The dark, dirty and hidden world of the college party, bar and drinking scene will be revealed at a photography exhibit hosted by The Rathskeller on State Street Friday, May 2.
“For so many people our age, college is made up of two realities: The one made up of class, homework and extracurriculars that they go through during the daytime, and the one they keep hidden from their parents, professors and future employers — the one that comes alive at night,” explained Shahed Serajuddin, the photographer whose pictures are on display in this exhibit called the Party Room.
Serajuddin, a senior English and political science double major, has referred to his exhibit as risqu√É.√© and controversial because it “sheds light on this hidden scene, exposing it to those who may not be a part of it. It documents enclosed places like frat parties, bars and dorm parties artistically, in a way that’s never been done.”
“I chose to focus on this scene because it’s one I’m a part of,” Serajuddin said. “Rather than venture out and take photos of things I knew nothing about, I chose to document what was most immediately around me,” he continued.
Serajuddin has been a regular at the bars on State Street throughout his college career. He has also been attending frat parties and house parties bringing his camera with him “whenever possible,” he said. “My camera has had beer spilled on it and has been dropped more times than you can imagine,” he confesses.
Many of the photographs displayed at the exhibit have been taken from within his own living quarters too, like the frat house he lives in this year and the dorm he lived in sophomore year.
“Given the exhibit’s subject matter, I decided that it’d be a good idea to host it at the Rat,” Serajuddin explained. “I feel that this gives [the exhibit] a much more authentic feel, especially since some of the photos themselves were taken there,” he continued. By hosting the exhibit at the bar, Serajuddin is hoping to draw a crowd of the type of bar-goers that are the subjects of his exhibit as well as the typical First Friday art crowd.
This exhibit is not officially part of the First Friday Art Walk, which takes place at the same time in Downtown Binghamton art galleries.
In addition to Serajuddin’s photographs, the exhibit will feature a section showcasing pieces of clothing that Serajuddin has designed for his clothing company Cake Clothing (cakelovesyou.com).
“A lot of the clothing that we make incorporates elements of photography,” Serajuddin said.
He will be working with his clothing company full time after he graduates next month.
The exhibit is on Friday, May 2, from 7 to 9 p.m. at The Rathskeller.
“This exhibit is open to both students and the general public, so to some the pictures will be shocking, but to others they’ll be more familiar than any other form of art they’ve experienced,” explained Serajuddin.