New Experiments in Art and Technology at the CJM

NEAT: New Experiments in Art and Technology, currently at the Contemporary Jewish Museum, includes digital and robotic sculptures; works in light, sound and video; but above all, works that present an openness to new ideas—works more inclined to ask a question than provide an answer. The artists represented are Jim Campbell, Paul De Marinis, Gabriel Dunne, Mary Franck, Alan Rath, Paolo Salvagione, Micah Elizabeth Scott, Scott Snibbe, and Camille Utterback. The works shown are all newly commissioned.

Paolo Salvagione’s “Rope Fountain” takes electronics and 3D printing to make ropes dance in space—forming patterns like line drawings or ballet movements. Scott Snibbe gives us interactive ipad pieces with visual interpretations of Philip Glass’s music. Gabriel Dunne’s multi projection organic sculpture uses an algorithm-produced pattern that makes a still form appear to be moving. Jim Campbell’s “Broken Movie” explores how our brain synthesizes imagery and creates a narrative from the projection of separate individual pixels of moving images.

I enjoyed Alan Rath’s feathered robotic figures—one waves a long pink boa-like feather in ceremonial dance, another looks like a prehistoric bird. These pieces parody the utopian claims to technological innovations, although Rath has fabricated every part of his machines with great technical precision. Paul De Marinis also pokes fun at technology with his sound installation involving a grid of tiny aluminum pie pans that, when struck by metal shards, make a tremendous noise.

Camille Utterback’s “Entangled” was the most engaging for me. The artist’s background in fine art painting is unmistakable. It was interesting to talk with Camille and learn about her transition from traditional art materials to using programmed software to create her art, and about her goal of using technology to augment human interaction. “Entangled” uses multi-layered scrims as projection material: tracked movement from viewers on both sides of the screens transforms what is visible, creating an ever-changing “painting”.

You can see this unusual and cutting-edge exhibit at the CJM through January 17.

www.thecjm.org

Images (top to bottom, left to right):

Gabriel L. Dunne and Vishal K. Dar, NAAG XY, 2015, Multi-channel projections, EPS foam, plaster, 164 x 102 x 60 in. Courtesy of the Artists. 

Jim Campbell, Broken Movie, 2015. Video installation: custom electronics, LEDs, variable dimensions, 8 x 10 ft. Courtesy of the Artist and Hosfelt Gallery, San Francisco.

Alan Rath, Forever, 2012. Aluminum, polyethylene, fiberglass, software, motor, feathers, 90 x 108 x 48 in. Courtesy of the Artist and HosfeltGallery, San Francisco.

Scott Snibbe, REWORK_(Philip Glass Remix), 2015. App for Iphone/Ipad, Courtesy of the Artist.