Whispers and hushed voices echoed through a crowd of intrigued students as they filed into the basement of the University Center Event Cafe. Laughter, hugs, and the smooth sophistication of jazz music colored the room in excitement. Above, curious students surrounded the railing, looking down on the scene, some murmuring their approval. Downstairs, a party was in full swing. Guests walked through the room, pausing to admire various art displays of diverse mediums that lined the venue.

This past Thursday, Dec. 5, The New Gallery, a student initiative, hosted an exhibition allowing New School artists to share and appreciate each other’s creative works. Guests in attendance were invited to experience “The Humanistic Fingerprint,” a theme resonating deeply on both personal and academic levels, and offering a platform for students to center works around their individuality. The evening’s theme aimed to reflect both personal and collective histories, questioning the instinct of leaving something behind. 

Each corner of the room reached toward a unique perspective of the theme. Some featured works that evoked childhood memories, taking shape in creations like a reimagined doll, a circle of interactive stones, and a solitary empty chair. These pieces spoke distinctly to both the figurative and distorted recollections of the past. 

Ian Nicastro, a fourth-year integrated design student, shared the inspiration behind his piece. “I really like fashion, but many times it’s unsustainable. So I’ve been looking for ways to make it more sustainable that’s also interesting and rewarding,” he said.

Nicastro’s piece, Visible Threads, was a documentation of clothes he previously mended for friends. “I painted all of the clothes and then physically wove this red thread through as a physical representation of how they’re all forever connected to each other and to me,” he said. “All of these garments will live on in my friend’s closets, and they’ll all move away and travel but this thread will live, they’ll all be connected.” In the vein of sustainability in the fashion industry, Nicastro used this piece to advocate for the use of upcycled materials.

Students noted the space itself, appreciating how the basement’s forgotten corners had been transformed. For many, entering the exhibit immediately presented something eye-catching. Anna Czerkiewicz, a first-year design and technology student, was drawn in by the notes of jazz. She resonated heavily with the theme and the artist’s many differing interpretations. Her favorite piece in the collection was translucent painting, Amateur Contortionist by Shannon Ross. The image portrayed a female figure bending to fit into a bordered frame, while the background powerfully reflected back at viewers. “I love the composition and I love the position of the main figure. It’s like a distorted form and I’m really interested in that.” she said. 

Another captivating piece was Tickets Please! by Spencer Mazella. This work explored the consequences of instant gratification and the nature of disposability in a fast-paced world. It displayed two images of an MTA bus ticket — one pristine and the other torn and crumpled. The stark contrast highlighted the tendency to disregard objects once their immediate purpose is served, symbolizing the ease of quickly moving onto the next dopamine fix. 

Many of the artworks focused on discovering individualized creative voices and embracing self-expression. Untitled by Adelia Ishmuratova featured a symbolic and striking hand motif. Each hand represented a person, and as the hands grew, they occupied more space. The piece highlights the idea of connection, where separation only becomes apparent when examined too closely. Stepping back, the whole image reveals the true community around us.

The exhibit’s concepts of interconnectedness and memory resonated in videos, mannequins, paintings, and other crafted works that filled the walls, as the harmony of saxophone and drums from a jazz quartet of College of Performing Arts students continued throughout the night. Food and drinks were also served, further enhancing the gallery’s welcoming allure.

Sarah Miller, a third-year anthropology student, attended the exhibit in support of her artistic peers. “I’ve actually never seen this basement get put to such good use. This is a really refreshing nice vibe. I like the energy, I like the ambiance,” she said. Regarding the theme, she felt it came at the perfect time. “I love to see the work that my friends and peers have been talking about and watch it come to fruition. I feel like we don’t get to see workshops like these open to the whole school that are advertised really well,” Miller said. 

With each piece, artists skillfully captured their individuality, offering a poignant reminder of the past while making space for the present moment. The pieces transcended time, leaving a reflective and influential impression, proving the exhibit’s lasting fingerprint on participants and attendees alike.