Daniel Rozin, whose pioneering blend of technology, craft and portraiture has been displayed in galleries worldwide, will talk about his art during an Oct. 24 appearance at Texas A&M University’s College of Architecture.
The college’s Artist in Residence program, its Department of Visualization and Texas A&M’s Academy of Visual and Performing Arts are sponsoring Rozin’s appearance at 5 p.m. Oct 24 in the Preston Geren Auditorium, located in Building B of the Langford Architecture Center on the Texas A&M campus.
“In many cases the viewer becomes the content of the piece,” states an article on Rozin’s work posted on his website. “In others, the viewer is invited to take an active role in the creation of the piece. Even though computers are often used in Rozin's work, they are seldom visible.”
In Rozin’s “Peg Mirror – 2007” 650 wooden circular pieces cut at an angle, 42” high by 42” wide, are arranged in a circle. A tiny camera at the center of the piece captures the image of an approaching viewer. With the aid of a computer and software authored by Rozin, the pieces create a mirror image of the viewer, with the reflected image moving as the viewer moves.
“The silently moving wood components in this piece,” says website caption, “flicker like jewels or coins in the spotlight, challenging our notions about what constitutes a ‘digital object.’”
“He’s pulling together a lot of different aspects in what seem like very simple constructions that are actually very elaborate,” said Carol LaFayette, associate professor of visualization and chairwoman of the college’s 2008 Artist in Residence program. Rozin hand-crafts his work, writes software, uses video technology, and incorporates audio as part of his work, as the mirrors, steel balls, wood or other surfaces in his mirror pieces make sounds as they move to reflect a viewer.
“He’s appealing in an interdisciplinary way,” said LaFayette. “I think construction science students would appreciate how he builds things, architects might appreciate the craft that goes into how he makes them, and viz students can appreciate the interactive technology he uses.”
The Jerusalem-born artist has had solo exhibitions in New York and Jerusalem and been part of group exhibitions worldwide.
Rozin’s appearance will be followed by a reception in the Langford B exhibit hall.
“New media has tried in lots of ways to investigate what it is that technology can bring to art. I think in his case he’s really pushing the boundary with a combination of mediums driven by technology,” said LaFayette.
More information and samples of Rozin’s work are available on his website, .
