Intermedia Showcase

The Intermedia Showcase was hosted at Iowa City's wonderful Public Space One on the evening of October 28, 2016. It was organized by the Intermedia department at the University of Iowa, and was overseen by UI Graduate Student and Intermedia instructor, Naoki Izumo. The Showcase featured an array of events, performances, and installations that brought together artists, audience, and technology in experiences that evoked a wide range of emotions, from isolation to humor and catharsis.

ANDREW CHUPP
Anecdoche, Installation and performance; Photo by Gilbert Phelps, 2016

Andrew Chupp is a 25-year-old art major at the University of Iowa. In addition to being a student, he is also a performer, photographer and freelance retoucher whose work has received local and national recognition. After graduation, Chupp hopes to expand his business and continue to create meaningful and powerful artwork.

Andrew set up his installation in a corner, surrounded himself with statistical reports and unflattering articles about his generation, and, "chained" by play money and covered in labels ("selfish," "broke," "entitled," . . .), sat for the entire evening staring at his phone, apparently oblivious to everything around him—perfectly enacting the stereotype of "disaffected millennial." He steadfastly ignored queries from confused visitors to his part of the Showcase who were trying to figure out what was happening. His audience was left to look more closely at the writings on the wall and figure it out for themselves. The effect was one of poignant isolation.


In his own words

Anecdoche: A conversation in which everyone is talking, but nobody is listening.

As part of the millennial generation I'm often frustrated with the criticism and generalities placed upon us by older generations. Millennials are facing an unprecedented and unique set of challenges which will have a monumental impact on our success in the future. In this piece entitled Anecdoche I seek to represent our point of view while recognizing the pitfalls that occur when two parties are talking loudly over one another, missing the opportunity for meaningful and productive conversation.