For the first time this year The University of Memphis theatre, music and art departments will come together for a free exhibition on campus.
The Art for Art's Sake Hour will take place today at 1 p.m. outside the theatre and communication building and will feature an art showing as well as a variety of performances.
"We are trying to bring together the music, art and photography departments to have one big event solely for the benefit of the students," said Jason Bishop, organizer and senior theatre major. "We aren't making any money and there is no corporate sponsorship.
"We are just a bunch of artists making art because that is what it is our nature to do."
According to J.G. Vinson, organizer and senior theatre major, this is the first tri-departmental event of this nature on The U of M campus.
"Basically we are just providing the forum, it is up to the individual artists what exactly they want to exhibit," Vinson said. "We are planning on holding several more events such as this during the semester."
Music will initially include the Commedia Del Arte String Trio and the Island Drummer, but musicians are encouraged to attend and perform.
A variety of performance art is also scheduled including monologues, theatrical dialogues and less conventional performances.
" (U of M art professor) Cedar Nordby is planning on doing something, but we're not exactly sure what it's going to be," Bishop said. "That should prove pretty interesting."
Senior theatre major Steven Carignan has been studying in Italy for the last year and will show The U of M what he has learned on the other side.
"I will be performing some Italian mask work," Carignan said. "This has been a the prevalent form of theatre in Italy for the last 500 years."
Carignan will portray a variety of stock characters which he transitions to and from by changing masks.
"We see many modern examples of these same characters in movies and sitcoms, pretty much anywhere," Carignan said. "In this case they are just represented by the masks."
The organizers are hoping for a large turnout to see their work and so they can publicize the future events they wish to hold.
"We plan on holding similar exhibitions on September 28 and one on Halloween," Vinson said. "We are all very excited and we hope a lot of students come out and show their support."
