Collider series exploring data Sept. 9–Oct. 11 at Myers School of Art
"Collider6: Data," an array of events presented by The University of Akron's Myers School of Art, showcases how data influences artists and the rest of us.
The free events include an exhibition; a lecture by software artist Jer Thorp, recently the data artist-in-residence at The New York Times; receptions; and a dance performance of S.A.R.A., a fully interactive mobile app that creates its own sounds and visuals based on video input and body movements.
Co-curated by Anthony Samangy and Markus Vogl, UA assistant professors of graphic design, the "Collider6: Data" exhibition runs Sept. 9 through Oct. 11 in the Emily Davis Gallery in Folk Hall, home of the UA Myers School of Art, 150 E. Exchange St., Akron. The gallery is open Mondays through Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The "Collider6: Data" exhibition features works by such contemporary artists as Peter Crnokrak, Ben Fry, Jonathan Harris, Genevieve Hoffman, Jesse Thomas, Jer Thorp and Carlo Zapponi.
On Sept. 12, Jer Thorp, UA's 2013-14 Mary Schiller Myers Artist-in-Residence, will speak about "Making Data More Human" at 7 p.m. in the Folk Hall Auditorium, adjacent to the Emily Davis Gallery.
Reception to feature dance performance
Beginning immediately after the lecture, the exhibition's opening reception runs until 10 p.m. At 8:15 p.m. is a dance performance by the Cleveland-based Travesty Dance Group using S.A.R.A. – or "synesthetic augmented reality application." S.A.R.A. is a fully interactive mobile app that creates its own sounds and visuals based on video input. Vogl and Margarita Benitez, assistant professor of fashion design at Kent State University, created the app. More information about S.A.R.A. is available online.
The exhibition's closing reception is Oct. 11 from 4 to 6 p.m.
Thorp will be the Myers Artist-in-residence March 4-11 at the UA Myers School of Art, where he will work with Myers students on data visualization projects that seek to help put abstract data into a human context.
"From graphing an entire year's news cycle to mapping the way people share articles across the Internet, Thorp's beautiful and moving visualizations use technology and data to ultimately tell the story of our lives," explains Collider6 co-curator Anthony Samangy.
'Human side of data'
"Thorp teaches audiences how adding meaning and narrative to huge amounts of data can help us take control of the information that surrounds us," says Samangy. "He asks such provocative questions as: How can understanding the human side of data lead to innovation and effective change? What value is there in the novel and interactive approaches to data visualization? And, what are the business applications of creative data-focused research?"
Originally from Vancouver, Canada, and now residing in New York City, Thorp is an adjunct professor in the Interactive Telecommunications Program at New York University and a member of the World Economic Forum's Global Agenda Council on Design Innovation. He is a co-founder of The Office For Creative Research, a multidisciplinary research group exploring new modes of engagement with data. Thorp was the data artist in residence at The New York Times from 2010-2012.
"Data" is the sixth in the UA Myers School of Art's Collider Series. The series examines the impact, implications and inspiration of new media within design and fine arts.
Call 330-972-6030 or visit the Myers School of Art online for more information.
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"Collider6: Data" events calendar
Monday, Sept. 9 – Friday, Oct. 11
"Collider6: Data" exhibition in Emily Davis Gallery in Folk Hall, 150 E. Exchange St., Akron.
Featuring works by such contemporary artists as Peter Crnokrak, Ben Fry, Jonathan Harris, Genevieve Hoffman, Jesse Thomas, Jer Thorp and Carlo Zapponi. Mondays through Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free.
Thursday, Sept. 12, 7 p.m.
"Making Data More Human” lecture by Jer Thorp in Folk Hall Auditorium, 150 E. Exchange St., Akron.
In this talk, data artist Jer Thorp will discuss his beautiful and moving data visualization projects that seek to help put abstract data into a human context. Free.
Thursday, Sept. 12, 8 to 10 p.m.
Opening reception of "Collider6: Data" exhibition in Emily Davis Gallery in Folk Hall, 150 E. Exchange St., Akron.
Thorp teaches audiences how adding meaning and narrative to huge amounts of data can help people take control of the information that surrounds them, and revolutionize the way we use data. Free.
Thursday, Sept. 12, 8:15 p.m
S.A.R.A. demonstration in the Emily Davis Gallery 150 E. Exchange St., Akron.
Dance performance by the Cleveland-based Travesty Dance Group using S.A.R.A. – or "synesthetic augmented reality application." S.A.R.A. is a fully interactive mobile app that creates its own sounds and visuals based on video input. UA’s Markus Vogl and Margarita Benitez, assistant professor of fashion design at
Kent State University, created the app. More information about S.A.R.A. is available online. Free.
Friday, Oct. 11, from 4 to 6 p.m.
Closing reception of "Collider6: Data" exhibition in Emily Davis Gallery in Folk Hall, 150 E. Exchange St., Akron.
Free.
Media contact: Cyndee Snider, 330-972-5196 or cyndee@uakron.edu.