His alien-like pinky finger stretches almost a foot in length as he reaches for a Sam’s Choice cola can. One quick glance leads you to believe he may be a mutant or a freak of nature.

A closer look reveals the spiky-haired blonde guy’s hand is actually the distorted reflection off of a silver water pitcher in the photograph, “Assimilation,” which won Best of Show in the “Studies in Creativity exhibit.”

Ben Blanc, creator of “Assimilation,” says he was taking an ordinary reflection to make an out-of-this-world picture.

“I was looking for something a little different, or a little more unique than your average picture of trees,” he says.

What’s even more unique is that this photograph is actually a self-portrait of sorts. The guy nestling up to the table is none other than Blanc himself.

Much like a wanderer of the desert in dire need of water, Blanc appears almost desperate for a taste of cheap soda pop. He is reaching across the table for the empty Sam’s Choice cola can with his right hand, and although barely recognizable, in his left hand he holds the clicker for his camera, which is standing behind him on a tripod.

Blanc says he was trying to “raise the level of photography past people’s perception” of what it can be. Great photos can be found in almost anything around us, not just in beautiful places or great locations.

Blanc has another photograph on display in the exhibit, which is entirely filled with student art, called “Water Pitcher,” which also uses reflections as the focal point of interest. He says he has always been interested in reflections, which can be an “exploration of life,” allowing you to see things in a whole new way.

Blanc’s photographs are just a few of the pieces of student art exhibited in the “Studies in Creativity” exhibit held in the Gallery of the Memorial Union.

Jen Kruse, fine arts director for the Student Union Board, says the students have done a great job on their artwork for the exhibit.

“There’s a lot of really good pieces in the show,” she says. “It’s a really strong show.”

Another piece of art hanging on the walls of the Gallery is Chris Vance’s “11.” The large, abstract piece made of acrylics, charcoal and pastel ink has kinky and curvy neon yellow zig-zags running in different directions. They are layered on top of each other in random order on the bright gold background, while hints of red, blue, black and green demand attention. The viewer’s eyes continue to scan the surface, wondering what the title stands for.

“Showtime,” by Mol Hom, captures the moment of anticipation before a performance. Four men are decked out in tuxedos, helping each other prepare before it’s time to hit the stage.

The man with neatly combed black hair holds his face in sheer concentration as he tugs at his the bow tie worn by his friend, who is smiling and smirking. A girl in a long, straight, satin gown appears to be making a comment as she approaches the two men, obviously amused by their antics. Her dark lipstick is set off by the short blonde tendrils resting on her forehead. The other two tuxedo-clad men are standing underneath trophies and a sign that noticeably says “Jesus Gave His All For Me.”

There are also works of art made of baked clay in the exhibit. The Ginko Bowls, done by Amy Doyle, have an earthy green exterior. Unlike your typical cereal bowl, the non-traditionally shaped bowls are white on the inside, except for a few brown and green intentional streaks.

Kruse says the exhibition can be interesting for everyone, “because it is student artwork, and there’s a large variety of works in here.”

Gallery frustrates artists

Although Blanc agrees that the exhibition is interesting and worth a look, he is unhappy with the Memorial Union Gallery.

The Gallery is also used as a meeting room and has a projection screen on the east wall, which is left down at most times, Blanc says. The majority of people using the Gallery as a meeting room have no regard for the artwork, and Blanc is disgusted at the lack of respect shown for the pieces.

“The people that are in there using [the room] don’t really have respect for what’s in there,” he says.

Blanc says it’s disappointing when he and other artists put so much time and effort into their artwork, only to have it covered up by a projection screen. He adds that the people leaving the screen down do not realize how damaging it is to the artist.

“By leaving the artwork covered up, basically what they’ve said is that what we’re doing is not worthwhile,” Blanc says.

Blanc is not alone in his ideas.

Dan Sullivan, temporary assistant professor of art and design, says he “strongly agrees” with Blanc.

“Whoever uses the Gallery for meetings are very, very rude to the students who display their work there,” Sullivan says.

Sullivan says he has also been in the Gallery on several different occasions, and found the artwork hidden by the projection screen “a good percentage of the time” and the tables and chairs in disarray.

Sullivan has been at Iowa State since the fall of 1994 and says the disrespect for the artwork is definitely a “glaring problem.”

Mishelle Michel, event coordinator for the Memorial Union, says the Gallery is actually a meeting room first and a gallery for artwork second. She says although there are meetings taking place throughout the day, the staff is quick about straightening the room and pulling the screen up.

“Depending on how busy it is, I would say [the screen is pulled up] between five minutes and 20 minutes after the meeting,” Michel says.

There are many times when the projection screen is not even used during the meetings, Michel adds.

Theresa Cannon, arts program adviser for the Memorial Union, says the screen is not left down intentionally, and thinks the room is put back in order fairly quickly.

“I would say as much as those rooms are used, it’s done in a pretty timely manner,” Cannon says.

Sullivan says if the Gallery must be shared with those attending meetings, then “they could have the courtesy to clean up after themselves.”