New work draws focus at SoFA

As the cold weather rolls in, students and faculty in the Henry Radford Hope School of Fine Arts are finding ways to warm up and appreciate the artwork created during this fall semester.

Although students can still expect to see the standard paintings and sculptures crowding the classrooms, studios and gallery spaces, there is also an abundance of new, unusual pieces to be found.

Take the work of digital art graduate student Youngsuk Altieri, who uses 3-D color printing to create interactive sculptures that represent animals and plants.

“When you get close to my sculptures and speak, they change shape,” Altieri said. “They make art more personalized and represent the creatures, but also express emotions.”

The 3-D color printer is used to help artists create prototypes for their pieces.

Three-dimension printing, Altieri said, is not found at many schools and is an advantage she is happy to make the most of as a graduate student.

“It’s a difficult process; it takes a lot of parts, but I am very interested in it,” Altieri said.

One of Altieri’s professors, Nicole Jacqaurd, assistant professor in metalsmithing and jewelry design, said Altieri’s desire to try something new is one of many examples of overlap between different studio areas within the school.

“There is very little difference between departments,” Jacquard said. “We’re all making art. There is huge crossover, and every department is willing to have dialogue. It’s really exciting, and it has been exciting to see her work.”

Altieri uses what Jacquard called “innovative technology” as inspiration for her art.
“She has created dynamic pieces of work,” Jacquard said.

Another student doing innovative work is senior Joshua Craig, who is creating enameled bowls through the Metalsmithing & Jewlery Design studio area.

“Most artists enamel on smaller, flat surfaces,” Craig said. “My work investigates the functionality of pieces.”

Craig is one of the only students investigating this form at IU, but he said others have done similar work in different places.

“I wanted to create work that was conceptually compelling,” Craig said.

Much of the work created in the school is often part of regular coursework, but every student is given information and opportunities to showcase what they’ve done, Jacquard said.

“We tell students regularly about calls for entries, conferences and shows,” Jaquard said. “Locally, there are several venues as well.”

Some of those local venues include the upcoming “BFA Thesis Exhibition,” “The School of Fine Arts Abroad: Overseas Study Exhibition” and “Silent Night: A Holiday Art Sale + Auction.” All upcoming events are sponsored by the School of Fine Arts.

There are also numerous calls for entries outside of Bloomington.

Aliteri’s work is currently on display at an art conference, titled “IDEAS09: Art at the Digital Edge,” at the Ball State University Museum of Art in Muncie through Friday.

“It’s an engaged process,” Aliteri said, “so the interaction aspect of a showing is so important in my work.”