Arts Vanity: Here’s Looking at You, CrimArts

One of the things I find most exciting about being a student critic on The Harvard Crimson’s Arts Board — having written and edited for the board for over three years — is not necessarily the prestigious platform upon which I can share my ponderous, slightly rambling, artistic thoughts. Rather, as a semi-Luddite, I’ve stuck with it — and have really, really loved it — because, among other things, it keeps me up to date.

I don’t even have to write about new releases to know what’s going on. Simply sitting in on pitch meetings, listening to much more knowledgeable and up-to-date execs talk about new films, TV shows, books, metro happenings, campus happenings, plays, and albums is an educational adventure. There’s something called “FNAF 2,” which I learned is a film — and an acronym.

Bad Bunny’s new album? I’ve listened to it. “The White Lotus”? Yep, I watched it. “The Brutalist”? You know it. Staying up to date is easy for me, now. I can make conversation, I can add insight, I can name songs. I can even reference some of my articles to really prove how up to date I am. It’s a whole thing.

I did learn the most, of course, whenever I felt that I was so unaware and uninformed about a new release that I simply needed to embark on a mini research project and pick up a pitch to learn about it. Through writing, I now know a lot about Sabrina Carpenter and girl in red’s 2024 collaboration, “You Need Me Now.” I’m familiar with Gwyneth Paltrow’s ski trial (is that art?). I’m aware of “The Crown,” “The Menu,” and “House of the Dragon” — in fact, I really liked “The Crown.” I’ve read Alice Notley’s “Being Reflected Upon” and Robert Macfarlane’s “Is a River Alive?” In short, I know what’s going on.

It hasn’t always been like this for me. I was the guy in high school who listened to Nat King Cole and Glenn Miller. I watched “The Umbrellas of Cherbourg” and “Casablanca.” To me, “Elf” was the hot new Christmas movie. New TV shows? I was still at “I Love Lucy.”

As a result, quoted lyrics went over my head. Film references. Nope, no way. It was stressful. I wanted to talk about new art and be cool like that, but I was worried about whether or not Sally would get together with Harry.

Also, despite my efforts, it can be difficult to keep up the façade: My trendy awareness of new releases really stops at art. I’m still not really sure what words like “unc,” “chopped,” and “cooked” mean. I’ve never downloaded TikTok. My meme knowledge is nonexistent. However, late production nights in the newsroom have kept me (fairly) up to date.

So, as my tenure on the Arts Board began to come to a close, I became a little worried for my slightly uncertain, soon-to-be unaware (again) future self. What was I going to do without finding myself idly aware of all the latest happenings?

I’ll always read The Crimson, of course, but, after being part of the board for so many years, I know that it’s impossible for us to cover everything. What will I do when new films, TV shows, books, metro happenings, campus happenings, plays, and albums fall through the cracks?

I was genuinely worried for a bit. But then that “six seven” thing started. Suddenly, people were waving their hands around whenever they heard — or perhaps even thought of — that number. After some confusion — which never went away (I didn’t even try to figure it out this time) — I decided it was okay. No need to worry. I enjoyed my three years of being kept constantly up to date. In the future, I’ll do my best to keep up, I’ll always read our paper. But, beyond that, it’s okay. I’ll always love Lucy, too.

—Outgoing Arts Chair Thomas A. Ferro will probably be downloading TikTok in a desperate attempt to keep up to date. If you want to save him the trouble and send him updates via email, he can be reached at [email protected].