Shaya's creations

In my first semester of college I took a writing intensive seminar style class in literature. I remember learning a lot, but I also felt that I never shared as much as I should have in class, nor did I write as well as others in class. I was constantly worried about what everyone would think about my ideas, and it prevented me from fully experiencing what the class had to offer.  I decided to address this insecurity, as well as my problems with writers block, in my personal space and installation project. In my personal space and installation project I went back to the same classroom every day for 5 days and I sat in my same spot around the seminar table to write. I set a 20 minute timer and wrote non-stop, without allowing myself time to think or hesitate. By the end of the 5 days I had filled both sides of a large newsprint paper.  This performance art piece shifted my experience of the space from one of intimidation to one of comfort and self-expression. I also now have a p...

In class we were randomly assigned partners and were told to meet at the exact halfway point between our two dorm in order to set up an installation that would heighten or alter people's understanding and interaction of the space. My partner and I met at the stairs between our two dorm halls and decided to set up a waterfall installation with salmon jumping up the steps. Our goal was to have the river cover the stairs so people walking up then would be participating with the fish in their struggle upstream, but we ran out of chalk and had to make the installation smaller. When presenting with the class, some appreciated how the installation represented the struggle students on campus face when they head up to their different classes every morning. Another student mentioned how this is the current migration season for these salmon, and they thought our art did a good job of showing that change in seasons and the shift towards new beginnings.