Wrapping up a “Wicked” Eight-Day Tour

Taste of Greece

By Jessica Cuevas

This was a special day of sorts. We were headed to see the play, “Wicked,” which was named after our President-Elect, Morgan Robertson. Moreover, it was her birthday–21st, no less. So, we let her choose the place to eat!

She chose “A Taste of Greece,” because Mediterranean is her favorite type of food, and because it is within walking distance of the Fox Theatre, where her biopic was being performed.

The restaurant offered many umami plates, but the ones that caught our eyes and proved to be delicious mouthfuls were the Greek Melt, the From Greece with Love Platter consisting of gyro meat, pork and chicken skewers, and Greek Meatballs served with green beans, pita bread, and tzatziki sauce.

We wished we could’ve stayed to enjoy our meals a little longer, but with every passing minute, a wicked play awaited us.

Wicked

By Morgan Robertson

“It’s time to Trust (our) instincts, close (our) eyes and LEAP!”

–From “Defying Gravity,” in “Wicked.”

Our trip has been full of many athletic, educational, historical, political, and after tonight, entertaining events! The last night of our trip, we checked the entertainment box, and made our way to the historic Fox Theatre to watch their rendition of “Wicked,” the musical.

We were amazed by the grandeur of the Theatre…

…and hastily made our way to our seats.

Despite what the professional advisement of LEAP thinks, not all LEAP Ambassadors are wicked. However, we all have varying degrees of interest in the “Wizard of Oz.” But, of the LEAP Ambassadors, I am perhaps the most unfamiliar with musicals. Due to my familial ties to Kansas, I was raised near the setting of the movie. So, I made an exception and was excited to learn more about the Wicked Witch of the West. I even wore green for the evening!

“Wicked” begins with a frame narrative starting with Glinda, the Good Witch of the North as she brings the good news to the Munchkins that the Wicked Witch is dead. The lively songs harken memories of the original story, and a shrill voice says, “I’m melting, I’m melting!” The delighted munchkins rejoice in the good deeds done by their valiant protector, a midwestern farm girl and her little dog.

Everyone knows the Wicked Witch as Dorothy’s antagonist, but on Thursday night, Elphaba (the Wicked Witch) was good. Elphaba became a fiercely loyal sister, an unlikely best friend, defender of the meek and unspoken for, and a true heroine with a happy ending. From start to finish, “Wicked” had the entirety of the Theatre bellowing in laughter as all these aspects of Elphaba were explored.

I would be remiss if I did not bring attention to the musical talent and songs. As a group, “Defying Gravity” was our favorite, where Elphaba learns of her true capabilities and sets off to save the animals of Oz. Another favorite was “For Good” as it very sweetly and impactfully shows the true nature of Elphaba’s friendship with Glinda.  

Without divulging into every element of irony or song, “Wicked” became a newfound favorite musical of mine. It was an incredible way to close our night, ending our trip on a very pleasing ‘note’!

And with that, LEAP’s 8-day exploration of the Deep South came to an end! We are incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to visit Georgia and South Carolina and learn about their individually rich and fascinating history.

High on Art in Atlanta, GA!

By Olivia Discon

Our fun-filled day continued with our theme of public engagement, both historic and contemporary, with our visit to the High Art Museum. We were immediately off to a great start, as on our walk to the building, we walked by a wonderful piece from Lichtenstein’s “House” series.

The aluminum sculpture is an optical illusion, or trompe-l’œil, that shifts perspective at various angles, a bizarre sight to pass at a steady walking pace. Also outside sat Rodin’s “The Shade”, which in hindsight was most definitely one of my favorite sights at the museum.

The museum offered numerous works that provided a distinctive and captivating experience for the entire group. One collection, in particular, delved into the African diaspora and its connection with the rising popularity of folk art during the same historical period. Bruce Onobrakpeya, a Nigerian painter and printmaker, had several pieces with Christian influences. His “Station of the Cross” series was fascinating to view, with the differences in technique from its Western counterparts.

Though we undoubtedly saw many unfamiliar and enthralling pieces, there were some notable names we identified from their undeniable technique and style; such as Claude Monet, Georgia O’Keefe, Mary Cassatt, and John Singer Sargent. We were delighted to further build on our prior associations with these artists through the exhibits as we pressed forward.

One of the best collections was the museum’s mid-century modern display. There were famous artists who made great contributions to the era, such as Ellsworth Kelly, spread across the museum.

However, the most impressive collection of a mid-century modern artist was Frank Lloyd Wright, an American architect widely known for his innovative designs and meticulous detail, one of his most famous works being a home known as “Fallingwater”. The High Museum had several pieces of furniture, such as different armchairs and my personal favorite; a desk with shelving units that appeared to be floating at certain angles.

There were also decorative accents from Wright that were specific to the homes he would design, such as a giant, blue-mirrored clock, and custom stained glass.

It was also interesting to see Morgan rush to works of art that she previously claimed to not understand or actively dislike. Previously on Morgan’s list of banned artwork were almost anything modern, certainly anything abstract, and of particular dislike was Rothko.

But on this day she bounced up to the Rothko with a smile, as though she were greeting an old friend.

She showed a similar ebullience upon seeing an Ellsworth Kelly, whom, before today, she said, she “didn’t get.”

When we asked for clarification, we got a look that said, “Drop it.” So, we did.

______________________________________________

In the contemporary section, we came across an untitled piece from Anish Kapoor, the artist recognized for Chicago’s reflective sculpture “Cloudgate” (otherwise known as “The Bean”). This particular work, shaped as a concave dish, is a multisensory experience. As you step closer, you can simultaneously view fractured, mirrored images of yourself, while also having your voice and hearing distorted from a few feet behind you. We played around with this scientific masterpiece for a good while, alternating places and marveling at our distorted voices, which were somehow louder than usual.

The High Museum of Art possesses an eclectic collection, and we thoroughly enjoyed exploring it in their beautiful and spacious facility. The thoughtful curation of each space enhanced our viewing experience, making it a truly enriching visit.

Investigating Crime in Real Time

Cobb County Real Time Crime Center

By Michelle Cardenas

Real-time crime centers are revolutionizing the way police departments address criminal activity in their community. With innovative technologies and procedures, these centers are becoming widespread across the country. One of the first areas in the United States to have adopted a Real-Time Crime Center (RTCC) in their community is Cobb County in Marietta, Georgia. We were very privileged to have Captain Hull organize this tour of their facility and further enlighten the group on the future of policing.

Upon our arrival, we were welcomed by Lieutenant Thorp and Major Bell, who help lead Cobb County’s RTCC in Cobb County’s Police Department. Before entering the room itself, the two took the time to explain to us the importance of centers such as these in regard to protecting their community with speed and efficiency. One way the real-time crime center has revolutionized modern policing, unique to other counties, is through their surveillance technology, which was at work just around the corner.

The dimly-lit crime center was illuminated by 10 screens; displaying a map of the city with pin points of police officer locations, LPRs (License Plate Readers), live video camera footage, and crime alerts. Led by Captain Darin Hull, we viewed a PowerPoint presentation that helped us better understand the functions of their facility. To provide the typical structure of their operations, the presentation provided two examples of their crime center in action, which both lead in the apprehension of the suspects. 

The two examples, one involving a home invasion and the other theft, showcased the enhanced police response to crimes, made possible by the RTCC. With live recording and reporting, the police have stronger capabilities to swiftly arrest and convict criminals.

The officers emphasized the various concerns during the early stages of modern policing, including the general public’s fear of privacy invasion. Understanding the citizens’ apprehension, the analysts at the Real Time Crime Center have taken proactive measures to acknowledge the importance of establishing trust within their community; offering informative sessions for those seeking to learn more about the center’s operations and benefits, as well as providing discounts for businesses on purchases of a Fusus Core to integrate their cameras with the RTCC database to provide live transmissions for the officers.

One of the most interesting things about the Real Time Crime Center was their staff. It takes true dedication to use all the technology provided to capture suspects and get them away from the public. Deputy Chief Stuart Vanhoozer mentioned in one of the videos that technology means nothing if the staff does not demonstrate resilience and determination to stop crime. It was pretty evident that the staff there was more than capable, and they demonstrated extreme kindness towards us and welcomed all of our questions with pleasure. 

As a Criminal Justice major, it is very important to see another of various career paths one may take in the field. I personally enjoyed experiencing a different aspect of law enforcement outside of the classroom, that itself is emerging in real time.

Thank you again to Captain Darin Hull, Lieutenant David Thorp, Major Stan Bell, and the staff of Cobb County’s Real Time Crime Center for taking the time to educate us on the amazing work your division is doing for modern policing practices.

Atlanta Trolls LEAP

Michelle Cardenas

After our arrival in the delightful City of Atlanta, we decided to explore a piece of their (quasi) natural scenery. The Atlanta Botanical Garden is one of the most famous botanical gardens, featuring many prestigious pieces of art, diverse greenery, fountains and grand sculptures. 

As soon as we entered the Visitors Center, we were met with a spectacular Dale Chihuly piece called the ‘Nepenthes Chandelier’. This piece was inspired by the Nepenthes Pitcher plants, one of the many plants featured in the garden. 

Already a tourist attraction, the Gardens have recently become even more popular with the addition of Thomas Dambo’s “Save the Humans” collection. The collection includes six different trolls, each with their own written fairytale and style.

The enormous trolls are composed of wood and have their own personal accessories such as rocks, bird houses, and my favorite, a car! Each LEAP Ambassador chose their favorite one and made sure to take a picture in front of it! My personal favorite was Rosa Sunfinger, a troll with its own tiny garden grown out of a car! The true meaning behind this piece is to showcase how plants can beautify, transform and bring back to life our everyday items. 

 

The beautiful sights did not stop there, as we made our way through the garden…

… we were met with the Earth Goddess.

This particular piece is about 20 feet tall, and contains thousands of plants that decorate the embodiment of the goddess.

The sculpture is eye-catching, it just draws you in with its vibrant colors and different plant species. The sculpture is paired with a fountain that flows in front and through the hands of the earth goddess, making for a tranquil and serene landscape. 

As we made our way to the Levy Parterre section of the garden, we saw many man-made rivers and cascades. The cascades added a relaxing and gentle sound alongside the chirping of birds and frogs. The real show stoppers were the multiple Dale Chihuly pieces we saw on our way to Levy Parterre.

There was a tall yellow piece named the “Radiant Yellow Tower” that stood at about 30 feet tall.

The gleaming tower stood over a calm pool and cast an amazing reflection that showcased its vibrant color.  The other Dale Chihuly piece we saw was “The Parterre Fountain Installation” and it was colored with a gorgeous blue tint, and its shape mimicked the flow of the fountain’s water. 

The Botanical Garden was definitely a hidden gem in the City of Atlanta.

Despite the city’s reputation, the 30 acres of outdoor garden proved to be a must see location. We used this opportunity to learn more about the different aspects of nature and how beautiful it can be. With this, we ended the night in awe of all the stunning sights the garden had to offer.