Shawn Merz’s studio functions as a creative space for his textile company, Mr. Merz, which sells blankets, towels and other textiles handmade by weavers in Myanmar and Turkey.
Category Archives: Arts
Daily Bruin predicts who will win gold at the Grammys
2017 was a year of change in the music world. Though names like Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift held onto their prominence, the world of popular music saw comebacks from Lorde and Kesha, foreign additions with “Despacito” and an embrace of rap with the increased prominence of artists like Kendrick Lamar and Cardi B. And […]
Playing the Villain: Villains that do not embody relatable themes fail to be compelling
A movie is only as good as its villain, and a good villain is much more than a monster with maniacal laughter or a sinister-looking entity surrounded by henchmen. From the anarchist Joker to the cunning and brutal Annie Wilkes, countless successful films have earned their iconic status thanks to their antagonists. Each week, columnist […]
Three Bruins discuss their Sundance-featured films
This post was updated Jan. 25 at 1:35 p.m. This year’s Sundance Film Festival features the work of several UCLA alumni and faculty. From documentaries to drama films, the Daily Bruin takes a closer look at the involvement of three Bruins in the festival. Akin McKenzie Akin McKenzie spent his time in Oklahoma mourning roadkill, […]
Music professor’s 9/11-inspired composition bags Grammy nomination
Richard Danielpour began his music residency at an isolated retreat for composers the day before 9/11. On the second day of his residency, the UCLA composition professor called his music editor’s office in downtown New York to find out how long he had to finish editing his latest piece, “An American Requiem.” He was met […]
Lessons in Laughter: The Improv Space subverts sexism in comedy with ‘Improvjectification’
Audience members cheer and shout for male performers to take off their shirts at “Improvjectification” shows. But they aren’t attending a bachelorette party. Eric Chad Ho created and co-hosts the comedy show “Improvjectification” at The Improv Space, which brings together male and female improvisers on the second Thursday of every month. Ho said the performances […]
Jazz director discusses work on Grammy-nominated album ‘Let Love Rule’
Daniel Seeff is going for a Grammy for the second year in a row. Seeff, the program director of the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Performance at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, contributed to albums that have been nominated for Grammys alongside Beyoncé, Rihanna and Bruno Mars for two years in a row. […]