MSU architecture senior鈥檚 photo accepted into international exhibition
Contact: Sasha Steinberg
STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥擜 Mississippi 大象APP architecture major with a passion for photography will see her work recognized in an international exhibition in Vermont next month.
鈥淕uided by the Moon,鈥 a digital collage by Heather L. Gillich of Gulfport, will appear in the 鈥淔ictional Narrative鈥 exhibition Dec. 6-Jan. 5 at PhotoPlace Gallery in Middlebury, Vermont. The international exhibition was juried by Emma Powell, an assistant professor of art at Colorado College who is known for creating art that visualizes questioning scenarios transcending the moment.
When reviewing submissions for 鈥淔ictional Narrative,鈥 Powell was drawn to images that made her curious about their greater context or storyline.
鈥淚 also looked for the mysterious images that conveyed intimate details while also relating to more universal themes,鈥 she said.
Gillich is enrolled this semester in the advanced photography course taught by MSU Professor Marita Gootee. Gillich said the setting of 鈥淕uided by the Moon鈥 is Discovery Park in Seattle, Washington, where she was 鈥渓ucky enough to catch a figure walking along the shoreline.鈥
鈥淲hen I took the photo back to my computer, I instantly saw the opportunity to exaggerate the curve of the shoreline. I decided to do so by multiplying and placing the figure in a descending order along its path,鈥 Gillich said. 鈥淣ext, I thought about what the figure was walking toward or following. That is when I came up with the idea to create a nighttime sky scene with emphasis on the moon. I felt like the final image told a clear story about the figure at this point.鈥
By depicting the moonlit beach and a duplicated traveler walking on the shoreline, Gillich hopes to inspire the viewer to question the search for his or her own dreams.
Also serving as area coordinator of the art department鈥檚 photography concentration, Gootee said the goal of her advanced photography class is to have students create a series of creative images based on one concept, a challenge that encourages them to 鈥減ush beyond the clich茅.鈥
鈥淚 believe in the students in the College of Architecture, Art and Design because this college houses the most creative talent in the state. Heather Gillich is one such example,鈥 Gootee said. 鈥淚 am proud of Heather for taking the risk to enter a professional competition. I am not surprised that her work was accepted. She is a very talented artist.鈥
To view more of Gillich鈥檚 work, visit .
Part of MSU鈥檚 College of Architecture, Art and Design, the School of Architecture offers the only curriculum in the state of Mississippi leading to a professional degree in architecture. Learn more at , and follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @CAADatMSU.
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