An installation at the recently-opened Monticello Library in Shawnee, Kan., Mediated Set (Cart Forms and Glass Inclusions), is a collaboration of Painting Professor James Woodfill and New York-based artist Stephen Lichty for a site-specific commission through the Johnson County Public Art Commission. “Our contribution to the Library consists of seven modified book cart sculptures and a set of adjustments to the glass separating the building’s private meeting rooms from an otherwise open plan. As a consequence of our collaborative approach these works represent a full stack of conceptual and material negotiations. Two people looking at the same thing will see something different. Learning to affirm difference has been the virtue and strength of our collaboration, and a virtue that is echoed both by the County’s willingness to commission our experimental project and by the infinite possibilities – the sanctuary – given by any library and the agency of its patrons,” said Woodfill and Lichty in their artist’s statement. Mediated Set (Cart Forms and Glass Inclusions) is a two-part installation carried out after extensive collaboration with the library designers and staff. The Glass Inclusions were meant as a mediator between the idea of public and private meeting areas, and involved added layers of read more…
Powerful Public Art Unveiled on Campus
Come by the Rowland Commons on the KCAI campus to experience a dynamic new sculpture – This is NOT a Refuge by Anila Quayyum Agha. Part of the ambitious, city-wide arts festival Open Spaces, the sculpture is a house-like installation made of white laser-cut steel featuring intricate patterns that reflect shadow and light. The work was made at Anila’s direction at A. Zahner in Kansas City. Be sure to take a seat on the bench inside and contemplate this beautiful installation, inspired by the plight of global refugees. Pakistan-born, Indianapolis-based artist Anila is known for her structures that meld architecturally specific references to themes of global politics, cultural identity, mass media and social/gender roles. Her artwork aspires to be both soothing and conceptually challenging at the same time. This is NOT a Refuge is a temporary, yet significant, addition to the college landscape. Students have just started the Fall semester and the opportunity to see a major installation enriches the curriculum and understanding of what it means to produce large, public works of art. This project will be on site for nine weeks and represents just one example of the amazing art you will see throughout KC during Open Spaces. read more…
KCAI Student Team Competes in Make48
Four KCAI students and Randy Williams, senior director of corporate programs, are heading to Baltimore August 10-12 for Make48. Mol Mir, Kevin Heckart, Zane Smith, all seniors in Interactive Arts and Joseph Canizales, (Junior, Sculpture) will have 48 hours to come up with an idea, create a prototype and promotional video and then present their idea to a panel of judges from QVC, Ace Hardware and other industry giants. They’ll join 11 other college teams from Georgetown, Rice, Tulane, University of Nevada-Reno, University of Miami, University of Connecticut, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, University of Illinois-Champaign, K-State Polytech, and Michigan Tech. Season three of the Make48 documentary series will be filmed in Baltimore. Season one was filmed on our campus and followed the KCAI winning team and two other teams through the competition and getting their products ready for market. Binge watch season one by going to Amazon Prime Video, PBS.org or Make48.com. Season 2 premieres in September on local PBS/APT (American Public Television) stations across the country. About Make48 Make48 is the brainchild of a group of Kansas City-based inventors who have been developing and launching products for decades. Their passion for inventing and problem-solving lead read more…