See what results when creative scholars at UT go digital (and a little analog) at the University of Tampa's biennial invitational exhibition of computer animations, interactive digital work, and virtual spaces from around the world. The exhibition opens today.
A series of events will take place in tandem with Electronics Alive. This Thursday, Jan. 29, at 6 p.m. UT's Scarfone/Hartley Gallery offer a gallery talk with art critic Danny Olda, who will speak on "Toward a New Fountain: How Digital Art Could Rebuild the Art World by Destroying it." Olda will explore how digital art is revolutionizing the idea of what art is today and can be in much the same way Marcel Duchamp and his readymade Fountain had done nearly 100 years ago. A major shift in the way art is conceived and consumed has begun, Olda says. The Articulate Suncoast Editor will muse on contemporary examples of such artists and their work as well as the possibilities in future developments.
Also on Thursday, you can see an award-winning film, Lune et le Loup (pictured). Learn about the directors and other noteworthy computer artists, who will offer lectures and presentations in the coming days as part of the event.
On Tuesday Feb 3, at 2 p.m., Best of the Bay-winning local animator made good David Andrade, who worked on the film Life of Pi, will speak on "What it's Like Running an Animation Studio." On Thursday, Feb 5, at 1 p.m., Evan Meaney will give a talk on "Glitches."
Venture Compound's Jesse Vance will have an installation in the show, titled To Bite One's Own Teeth. "My installation is the only analog and only interactive piece," Vance said.
Santiago Echeverry, a professor at UT, has also included Vance's work in the curriculum for one of his New Media classes. One of the four class projects during the semester is titled "The Venture Compound" and deals with making new media art installation out of, found, discarded and cheap parts. Vance gave a guest lecture for the class last year.
About Vance's new installation (pictured right): "It is a piece about privacy and about self-image. Due to its analog and irregular nature, it is, in a way, alive. Over the course of the exhibition during these next few months, it will interact with and see many people. It will grow, it will change, and in all probability, it will die."
Mark your calendar for Thursday, Feb. 12, when Prof. Echeverry curates another UT Electronics Alive animation festival at Hillsborough Community College Performing Arts Building, in the Mainstage Theatre at Palm Avenue and 15th Street.
Noteworthy computer artists will offer lectures and presentations throughout February as part of the event. Check ealive.utarts.com for a detailed schedule. The Scarfone/Hartley Gallery is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, and 1-4 p.m. on Saturday.
