by Johnny Hagerman
Staff Writer
Tired of the same old art exhibits that evoke emotion through paint, clay and uniquely shaped objects? Is the Mona Lisa provoking a yawn instead of thought? Well, for the art appreciating creative types, ULV is showcasing an art exhibit like nothing seen before on campus.
Actually, there is nothing to see at all. Yes, that is right, viewers do not actually see anything in this exhibit with their eyes. Michael Brewster, of Claremont Graduate University (CGU) is exhibiting his own unique brand of artistic expression through sound waves and acoustics. The showcase “All Around You” began Oct. 12, and continues through Nov 6.
The acoustic sculpture is a work mixing electronic tones emitted into a bare room by a single loudspeaker. As the sounds bounce around the room and through each other, they produce different tonal sensations at differing pitches and loudness.
“To see an acoustic sculpture we must shift our sculpture viewing habits from the ‘stand and look’ behavior to an exploratory ‘move and listen’ approach; slowly walking our ears, instead of moving our eyes, throughout the room,” said Brewster.
Acoustic sculptures by Brewster have been showcased in Australia, Europe, Canada and the United States of America since 1970. He works in the Art Department at CGU.
“The University of La Verne has a very close working relationship with the Claremont Graduate School,” said Keith Lord, the art studio manager. “So our gallery is fortunate to be a showcase for some of L.A.’s most prestigious artists.”
This is the first exhibit of its type the Harris Gallery has showcased. Because the gallery has such a naturally acoustic atmosphere, this piece is particularly effective.
When walking in, the gallery is totally empty, and completely dark. The walls are bare, and there is no furniture to sit on. There is not even a nice little flower arrangement to add a touch of color. The room is deliberately empty, except for two things; in the center of the pitch black room there is a large button on the wall with a glowing message underneath that has instructions. The display is illuminated by a single spot light.
It is definitely the kind of exhibit that is best experience with friends for no other reason but for a sense of security in a completely dark, empty room. Then there is the fun of deciding who gets to press the button to start the exhibit.
“It certainly has an emotional response,” said Ellen Maietta, ULV graduate with a bachelor’s in art,”it is like no other art exhibit I’ve experienced.”
Since the button is the only visible object in the room, it may appear intimidating, as if pushing it would set off a myriad of florescent lights and strange objects jumping out. It is much more subtle than that. The button begins the sound experience, giving the opportunity to use the empty space to move about the room in order to feel the different sounds and acoustics. Walking throughout the room, the sounds appear to be coming from all around and in different tones.
“Viewers consistently report interpreting or understanding these heard experiences by using spatial referents from their visual realm,” said Brewster. “These works develop our ‘mind’s eye’.”
Whether someone is a science major or art major, Michael Brewster’s Acoustic Sculpture is an experience that uses technological knowledge to create a sculpture in the mind. It is the perfect opportunity to give eyes a break and flex creative hearing skills.
Brewster is scheduled to give a lecture on his Acoustic Sculpture Oct. 27, at 7 p.m. For more information on the acoustic art exhibit, call ext. 4763.
Johnny Hagerman
