Students showcase Bloomington, 'Off the Map'

For the 13 students in the Bachelor of Fine Arts photography program, "Off the Map," the ninth installment of the annual Alternative Show, is more than just a chance to showcase pieces they've been working on throughout the \nsemester.\nThe exhibition, which opens at 7 p.m. at 125 N. College Ave., was organized and produced solely by the students, whose tasks included everything from securing the venue to promoting the show to hanging each individual piece.\nFaculty members devised the show to give students an opportunity to organize an exhibit themselves. The professors in the program provide guidance and advice along the way, but it's ultimately up to the students to assemble the show, junior Mia Beach said.\nBeach, participating in her first alternative show, said she thinks the student-run concept is beneficial. She said that although she makes the art, oftentimes someone else decides where and how to display it. \n"It's very different to make the art and then install the show yourself," Beach said. \nThe show will include both individual photography and a group project. For the project, the students wanted to do something community-oriented, so they sectioned off a map of Bloomington and each person took a different area of the city to photograph, said Asia Harman, a senior in the program. The only part of the city they didn't include was the IU campus.\n"Everyone had to photograph things relating to their area," Harman said. "People took very different approaches, and it really shows the different sides to Bloomington."\nAs for what each student will show, Harman said it's "whatever inspires them at the time." She plans to show six pieces, which showcase different community organizations in Bloomington. \nBeach plans to show pieces that represent the idea of constraint, something she finds interesting. She also decided to branch out by altering children's books and putting her own pictures on the pages, she said. Those, too, will be displayed during the show.\nBoth Beach and Harman agree that although organizing the show can be stressful, it's worth it.\n"Pressure is good. When you're down to the wire, you get it done," Harman said.\nShe said she expects about 200 people to filter into the exhibit throughout the evening. \n"Because the show has been around for awhile, people seem to know to expect it, even those not affiliated with the University," Harman said. "It's a really big show for us."\nThe show is free and open to the public.