"He ruins all my art."
That's what love has done to Madeleine Sheldon-Dante, a junior in physics, whose video "Slides" is among the works in "Amorous Intent," a curated exhibition examining love at MIT, on view at the Wiesner Student Art Gallery from Feb. 2-22.
"In high school I used to be depressed," Sheldon-Dante says in the video's narration. "I kind of liked the inner darkness. But no no no no more inner darkness. Kinda just a gooey caramel center, I guess."
While Sheldon-Dante's experience with love leads to softened edges and curling toes, Jake Latcham finds more sadness, passivity and even aggression in the conflicted emotion. Through photographs, the freshman catches the agony of a friend's unrequited love ("His Serious Face") and the casual intimacy of an ear rub by riders on a subway ("Untitled").
The works, depicting various stages of love -- or lack thereof -- include photographic works, computer-generated graphics, acrylic and oil paintings and range in subject from the sorrow of love unfulfilled to the temptations of love just blossoming. All are by MIT undergraduates.
"Each piece seems to be somehow uniquely influenced by MIT culture, and the pieces are wonderfully diverse in both mediums and content," said exhibition curator Amanda Frye, a senior majoring in physics.
An opening reception on Thursday, Feb. 2, at 6 p.m., will feature performances by MIT singing and acting troupes. The Wiesner Student Art Gallery is located on the second floor of the Stratton Student Center. For more information, call x3-7019.
