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arts & culture
KANSAN.COM/SPORTS | MONDAY, NOV. 21, 2016
(March 21-April 19)
Pay attention to your health and well-being today and tomorrow. For the next month, with the Sun in Sagittarius, it's easier to explore. Balance action with rest
Taurus
(April 20-May 20) Relax and enjoy fun with friends and family over the next two days. Focus on managing resources this next month under Sagittarius Sun. Collaborate for shared commitments.
Gemini
(May 21-June 20) Enjoy the comforts of your castle over the next two days. Partnership thrives and strengthens under the Sagittarius Sun this next month. Aim for domestic
Cancer
(June 21-July 22) Communication flows
Communication flows today and tomorrow. Strengthen your physical health and vitality to energize for higher demand for your services this month, with Sun in Sagittarius.
(July 23-Aug.22)
Money's flowing in and out over the next two days. Keep track. For the next month, with Sun in Sagittarius, you're especially lucky
in love.
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
Virgo
Andrea Ringgenberg/KANSAN HOT SPOT was created by Professor Maria Velasco's Installation Art Class. In the Art and Design Gallery in Chalmers Hall. The exhibition ends on Dec. 7.
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(Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Add personal touches to your home decor this next month, with the Sun in Sagittarius. Family inspires you. Have your space reflect your tastes and passion.
Libra (Sept.23-Oct.22)
Libra
(Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Communication and networking gets results this next month under the Sagittarius Sun. Study, practice and write. Research your theories. Follow your curiosity and share what
develops.
Scorpio
a fortune.
(Oct. 23-Nov. 21) It's easier to make money this next month, with the Sun in Sagittarius. Stick to your budget. You can socialize without spending a fortune.
Sagittarius
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)
You have the advantage for the next month, with the Sun in your sign. Try a new style. Abandon a habit that's been holding you back.
you back.
Capricorn
(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
Begin a contemplative month under the Sagittarius Sun. Finish old business and projects to prepare for what's next. Rothe and ceremony soothe your spirit.
Aquarius
(Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Over the next four weeks, with the Sun in Sagittarius, you're especially effective on teams. Strategically coordinate your networks of friends for common goals.
Pisces
(Feb. 19-March 20) Your career takes off this month, with the Sun in Sagittarius. Smile for the camera, and keep producing the results that are gathering such attention.
Class creates 'HOT SPOT' at Chalmers
► OMAR SANCHEZ
@OhMySanchez
During a regular weekday on a hectic schedule, students may find it hard to set out a time or place for peaceful reflection. Student artists working in expanded media aim to change that with "HOT SPOT,"a new interactive exhibition at the Art and Design Gallery in Chalmers Hall.
"We were interested in something that was modular just because it is something that can grow," Olivia Hernandez, a senior visual arts student involved with the exhibition, said. "There's something really beautiful about organized repetition and synchronicity. I think especially in these very uncertain times, I think having a sense of order and repetition just as a concept is very nothing."
The exhibition features a circular labyrinth laid out across the gallery floor, taking one through the vibrant colors and laser-cut modules that encompass the space. Together eight graduate and undergraduate
students took part in the creation process as a part of the installation art class offered at the University.
There's something really beautiful about organized repetition and synchronicity."
Olivia Hernandez Senior visual arts student
The course is led by Associate Professor Maria Velasco. She said
the inspiration for the almost butterfly-shaped path was to invite those in the University community to take a break from their lives and explore the space's possibilities.
"We were just fantasizing immediately about it being a hotspot," she said. "What if the space was so beautiful that people would want to come here just to be, or to check their phones or rest.To cut off from other worries or classes."
Steps taken throughout the semester to accomplish this feat included delegating
tasks with the strengths of each individual artist.
Hernandez, a Miami native, said this aspect of coming together and working as a team brought out the best that the work could be.
"I think it's just important when you're working with a group to have each member setting each other for success," she said. "Now it has all come together really well and we've really found our stride as a group. I'm really proud of the work we made together."
In the process of creating the exhibition, one of the most
important aspects Hernandez said was the right color palette, a specifically chosen scheme meant to energize those who walk through it.
The "HOT SPOT" exhibition will run through Dec. 7 and is open Monday through Wednesday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
"Color as an elemental symbol and object or concept is very powerful. You hear about color therapy and how you can generate certain strength from palettes and again the fact that we didn't end up choosing a monochromatic palette, that we went for something lively, vibrant and enriching is perfect for it," she said.
Those who choose to visit during its run will see the array of colors, which include a variety of purples, oranges, and reds. All complement each other in a way that brings it together as a whole and will magnetize those who walk past it, Velasco said.
"Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" opened in theaters this weekend.
Contributed photo
'Fantastic Beasts' is exhilarating fun
▶ CAMERON McGOUGH @cammcgough
"Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" marks the "Harry Potter" series author J.K. Rowling's debut screenplay, and is a descent deeper into her world of magic. Set in 1920s New York City, the film introduces a new set of characters and circumstances 70 years prior to the events of "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone."
Magizoologist Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) travels to America on business concerning a rare magical beast. After crossing paths with aspiring bakery owner Jacob Kowalski (Dan Fogler), a number of magical creatures escape from Scamander's enchanted briefcase and wreak havoc on the
streets of the Big Apple. In order to return them back to his care, Scamander teams up with Kowalski and American witch sisters Porpentina (Katherine Waterston) and Queenie (Alison Sudol). Unbeknownst to the wizarding community, a sinister threat looms over New York City that poses an even greater risk to the magical and non-magical population than Scamander's creatures. "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" is exhilarating, hilarious and incredibly fun with just the right amount of "Harry Potter" heart.
Certain films within the same vein as "Fantastic Beasts," such as "The Hobbit" trilogy, tend to succeed to a similar method of cramming too much into one film. Unfortunately, this
is somewhat of an issue in "Fantastic Beasts," though it does little to derail any momentum. Three separate subplot points - two of which appear to be utilized for the posterity of the next four films in the franchise - contribute to an oversaturation of story. In addition to the main conflict of Scamander's quest to wrangle up his rogue magical creatures, the film takes a look at witch hunters (known as the Second Salemers), the Magicial Congress of the United States (MACUSA) and Gellert Grindewald, an evil wizard briefly mentioned in the Potter films who practiced dark magic before Voldemort made it posh. In the end, diehard "Harry Potter" fans will relish Rowling's vision. For first-timers or casual viewers of the
fantasy genre, "Fantastic Beasts" may be too overwhelming and eventful. Nonetheless, "Fantastic Beasts" delivers an impressive story that boasts moments of humor and levity that mix well with darker subject matter. Dazzling special effects showcase a much larger scope of magic than the "Potter" films, and the dive into the lore of this universe could make any fan giddy.
Rowling has managed to return to the world of "Harry Potter" without damaging the sacredness of the original films, unlike some creative minds of the past. George Lucas, for example, became universally admired in the 70s as the man who created the groundbreaking world of "Star Wars." Three movies and millions of satisfied fans made the trilogy an
indestructible brand. After nearly two decades without a new "Star Wars" film, it seemed as though Lucas put his beloved universe away for good. But by 1999, a "Star Wars" prequel film was out in theaters, aiming to satisfy even more fans. Subsequently, many turned on Lucas and dismissed the film as inferior to the originals. This is quite similar to what Rowling had going against her when she decided to return to the wizarding world that she created in the 90s and helped bring to life on the big screen in 2001. Fortunately for Rowling, her story will be much different than Lucas', as she has managed to avoid the sticky traps he fell into. Perhaps Felix Felicis is at play.
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