JustArts: How did you become interested in pursuing a Fine Arts major at Brandeis?Ari Tretin: I was always interested in pursuing something along the lines of Fine Arts. I always wanted to do architecture. As a first year I realized, while taking an art history course in Architecture, that I just wanted to pursue the arts. Realizing that Brandeis can only offer me one of three things for that, which was sculpting, painting or an art history major, I chose to study sculpting in the hope that after Brandeis I will continue to pursue the more specific field of my choice.

JA: What do you think of the Arts program Brandeis offers? Do you believe it falls under the "liberal arts" category the school defines itself under?

AT: I definitely feel that the school falls under its own category, that it defines as liberal arts. I do however feel that they are lacking, in a certain sense, the amount of courses and subjects that they should be offering. I feel that there should be a greater number of majors and minors under the "Fine Arts" title, in order to broaden the fields of study for the undergraduates. It doesnt seem like the Arts at Brandeis are so important to people because it is so small, and it should not be that way. The introductory classes fill up in moments for people to fulfill their creative arts requirement and I think there should be a large number of introductory arts courses so that you're not stuck choosing between intro to drawing, sculpting, painting and printmaking, but one has the option to take those or one of many more courses offered. Recently, when asked by upperclassmen what I major in, and I respond with Studio Art, I have recieved reactions such as "Wow, you're the only person I know doing that!" or "that's amazing, I didn't know we had such a thing!" which seems very upsetting, because in my mind the Arts are very strong at Brandeis; however, there just isn't much of a focus on them.

JA: How have the fine arts programs helped you pursue and grow your own interests as an artist?

AT: One thing the program has allowed me to do is to fine tune my specific interests in the arts. Like I said, I came in with an interest in Architecture; however, I have messed around with other ideas, and contemplating pursuing other areas and I have wound up with very intense focus on pursuing the field of Graphic Design once out of Brandeis. Brandeis has many things on campus to help me pursue Graphic Design, such as the media lab, the freedom to take multiple arts courses to stimulate all the creative bones in my body, and has continued to keep me interested in the subject, which is what matters the most.

JA: Do you have any projects you are currently working on? Will any be exhibited at Brandeis?

AT: Currently, I am working on a collection of refurbished and painted sneakers. A few of these sneakers I received in what I would call utter turmoil. I fixed up the shoe, with some of my sculpting knowledge, cleaned them up, and then gave them a paint job, mixing two medias, sculpting and painting. In addition to that, I actually am painting new sneakers in order to spruce them up a little bit, and I collaborate with another student, Brahm Wachter '12, on the subject. A new thing that I have taken up, is actually the production of Silhouette pieces on canvas. These pieces are everyday things such as children on a swingset, or a baby standing over the edge of its crib. However these Silhouettes will not only be in black and white like the typical Silhouette but they will be in solid colors with, depending on the case, a background to the image. The art that I do is exhibited at Brandeis, however, I do not believe either one of these projects will be. I had three sculptures featured in a show at the end of the year, and those are now sitting in storage back home. There will be more opportunities for my artwork to be showcased, and I can only hope that everything that I do will one day be featured in a gallery together.

JA: Finally, who are your artistic influences?

AT: My artistic influences are more than just a specific person as most people would say. I am, however, inspired by Frank Gehry, who sparked my interest in architecture. Those who know me and spend time with me have seen that I gather influence from almost everything around me, whether it be nature, or the words that came out of a friends mouth or what not. [I'm] influenced by anyone and everything around me, and I think that having the ability to be influenced by so many sources will actually help make me successful one day and will push me to continue to make and produce art, day after day for many years to come.

Editor's Note: Ari Tretin is a Justice contributing illustrator.