March 29, 2006

LOOKING TODAY AT THE FUTURE OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL ART

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — Cutting-edge, three-dimensional works created by some 20 international artists using new computer technology are now on exhibit in the Robert V. Fullerton Art Museum at California State University, San Bernardino.

Known for their works in other mediums, the artists featured in “International Rapid Prototyping Sculpture” “chose to explore a new technology, a new process, and to relinquish seductive, hands-on contact in creating their three dimensional forms” for this exhibit, said show curator Mary Hale Visser.

For almost 40 years computer-aided technology has been used in art making, Visser said. But it’s only been in the past decade that artists saw the computer as a way to collect and alter three dimensional forms. The change has had as radical an impact on the new century as photography and filmmaking had on the previous one, and the new medium, or in many cases a new tool, has radically changed the concept of sculpture.

The proof is in the art. For example, artist Keith Brown uses lenticular imaging to project sculptural forms into space with no physical body, Bruce Beasley employs the precision of computer data to cut and weld his bronze plate sculptural forms, and “hybrid monsters” have been created by Elona Van Gent, who uses a database that is similar in structure to the “Kunstkamera” or Peter the Great’s cabinet of wonder. Visser uses the computer to record visual data of the human body, allowing her to morph the subtle gestures expressed in the dialog between men and women.

The featured artists for the exhibit are Bruce Beasley, Keith Brown, Brit Bunkley, Dan Collins, Ian Gwilt, Mary Hale Visser, Paul Higham, Christian Lavigne, David Morris, Mary Bates Neubauer, Michael Rees, James Stewart, O. Makai Smith, Robert Michael Smith, Kenneth Snelson, Elona Van Gent, Peter Voci, Kimberly Voigt and Derrick Woodham.

“International Rapid Prototyping Sculpture” is sponsored by 3D Systems Inc. and The Sarofim School of Fine Arts in Georgetown, Texas.

The free exhibition runs through May 13. A reception will be held on Thursday, April 6, from 5-7 p.m., after a lecture by Visser at 4 p.m. Parking is $3 and available in lots M, A or L. Special permits for lot M can be obtained at the Robert V. Fullerton Art Museum’s front desk.

Hours for the museum are Tuesday , Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m.–5 p.m., and Thursday from 10 a.m.–7 p.m. For more information, call the museum at (909) 537 -7373, or visit its Web site at http://museum.csusb.edu.

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