Closing art reception features collaborative short film

The closing art reception and film premiere for “Suitable Truth” will be held on Thursday, December 1 at 7-8 p.m. in the Campus Center Art Gallery.

The event will highlight the collaboration between senior art majors and sophomore digital media majors who worked to create and produce the “Suitable Truth” short film. The film will premiere in the Eckardt Lounge, with an additional looping video to run on an LED screen in the gallery for the duration of the exhibit.

“Suitable Truth” is an exhibit by artist Stephanie Lael Barrick that features wearable sculpture art. Barrick transforms materials in experimental ways, creating mixed media wearable art that is sculpture rather than fashion. Her wearable sculptures use content rooted in the Christian faith and Scripture.

Barrick came to Dordt’s campus in September and partnered with Professor of Art David Platter, Instructor of Digital Media Mark Volkers, and students on a video project where students modeled the wearable sculpture and shot footage. The goal was to create a 10 to 15-minute video that highlights Barrick’s sculpture.

“I’m tickled pink that our students have this opportunity,” says Platter. “This, to me, is what education is for; it’s collaborative between a practicing artist, students, and two academic departments.”

Barrick says that her impression of Dordt is of “a very Christ-centered, intentionally God-honoring community.”

“It was so refreshing to experience young adults who are well-mannered, sincere, and not wrapped up in worldliness. Not once did I see a student give their phone attention over a face-to-face conversation,” she says. “I fully intend to recommend Dordt University to my fellow East Coasters. I feel I have discovered a hidden gem in the cornfields of Iowa.”

Professor of Art David Platter says that Barrick’s wearable art sculptures are a dynamic example of visual theology that inspires us to experience Scripture as the Living Word.

“She examines Scripture through the lens of visual narrative and pours herself into material exploration through delicate and refined craft in fiber and textile arts,” he says. “Her work illuminates in captivating fashion, some of the ways God intertwines his covenant and grace for his people with a remarkable co-creative spirit.”

The sophomore digital media majors were involved in every step of the project, from pre-planning to shooting on location to taking the lead in post-production.

“Working in pairs, students edited the 4K footage into timelines. I graded each timeline then assembled a new timeline from the best of each submitted,” explains Volkers.

The December 1 screening will feature the final edited version of the “Suitable Truth” short film.

About Dordt University

As an institution of higher education committed to the Reformed Christian perspective, Dordt University equips students, faculty, alumni, and the broader community to work toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life. Located in Sioux Center, Iowa, Dordt is a comprehensive university named to the best college lists by U.S. News and World Report, the Wall Street Journal, Times Higher Education, Forbes.com, Washington Monthly, and Princeton Review.