MCC students use their bodies as a canvas

McHenry County College students in the Learning Community class that combines Art Appreciation and Composition (ART/ENG 151) used their body as a canvas for expression and constructed garments using reclaimed or found materials.

Their assignment called for their garments to include a kinetic and/or sound-making element.

Michelle Nowland constructed a garment that creates a statement or awareness of conservation and recycling. She made a dress with a plastic garbage bag and Bubble Wrap.

Sean Myatt’s garment was a satirical statement about his generation, the millenials, being dubbed “the dumbest generation” because of college-aged students’ increased exposure to digital technology and less time with books.

He wrapped himself in power cords and taped hardcover books to the bottom of his shoes to represent the perceived notion of books being stomped out.

Jennifer Bochenek created a statement about how society teaches women to be beautiful no matter what. Her outfit compared “ugly” with “beautiful,” and her T-shirt stated that even a 5-foot, 9-inch tall woman at 120 pounds is considered too heavy to be a professional model.

“This class is awesome,” Nowland said of the Learning Community class. “The instructors (Amy Ortiz and Laura Power) are the best. They make us think outside the box. I got into it and started exploring my creative side. I see art in a very different way. We use critical thinking skills. I could never do a formal analysis of art until now.

Alex Saputo added, “All of our assignments are interconnected and lead into the next.”