Big Pig is Watching: Interdisciplinary Arts Original Works

Written by Bianca Chen

Walking around campus this winter, students might have noticed posters with the words “Big Pig is Watching.” And the question puzzling the minds of many—“Who is Big Pig?”—was answered when the Interdisciplinary Arts Original Works showcase opened its doors on the night of Dec. 5.

Inside the theatre, 200 hand-made pigs awaited for the audience to stroll in and adopt. Having collaborated with guest artist Cory McAbee—an interdisciplinary artist himself who takes on the roles of writer, director, singer, and songwriter—the Interdisciplinary Arts department put together their annual Original Works performance. There was the addition of an interactive experience of “George Orwell’s Company Toystore,” where students were invited into the Phoenix Theatre shop and greeted by a series of actors from the Interdisciplinary Arts department, went through augmented reality experiences, and left with a toy pig from the world of Big Pig.

When asked before the show about how audience members were predicted to react, Steven Speciale, Instructor of Interdisciplinary Arts, said, “My wish is for the audience to leave confused.” That is exactly how the audience felt, asking questions as to why pigs were chosen, what was going on, and commenting on the surrealness of the whole experience.

Speciale explained this intended confusion by explaining the intent of the unique choices: “Pigs are the power figures in [George Orwell’s novel] Animal Farm. Our toy store is one big propaganda the pigs use for control, and the augmented reality through the iPads reveal the pigs’ true intentions.”

Following the “Toystore,” the audience made their way from the Phoenix Shop into the Theatre. They then walked around the visual art gallery portion of the show, featuring photography, an interactive installation, and drawings or paintings. The artists were stationed next to their work, and guided viewers through their artistic concepts and processes.

Finally, at 7:30 p.m. the show began. Works ranging from original songs to dance choreography illuminated the stage with the talents of these multidisciplinary artists, which were warmly received by the audience who showed their enthusiasm in applause and cheers after each individual performance.

“The show went great,” commented the director of Interdisciplinary Arts, Clyde Sheets, after the performance. The audience members left satisfied, each with two pigs in hand, all awaiting the next surprise the Interdisciplinary Arts students will bring for the IAA community.