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07/13/2008: ""A PASSION FOR PIXELS" --Engaging New Show on Long Island"
I was invited to curate a digital art show at the Islip Art Museum in Sayville, New York (Long Island). I named the show "A Passion for Pixels." Fifty-two artists are on display June 18 to September 7th.
The main thing that has struck me about digital over the last 10 years is that most people understand nothing about it. Sadly, the local media do a dreadful job of explaining. So, one of my concerns about this show is that it be educational.
Instead of Realism, Abstract and such, I tried to group the works according to how much digital they contained and the methods used. For example, the biggest room is titled "The Altered Image" and contains, as a note explains, only works that started with a digital photograph which was then altered in a program such as Photoshop. I'm betting that even a simple device like this pulls visitors into the digital process. I like to imagine they go home talking like connoisseurs.
The main thing to report about the show is that digital has moved quickly from being an exotic new medium to being another option that adventurous artists toss into the mix. A big percentage of the work was digital IN SOME SENSE. I and the two people helping me would often stare at a piece asking, "Wait, is that part digital??" Boundaries have become a blur.
Also interesting, a number of pieces referenced pixels but were done in traditional media. Didn't expect that!!
Mary Lou Cohalan, the Director of the Islip Art Museum, commented: "This show is a crash course in digital art. Bruce Price, our insightful curator, is also a noted educator. He has put together a wonderful exhibition that is strong on aesthetics and long on digital education. There have already been tours and people respond well."
Replies: 7 Comments
on Sunday, August 17th, Art Fashion Jewelry said
I have seen some terrific digital artists and works but as a collector of art (paintings, sculpture and glass) I always feel reluctant about purchasing because of the infinite copies issue. Yes, some artists address the issue by producing numbered limited editions, but I still feel reluctant. I would imagine that photography went through the same issue in the beginning and who wouldn't want an original Ansel Adams now.
Would love to hear your thoughts on the issue.
Mendy
on Tuesday, July 15th, Bruce Price said
Regarding photos of show: IslipArtMuseum.org does not at this point have photos. (Show runs into Sept. Reception is on July 27, Sunday, 1-4 pm.)
This column is taken from my blog DigitalRising.blogspot.com. Visit blog to see three very interesting pieces; but they aren't typical.
on Monday, July 14th, walt said
Bruce, after re-reading my response I want to apologize for being a little snippy...It is great that such shows are addressing this issue.
on Monday, July 14th, Ellen said
Bruce- I think that it's great that you curated such a show! As digital art becomes more and more prevalent and accepted, the public needs to be aware of the medium. Pixels are mighty little tools! I'll pass along what Lynda.com's Seasons Greeting card said a couple of years ago: "May all your pixels be bright!"
on Monday, July 14th, Mark said
I think the real issue here isn't digital art, but rather the lack of education about art and that all art shows are about trying to educate the public, even when that is not the intention. Would it not be great if the public could come to a show with some, even little, understanding of what may be going on so that they could truly apreciate what they see rather then spend time just scratching thier heads? If this could be not only would the artist benefit, so would the viewer and society as a whole. A utopian dream I guess.
on Sunday, July 13th, Brad Michael Moore said
Yes, it feels analogue without some pixelage. Is there a link to the show?
on Sunday, July 13th, walt said
referencing pixels has been going on for a rather long time. Lichtenstein referenced the rosette pattern from four color process printing in the 60's. The rosette pattern is the precursor to the pixel pattern...both are basically screens that can be manipulated. Fundamentally pixels are not that different just manipulated more easily. Four color process was terribly limited...mostly to photography based images. Is there a catalog for this show? Hope it gets into some of this stuff.
For 10 years I used a dot matrix in my oil paintings suggesting a pixel like screen from which my images immerged and submerged. I had been working for DC Heath Electronic Publishing in the mid 80's and Apple in the mid to late 80's and saw computer aided art coming down the pike...whether I liked it or not. Frankly I'm surprized curators are just now catching up. We did a show of Chuck Surrey's seminal work here in Columbus several years ago (10-12 years ago maybe?) Some of my dot matrix's were up at the same time in another show in the same gallery here at the college. It was an interesting comparison at the time since Surrey's early computer work was primarily analog.
By the way, it'd be great if you included some photos from the show. That way we can see what you're talking about. It's always good to have something visual when discussing visual art you know.
