[Re]Defining Borders No.3

Dmitry “Dima” Strakovsky
www.shiftingplanes.org


Abstract:
“[Re]Defining Borders No.3” is an attempt to re-map the way we use our senses to experience the world. As you move your hand over the surface of the work, you can sense simple geometric shapes created by air currents by using your sense of touch. This creates a scenario where we use touch to “see” the work. The fans in this piece are sequenced to create a different shape every thirty seconds.


Short project description:
“[Re]Defining Borders No.3” is an electromechanical sculpture which consists of a 6X6 matrix of blower fans. They are programmed to turn on and off to form patterns which viewer can experience by running his/her hand over the surface of the piece. The patterns are simple geometric shapes (squares, lines and triangle). They rotate in and out every 30 seconds. This work is an attempt to re-map the way we use our senses to experience an artwork. As the viewer moves his/her hand over the surface of the work, he/she can sense simple geometric shapes created by air currents through sense of touch. Here visual experience becomes a tactile experience.


Artist Bio:
Dmitry (Dima) Strakovsky was born in St.Petersburg, Russia. He completed his MFA degree at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago's Department of Art and Technology. He stayed in Chicago for several years producing art and working for various companies in the toy invention industry. In 2006 he began his full time academic career at the University of Kentucky (Lexington) as an Assistant Professor of New Media. Dima's work spans across many media: robotic/kinetic installation, sound art, video, performance and digital prints. He often works together with other cultural producers, creating cross-media collaborative projects. Dima participated in exhibitions at a variety of spaces on both national and international levels: J2 Gallery (Tokyo), Museum of Contemporary Art (Chicago), Siggraph 2001 (San Antonio) among others.