Freshers’ week can be a draining experience for the uninitiated. After hours of high-octane partying, mentally juggling thousands of new names and faces and embracing the wonderfully mad circus that is Trinity, first years will be in need of something more tranquil and introspective to recover from their fresher fatigue. But never fear, for we have the antidote that will allow students to fully embrace the college experience: take a gentle stroll across campus to the polished halls of the Atrium, where you can immerse yourself in the wonderful world of Dublin University Photography Association’s (DUPA) freshers’ week exhibition.
You don’t have to be an aficionado of art to appreciate the work of DUPA. Chair of DUPA, Ivan Rakhmanin, is keen to stress that photography is accessible to all. The theme of this year’s exhibition, as always, is welcoming everyone into the colourful world of photography. Whether you are a budding photographer, freelancing professional or just looking to get inspiration for your next Instagram post, float along to this free event from 4.15pm on Wednesday, September 4th. You won’t be disappointed – complete with free food, and banging tunes from Dublin University DJs (DUDJ) late into the evening, you will be guaranteed a fun-filled freshers’ week afternoon.
Photography is all about exposition, after all, and DUPA’s exhibition is certainly a tour de force of artistic flair. Featuring over 70 prints from both staff and students in Trinity, the exhibition consists mainly of pieces from last year’s end-of-year exposé in the Copperhouse Gallery.
A quick perusal of the exhibition unearths a kaleidoscope of colours. Set again a minimalist white background, the buzzword here truly is “eclectic”. Flaunting everything from intricate portraits to sprawling urban landscapes and quiet studies in nature, each mise-en-scene perfectly encapsulates a full spectrum of emotion, jumping from sheer joy to poignancy to inspired serenity in a literal flash. So don your most stylish attire and immerse yourself in deep conversation about art with other cognoscenti in a relaxed, illuminated environment. DUPA members will also be on site to chat with students about their upcoming projects and provide information on how to get involved with the society.
DUPA was originally founded in 1948, and is one of Trinity’s largest and most prolific societies. Operating throughout the year, it hosts numerous expositions, photography classes and social events. It also offers an annual photography trip abroad. The society was also nominated for seven awards at the Society of the Year awards in March 2019. For any potential Steve McCurrys or Annie Leibovitzs, joining DUPA is a must.
