Metadataphile

New Begovich Exhibit Features Work that Transforms Data to Art

August 17, 2010

The Begavich Gallery greets the fall semester with “Metadataphile: The Collapse of Visual Information,” an exhibit of the works of 16 artists who have transformed and “recontextualized” data into art that makes socio-political statements.

The Aug. 28 to Sept. 30 show features artists who appropriate, hack, pirate and reorder metadata from objects, events and cultural phenomena into film, installation, painting, photography, sculpture and sound.

Featured artists are: Cory Arcangel and Frankie Martin, Josh Azzarella, Petronio Bendito, Matthew Bryant, Sky Burchard, Kathy Grayson, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, Ken Rinaldo, Kim Rugg, Jason Salavon, Peter Sarkisian, John Sisley, Stephanie Syjuco, Michael Toillion and Jason Varone.

“‘Metadataphile’ is a response to the rapid process in which information is filtered through our technology-driven society. The exhibition steers the viewer to re-examine the output of data provided instantly to them, whether it’s human, media or technology based. In contrast, the dynamic artworks featured in the show decelerate the instantaneous outcome of data by counteracting the negative notion of ‘manipulating’ data,” say the exhibition curators Jennifer Frias and Lilia Lamas, graduate students completing their master of fine arts degree in exhibition design.

The opening reception is scheduled from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 28. The free exhibition is open from noon to 4 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and noon to 2 p.m. Saturdays except for Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 6.

The Begovich Gallery, named for Lee and Nicholas Begovich, is the former Main Art Gallery located in the Visual Arts Center.