Ethan Baldwin’s senior art show Ego Boost opened in Wilder Main Wednesday night with celebration in the form of a white party. Anyone who knows Baldwin knows that nothing could be more fitting. Hors d’oeuvres were served along with alcoholic beverages (only to those over 21) and other treats. Wilder Main was perfectly lit, decked out with couches, an exciting upbeat mix playing in the background, creating a very trendy gallery-like setting. All in all, the atmosphere was impeccably funky and classy.

The show itself is a collection of digitally altered portraits featuring a number of Oberlin students and alumni. “This project started,” Baldwin said, “as a way to get people to see a part of themselves that they don’t necessarily see every day.” The majority of these prints were assembled together into a book for which Baldwin independently uploaded photos, produced a layout and coordinated publication.

The process of finding subjects to photograph was an extensive one for Baldwin. He first had interested people send in a one -page written statement, which was followed by a questionnaire. There were 21 questions in all, asking things such as, “What is your ideal photo shoot?” and other related questions. Based on these documents and interviews, Baldwin fused his artistic vision with the persona the subject had already expressed as wanting to convey.

“After doing the project for some time,” Baldwin said, “I realized the photography was not the most important part.” He went on to explain that instead, the project is a demonstration of how people want to be viewed and the struggle of personal limitations.

Overall, the show was an amazing success. It was not only fabulously entertaining to see friends and fellow students photographed as professional models, but it was also incredibly touching to read the statements and discover that this project was a learning experience for both artist and subjects. The show is a true testament to how wonderful it must have been to have your “ego boosted” by Baldwin’s photographic talents, as well as perhaps by rediscovering something unique and beautiful about yourself. It was clear that this theme became the main intention of the project for Baldwin, a very dignified premise for a senior show.