coordination with the Computer Science, Business and Drama Schools and student groups, and the sound facilities at CMU, I know that the School of Art is the only place uniquely positioned to provide the framework and opportunities necessary to accomplish my educational and professional goals. I sincerely hope you will consider my internal transfer application to the School of Art, so I can hopefully contribute to the long history of compelling art that has defined this great school.