Sam on the

Hey MIHS Art Lovers, it’s Sam on the SAM, and boy do we have some exciting stuff in store.

Since my last visit to the museum, they have added some incredible pieces that will be on display through the end of the year.

The main limited exhibit is called Dawoud Bey & Carrie May Weems: In Dialogue. It features two photographers whose work both comment on the everyday lives of Black Americans. Bey and Weems met in a photography class early in both of their careers.

The exhibition features dozens of photographs from both artists, showcasing their individual styles.

The art spans from the mid-1970s through the 1990s and there are photos taken all over the world. My favorite part of the exhibition was Weems’ series in Rome. There is a collection of images of a model facing away from the camera at several distinct roman landmarks. It allows the setting to take the focus but unifies the whole series by including the same model.

This exhibit alone is spectacular enough to warrant a visit, but the museum has many more exciting additions to offer.

In late October, the SAM added a new installation to the American Art galleries. Featuring American artists of all backgrounds, this permanent exhibit is refreshing and will be something I am continually looking forward to seeing when I visit.

My favorite composition from this gallery was the new Georgia O’Keefe piece. In her famous pastel whimsical colors, this painting adds to the diversity of art in the exhibit. Relative to other paintings in the room, the piece is small. However, the dynamic characteristics of the painting express fluidity, making it seem larger than it is.

As always, I left the museum wishing I had more time to browse and strongly recommend a visit if you’re looking for things to do during break. Head over on a rainy day, eat lunch at Pike Place and window shop downtown Seattle. Lastly, quick pro-tip: check out the SAM gift shop for some funky last minute holdiday gifts!

Ever since the third grade, “Elf” has made me dread Christmas. Despite the holiday season being a time for joy and cheer, somehow, Jon Favreau’s Christmas “classic” makes me feel decidedly unfestive. The film is reminiscent of a stereotypical annoying younger sibling or cousin you are begrudgingly forced to spend the holidays with–except it loses the charm of a young child as the “sibling” is played by a middle-aged, fully grown man.

While the film’s morals of sharing cheer and familial relationships manage to be present, as a viewer, it feels tiresome to even care about such themes when the viewing experience itself is so unenjoyable.

Kyle argues that the humor within “Elf” advocates for optimism without insulting the viewer’s intellect, but many of the jokes presented in the film are neither smart nor funny. Is it even possible to feel like your intellect is not being coddled when the jokes in the film are as stupid as “oh, look how big the toilet is!”? The only part I laughed at was when Buddy got hit by the taxi.

The film is at its best when not focusing on the holiday aspects like the mall Santa and Buddy himself. For example, I found the dynamic between Buddy’s work-oriented father, Walter Hobbs, and his family to be a great deal more compelling than Buddy’s antics.

Screenwriter David Berenbaum’s script itself when taken on its own has potential to create a funny, endearing and most of all enjoyable film, but the lead character, Buddy the Elf, is a grating, obnoxious person. Despite the film’s attempt to pass off his antics as humor, Will Ferrell’s portrayal is exhausting to watch.