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Above view photo major Adam Johnson's ('13) Thesis project: The Weather Where You're From

The very way that we see things reveals secrets about us: what we see reveals what we are looking for, what we are interested in. This is as true of our vision of things that we take to be outside us as it is of our vision of ourselves. -- John Edward Russon, Human Experience Whether a painting, photograph, or projection, art is generally viewed as a window that looks out onto another world. My interest lies in art that intentionally represents a mirror - one that reflects back to us how we see and, ultimately, who we are. Inspired by the repetitive structural techniques of minimalist composers and musicians, The Weather Where You're From is a single channel video projection that explores perception, repetition, and the interpretation of time in an effort to illustrate the reflective nature of art.

PNCA Photo major Elias Parise worked with video and photography for his Thesis project, which he defended in December 2013.

A Gift of Mud consists of eight environmental portraits of homemade skateboard constructions and their owners, each of which has been documented in photography and video. Nestled in the Pacific Northwest of United States lies one of the most abundant areas in the world for structures designed, constructed, and used by skateboarders within their own properties. My thesis is an exploratory effort to document and record the stories of the individuals who have built these structures and to relate them to the rest of skateboarding’ niche sub culture and how these peoples’ efforts provide for the progression and value within my community. I also wish to communicate the way in which the embedded DIY values within skateboarding define a unique type of gift culture that lives outside the boundaries of commercial culture and in doing so, returns the art and culture of skateboarding to its counter culture roots. My photographs are the direct documentation of the proud owners who have constructed these unique bowls and ramps. I hope for them to live on as a testament to the dedication of the betterment of skateboarding and to continue to inspire others to create within their community.