In light of the university’s decision to move classes to online instruction, we at Artistry have decided to cancel all our remaining meetings and events, including our March pitch meeting and weekly illustration workshops. We will be offering a way to pick up March pitches online, more information coming soon. We intend to publish our Spring 2020 issue digitally in April, but our printing status is still to be determined.

We want to thank everyone who has worked with us so far and encourage everyone to stay involved by picking up pitches online, and applying for our E-board later in the semester!

Although this was not how we expected the semester to go, we are still deeply committed to our mission of promoting engagement with the arts among Northeastern students. We do not intend to slow down and will keep publishing articles throughout the coming months.

Finally, we hope everyone in our Northeastern community, in Boston, and around the globe, are taking the necessary precautions to stay healthy and safe.

Please visit the CDC’s website for facts about Coronavirus 2019

All the best,

Nadia Naeem, President

'Emma' is the newest reimagining of Jane Austen’s classic novel about young, upper class Emma Woodhouse who, until recently, had faced few hardships in her own life. Not seeking a match for herself, she tries her best to set up her new friend Harriet with men in town, leading to many mishaps and miscommunications. It’s a beautifully retold story that is hilarious, heartfelt, and a genius satire of 19th-century society that succeeds in staying relatable to modern life.

Electric Guest at the Sinclair

Los Angeles-based indie pop duo Electric Guest brought high energy and impressive showmanship to their sold-out performance at the Sinclair on Feb. 10. The group, which consists of lead vocalist Asa Taccone and multi-instrumentalist Matthew Campton, released their most recent album, Kin, in October 2019 and began touring shortly afterward. While touring, musicians Luke Top and Reese Richardson join the group, adding a fresh element to their established dynamic.

'Game Changers' at the MAAM

'Game Changers,' on view at the MassArt Art Museum, features a collection that spreads across many mediums with one central theme at its heart: video games. The exhibition synthesizes the works of contemporary artists from all walks of life, each one utilizing mediums from VR and gaming platforms to acrylic paints and ironed Perler beads. The exhibition provides a myriad of approaches to using games and gaming culture as a means for delivering pointed messages. A common thread of social justice pervades throughout many of the pieces, while others explore more niche topics about human nature and our environment.

'Wendy' Soars as a Modern Retelling

“All children, except one, grow up,” is how J.M. Barrie famously introduces his novel 'Peter Pan.' With these six simple words, Peter Pan’s mythology was forever enshrined in our culture, becoming a symbol of the optimism of childhood and the refusal to sacrifice joy, adventure, and passion. The story of “The Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up” has stood the test of time through its many, many adaptations precisely because its themes are universal and, well, timeless.

'Black Histories, Black Futures' at the MFA

Cities are often thought about in terms that not only represent their present state, but their past influences and future directions as well. At the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA), local teens, in partnership with various local youth organizations, told a story of black history through art, with a special focus on Boston. Spanning the center of the MFA, the exhibit features 20th-century art pieces curated by Jadon Smith, Destiny Santiago-Mitchell, Jennifer Rosa, Alejandro Flores, Armani Rivas, and Jingsi Li, four of which curated their own part of the overall exhibit.

'The Righteous Gemstones' Review

Danny McBride hits the mark again with his third and newest HBO series 'The Righteous Gemstones', a twisted family sitcom set in the flamboyant world of Southern televangelism. The Gemstone family defines the role of religion in American capitalism and asks the question, “What would capitalist Jesus do?” The wealth, fame, and power that hails from their growing franchise of megachurches is (poorly) hidden underneath the mission to spread God’s message.

'1917' Review

A one-shot film is a film that appears to be, or actually is, taken in one continuous shot. No cuts, no breaks, no anything. Before watching the film '1917,' I had to ask myself “Do we really need another one-shot film, much less another World War I film?” And “why” is exactly what Director of Photography Roger Deakins asked when Director and long-time friend Sam Mendes first approached him with this proposal.

Michigan Rattlers at the Middle East

Alternative folk rock group Michigan Rattlers delivered an intoxicatingly soulful performance at the Middle East Restaurant and Nightclub on Feb. 9. This would be the third stop on their tour with independent rock singer Brent Cowles. The band consists of lifelong friends Graham Young, the guitarist and main vocalist; Adam Reed, the upright bassist and vocalist; Christian Wilder on the piano, and Tony Audia on the drums. The group began writing and performing music together at their high school in northern Michigan, and have since been perfecting their distinct blend of folk-inspired rock-and-roll and Western nuance. In 2018, the group released their debut full length album Evergreen.

'Reimagining Home' at the MFA

In the long hallway that holds the 'Reimagining Home' exhibit in Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts (MFA), you enter a span of Iranian history that begins with Bahman Jalali’s 'Image of Imagination' series and ends with Gohar Dashti’s 'Home' series. The exhibit explores Iran’s history and follows the path of mentor and mentee, as Jalali and Dashti were. Jalali’s robust influence shines through Dashti’s 'Home' as she takes surrealist means and a politically charged approach prominent in Jalali’s work to capture Iran. Where these works differ is in the past and the future.

Cold War Kids at House of Blues

American indie-rock band Cold War Kids energized a diverse audience at House of Blues on Feb. 1. The band started performing out of California in 2004 and, since then, has mesmerized people from all walks of life. Their sound has naturally evolved from blues-infused punk to alternative rock. With hits such as First and Hang Me Up to Dry, Cold War Kids has attracted a mass following of both young and old fans. Recently, they released an album titled New Age Norms 1, which is meant to be the first part of an upcoming album trilogy.

Little Women Review

“No, writing doesn’t confer importance, it reflects it.” “I’m not sure. Perhaps writing will make them more important.” These lines are from a conversation between Jo March (Saorise Ronan) and Amy March (Florence Pugh) respectively, and though it’s just a casual conversation in passing, it resonates loudly. Written and directed by Greta Gerwig, Little Women is the most recent adaptation of the classic novel by Louisa May Alcott that follows the lives of four sisters in the 1800s, moving between New York City and Concord, Massachusetts. This story of their “little life,” as Jo says, maybe isn’t quite as little, and it certainly isn’t so to Gerwig.

Illiterate Light at Great Scott

Illiterate Light, comprised of Jeff Gorman and Jake Cochran, rocked the stage of their sold-out show at Allston’s Great Scott. The intimacy of the venue worked in the duo’s favor and created an electric atmosphere filled with excited fans. The band’s music is the perfect blend of indie rock and melodic psychedelia. Their sweet vocals, layered over powerful guitar riffs and drum solos, create an elusive sound that fans just can’t get enough of.

'Sing Street' World Premiere

“Who the hell are you to tell me what to do? / You wear a dress and tell me not to wear brown shoes.” The makeup is bright neon and the costumes are wild. The economy is failing and people are out of jobs. Political unrest stirs in the streets and in the churches. New wave and punk rock are the language of the youth. Welcome to Dublin in the 1980s. Welcome to Sing Street.

Yuna at City Winery

Malaysian pop and R&B artist Yunalis binti Mat Zara’ai, known by her stage name Yuna, gave an intimate, heartfelt performance at City Winery on Jan. 26. Her show would be the first of two that night — her second performance also taking place at City Winery a few hours later. The talented singer, whose vocals touched audience members throughout night, grew up in Perlis, Malaysia and moved to Los Angeles, California once her music career started to take off. Yuna is currently on tour for her album Rouge, which both reflects on her identity as a global pop star, and pays homage to her home country of Malaysia.

'Kay Nielsen’s Enchanted Vision' at the MFA

Fairy tales have the ability to capture their readers, the stories they weave full of enchanting fantasy and disbelief. Danish artist Kay Nielsen worked to express these stories as illustrations, and did so for numerous works. Currently on display at the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) is Kay Nielsen’s Enchanted Vision, a one-room exhibit showcasing a selection of Nielsen’s prints from the Kendra and Allan Daniel collection.

'Queen and Slim' Review

'Queen and Slim' is not just another Bonnie and Clyde movie. The screenwriting debut of Lena Waithe tells the tale of a Tinder date gone wrong, where a black couple tries to escape their inevitable criminalization after defending themselves against a police officer. Directed by Melina Matsoukas, the film uses the theme of vulnerability and immortality to portray the story of two young adults and an unlikely relationship.

The Streaming Standoff

At the beginning of the decade, Netflix had just started their subscription-based online streaming service and were still competing with Blockbuster Video. Now, 10 years later, the media landscape has completely transformed. Video rental stores are practically nonexistent, Netflix and Amazon produce original series and films that garner widespread acclaim, and even cable television is on its way out. Netflix paved the way for the new era of media and entertainment, and countless other companies have followed suit. If you’re starting to get a little overwhelmed by the choices, don’t worry, you’re not alone.

Little Shop of Horrors Musical

At 140 Clarendon Street, in the intimate and cozy theater of the Lyric Stage Company of Boston, you’ll find director Rachel Bertone’s charming and inviting world of Little Shop of Horrors. The musical performance is brought to life in only a few square feet. Despite the modest stage, the set and cast bring authenticity to each element of the show, easily luring you into Mr. Mushnik’s run-down and “vintage” plant shop.

Count Orlov Musical

On Nov. 22, Arts Emerson, in collaboration with Stage Russia, brought the award-winning Count Orlov Musical to the Bright Family Screening Room at the Emerson Paramount Center. Created by renowned playwright Yuliy Kim and composer Roman Ignatyev, the same team behind the Anna Karenina musical and The Count of Monte Cristo, the musical originally premiered at the Moscow Operetta Theatre in 2012. It ran until 2016, earning its spot as one of Russia’s most popular musicals.

Marriage Story

Marriage Story begins with Charlie (Adam Driver) and Nicole (Scarlett Johansson) in a mediator’s office. They’re each stubbornly clutch a list of what they love about the other — and their pride. This is supposed to make the divorce process easier. Even though the film is set during the process of a divorce, it’s really about the marriage. It’s tender, it’s funny, and most importantly, it’s real.

Quixote Neuvo

Shuffling on stage in long, gray underwear, José Quijano (Emilio Delgado) waves a dented, lusterless sword in the air. His posture and thin frame suggest the weakness of old age, but his voice resounds with the steadfastness of a knight. He raises arms against the mischievous ensemble of Calacas, demons of the underworld, that taunt him, and he vows to avoid their clutches. Suddenly pulled from this dream, he wakes up at his desk, back to his reality as an old man in the care of his family.

Honey Boy

Honey Boy is a deep, shuddering breath after a long cry.

An autobiographical film written by Shia LaBeouf about his own father, writer LaBeouf and director Alma Har’el weave a deeply personal story that flashes back and forth between a 12-year-old Otis (Noah Jupe) and a 22-year-old Otis (Lucas Hedges). Otis is a child actor and proxy for LaBeouf, and LaBeouf takes us through his formative childhood, his relationship with his dad, and the journey he went through to get to where he is today.

Portrait of a Lady on Fire

French director Céline Sciamma's latest film, Portrait of a Lady on Fire, winner of Best Screenplay and the Queer Palm at the Cannes Film Festival, premiered at Independent Film Festival Boston’s Fall Focus mini-fest at the Brattle Theatre on Nov. 3. An aesthetically pleasing film focused on female relationships, it is a stunning addition to both women’s cinema and queer cinema.

Jojo Rabbit

Most kids create imaginary friends to run around with, share jokes with, and even confess feelings to when they’re down. However, not many have Adolf Hitler as their friend of choice. But most kids don’t have to grow up in a fascist regime. Johannes “Jojo” Betzler (Roman Griffin Davis) is a 10-year-old boy who is growing up too fast in the most unstable environment — with his imagination’s incarnation of Hitler (Taika Waititi) as his guide and companion.

Waves

I could paste this sentence at the top of a blank document, use said document as a template for every future review of an A24 movie, and, if their current winning streak is any indication, it would probably remain just as true. Founded only seven years ago, this entertainment company now dominates the indie film industry, consistently producing and distributing films of pristine quality, including Moonlight (2016), Lady Bird (2017), and Hereditary (2018).

Pain and Glory

“Live, I suppose,” states Salvador Mallo (Antonio Banderas) after being asked about his next steps, since he will no longer be making films. In Pedro Almodóvar’s Pain and Glory, Salvador, a long-time celebrated filmmaker, has seemingly reached the end of his road. His own body is failing him, everything hurts, and he is at a loss for desire. He is filled with this emptiness that seems to go on forever, and yearns for more, but has no idea what to do. It’s a simple film, filled with countless layers of emotion and history. It’s the tip of the iceberg of the reflection of an aging filmmaker, topped with the best ending seen in a while.

Fast Color

When talking about the superhero movie genre, most people would likely describe the type of movies made by Marvel Studios: fun, action-packed, and for the most part, light-hearted. Sure, the protagonists may face hardships, but they’re nothing that can’t be completely solved in two hours. Though this is undoubtedly a successful formula, it can often leave moviegoers wishing for more — it certainly leaves me wishing for more, at least. And that is what makes Fast Color such a breath of fresh air.

Read My Lips

Read My Lips, housed in the Krupp Gallery at Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts (MFA), is a collection of works exploring the way the world perceives the voices of women and how women, in turn, change their voices in response to expectations. It investigates the duality of connotations surrounding a woman’s lips, which hold visual cues of sexuality and fulfillment while also being the mechanism through which they empower themselves. Artists Patty Chang, Marilyn Minter, Sharon Hayes, and VALIE EXPORT each feature a video-based piece that conforms to the expectations of women while simultaneously criticising the absurdities and contradictions of such standards.

Sneha Shrestha

Sneha Shrestha can remember when she first began to fall in love with art. Growing up in Kathmandu, Nepal, she used to watch her mother create fantastical drawings with colored pencils, weaving stories together through her sketches. Today Shrestha, who paints under the name Imagine, is an internationally renowned artist best known for her unusual style: painting mindful mantras using the Nepali alphabet that combine the aesthetics of Sanskrit scriptures with American graffiti.

Viewpoints at the MFA

Currently on display at the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) is Viewpoints, a photography exhibit featuring works from the Howard Greenberg collection. The collection on display emphasizes the way photography captured life in the 20th century. Greenberg’s passion for photography is seen through the photos he collects, all which showcase the ability to reveal emotions that cannot be put into words.

​

We want to thank everyone who has worked with us so far and encourage everyone to stay involved by picking up pitches online, and applying for our E-board later in the semester!

​

Although this was not how we expected the semester to go, we are still deeply committed to our mission of promoting engagement with the arts among Northeastern students. We do not intend to slow down and will keep publishing articles throughout the coming months.

​

Finally, we hope everyone in our Northeastern community, in Boston, and around the globe, are taking the necessary precautions to stay healthy and safe.

Please visit the CDC’s website for facts about Coronavirus 2019

All the best,

Nadia Naeem, President