Artists' Guild dresses up at ICA

With flickering candles, eerie music and a gory music video playing in the background, students were greeted at the door of the Artists' Guild Halloween ball last night by the likes of Frankenstein and Cleopatra. "Intaglio II: the Masquerade," which was held at the Institute for Contemporary Art, offered food, drink and an exhibit of artwork by members of the Artists' Guild. The ball served as an introduction to this year's Artists' Guild Intaglio program, which "invites the entire Penn community into the ICA for a coffee hour-type opportunity to view art from Artists' Guild members," according to College senior David Magid, a member of the Guild. As students walked through the exhibit, they viewed pieces by members of the guild and were able to discuss the work directly with the artists. Of particular interest to several students was a music video presented by Guild member and College senior Matt Williams. Williams looked on as a group of students watched his video, explaining that "this piece is absurd -- chaotic, with an inner message that I leave to the audience to discover." Other pieces were also displayed, including one Halloween-theme table entitled "The Shrine To La Muerta." Disguised as Cleopatra, Guild President and College senior Rori Duboff said the program was a way for the Guild to publicize the rarely used resources of the ICA. "[The Guild] encourages each individual to make their own art," Duboff said. "This is a format in which artists can both socialize and display their work. "This is also a chance to create art -- Guild members as well as students can feel comfortable just sitting here, talking and drawing," she added. College senior Bryanna Millis, who is the curator of the Artists' Guild, urged other students to join the group and use the ICA as an opportunity for intern and work-study programs. "The Guild provides structure for students looking to pursue artistic interests," she said. "[The Guild] uses the space and resources of the ICA to give students a chance to express themselves."