The UA Museum of Art is hosting exhibits that showcase the thesis work of Master of Fine Arts graduate students. The works are the culmination of three years of effort, said Gary Nusinow, the museum’s marketing director.

“”The quality of work has varied over the years, but this year there is good quality in the craftsmanship and vision of the work,”” Nusinow said.

The students have to present and defend their thesis statements to a committee that judges them on a set of rigorous standards, he said.

Alan Skees created a movie that touches on the idea of diminishing privacy and surveillance in a futuristic, and perhaps not unrealistic, world. The movie is projected onto a wall and shows a closeup of an eye as it receives a retinal scan, and information is displayed indicating the person’s shopping habits, health and other private information.

The theme of the movie, titled “”Identity: Eye Scan,”” is underscored by a quote from Benjamin Franklin, which is written on the wall of the room: “”Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.”” The piece makes a chilling, “”1984″” statement that comments on a post-9/11 world of paranoia and fear.

Gerardo Castillo drew upon the work of children’s author Dr. Seuss for his sculpture, “”Border Sneetches.”” The bronze and steel sculpture has an excerpt of Seuss’s story “”The Sneetches”” written on a large fence, and on top stand three star-bellied sneetches

making hand gestures that seem to say “”Stay out!”” This piece is a commentary on border issues and is presented in a unique and effective way that Arizonans can relate to.

Another unique work is that of Angela Harden Wilson, who used black and white photos of herself and her husband in domestic scenes, mostly in the kitchen, that are bordered and accentuated by cake frosting in bright pastel colors. The frosting is coated in resin so that it will be preserved, which gives it a brilliant shine.

Nusinow hopes that this exhibition will be a positive learning experience.

“”All of the students are required to install their own work, which will give them an idea of what it will be like presenting their work in the future,”” he said.