Landscape Reflections
Landscape Reflections By Noé Toroczkai, 2nd Year ETA These paintings came from meditative moments in my travels within Korea where I was captivated by my surroundings and existed solely in the present. No thoughts, only an overwhelming sensation of warmth and connection to my environment. Snapping a picture during these moments does not do enough to convey the sense of inner peace and veneration for the surrounding nature that I experienced. Going through the labor-intensive process of creating these paintings allowed me to get to know the environment on an intimate level. Painting is a way that I can show my utmost respect to these places, by spending countless hours getting to know every stone, leaf, branch and flower that shared those moments with me. My hope is that these paintings provide an opportunity for the viewer to join me in appreciating the beauty of Korea’s natural landscapes. [Featured photos by Noé Toroczkai – Autumn in Bulguksa, Field of Comfort, Flora Garden ]
Twenty-one Twenty
Twenty-one Twenty By Brittany Scardigno, 1st Year ETA 2-1-2-0* The keypad lock on your apartment door beeps with rejection for the fourth time, setting off the alarm. Even though it is an alarm, and its purpose is to let others know that someone is trying to enter a space that is obviously not theirs (because if it was their own, they would know the code), the sound only lasts for thirty seconds. When the alarm stops, your fingers press: 2-1-2-0* Again. 2-1-2-0* You know this is not the correct code, yet your fingers keep pressing the same numbers. If you try the same numbers two more times, the useless alarm will sound and echo through the empty apartment’s stairway. You know this is not the code, because when you first moved in, you thought to yourself: “This code is so similar to the numbers my father used to use for his passwords.” You remember thinking this; so why do you keep pressing 2-1-2-0*? Because it is the correct code. There must be something wrong with the lock. It is the lock, not you. 2-1-2-0* Can a mind be conscious and unconscious at the same time? A mind can be conscious of a mistake being made while it unconsciously instructs the body to perform themistake. Consciously, you are sure this is not the correct code because it is not the same numbers your father used to use for his passwords. Unconsciously, your fingers push the keys: 2-1-2-0* There is an intruder trying to enter this space. Defeated, you walk up to your landlord’s door on the top floor. She becomes worried, asks if you are okay. You pay ₩200,000 for a man to drill into your metal door and replace the keypad lock. [Featured photo by Victoria Thiem]