MARCH 28,.2007

ARTS & ENT

Interactive Sculptures Latest Hot Exhibit at Confed Centre

Adam W. Morrison Morrison is a journalism student at Holland College.

An exhibit now on display at the Con- federation Centre of the Arts that is showing art is not exclusive to paintings.

Running Jan. 28 till May 13, Cheap Meats Dreams and Acorns showcases the talent of Ken Gregory, which art gallery director Jon Tupper describes as interactive sculptures.

“He is someone not seduced by tech- nology. Many artists are obsessed with using and owning the latest gadgets and software. Ken’s approach is to use tech- nology in a very visceral way, mixing old machines like gramophone horns with new things like servo motors, and people respond to that.”

Tupper does hope people take away from their visit a learning experience or feel inspired to make machines on their own. As for the importance of appre- ciating art, especially in this day and age of cutting edge technology, Tupper says those who experience art and culture live longer and healthier lives.

“They feel more in touch with things and events that surround them. They have a deeper understanding of contem- porary life and are able to look critically at current events,” explained Tupper.

For those wondering where the exhibi- tion’s title came from, Gregory says there is no direct meaning behind it.

“T kind of let people decide for themselves what it means. For me, the artwork and the title are 50 per cent of what I do and the remaining 50 per cent comes from the minds of the viewer.”

Gregory, who lives in Winnipeg; found an interest in art and mechanics at a young age.

“When I was a kid, I always really crea- tive with everything I was doing. When playing music, I was also making my own amplifiers and working on mechanics,” said Gregory.

When he got more into music, Gre- gory took an interest in electronics and electronic music.

“There was a point when the two ctossed and I began doing shows with art galleries instead of bars because the people were more interested in listening to what you were doing. The music and sound was not based on entertaining people or be part of pop music. Instead, it was all experimental and that was interesting not only to me, but a small group of people that tended to be other artists.”

Among the pieces on display at the

Confederation Centre, there is an indoor weather vane and what’s known as a Hyperball System.

“The weather vane came from an earlier show called Climate Control or How to Predict Weather Using a Pig Spleen. That show is based on weather predicting systems based in folklore and that’s where the weather vane comes into play,” said Gregory.

“Using a weather vane was the first thing a farmer or anybody interested in what was going to happen with the weather that day could figure out. The rest of that show dealt with the relation- ship between old and new technology, where as now we can hit the internet and. look at what the current conditions are, ot we will just look out the window.”

The Hyperball System is an audio work, said Gregory.

“T make electronic instruments that are interactive. I perform with them, and other people wanted to play, too. What I did was create an interface that removes my body from the performance,” said Gregory.

This was an experiment in interfacing two technologies, but also experimental

_ software writing that deals with the ball

system.

“The software writing was different that most people would assume. For instance, in most music sampling sys- tems sold, they continue to use the black and white piano keyboard system where people can still map sound to a certain key. That’s what most consider the basic sampling system,” said Gregory.

With Gregory’s system, no single sound is matched to any ball.

“What happens is that the computer reads the density of motion and the amount of velocity, calculates different values, and finally applies it to the sound SEE.”

Because a lot of the pieces have been on display for a long time, Gregory has been able to observe the response from the public.

“T’ve gotten lots of positive feedback from people and especially from those who may not be up on art, whether it’s interactive or media art. A lot of the pieces on display have a visual hook peo- ple can grab on to and that draws their

- own energy into the system, with just the

simple task of pushing a button. Doing so will get people thinking and become part of the artwork,” said Gregory.

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Association 2007 Student Leadership Bursaries

Background The UPEI Alumni Association and the UPEI Student Union have joined together to establish annual $600 awards for UPEI students who, through demonstrated leadership and volunteerism, have contrib- uted to the betterment of University life and are committed to enhancing student experiences at UPEI. The award funds are raised at the Annual Friends of UPEI Winter Banquet. Terms Awards of $600 will be awarded to full- time returning students, in good academic standing who demonstrate leadership in university life including, but not limited to, University clubs, Student Union, residence assistants, athletics, tutoring, peer support or other activities. Financial need is a more important consideration than academic results. The number of awards given will be determined by the amount raised. Re- cipients may be granted the award in more than one year. Nomination and Application Guide- lines 1. A person be nominated by at least two other members of the UPEI community, including a brief statement about why the student deserves the bursary. It would include reasons why the nominee, through leadership and volunteer- ing, demonstrated dedication to the betterment of University life and a commitment to enhanc- ing the student experiences at UPEI, deserves the bursary. The

nominee should be advised by the nominators that his or her name is being put forward, and submit a confidential statement of finan- cial commitments and resources (Registrar’s Office Scholarship and Bursary Application Form) before the deadline. S Students can apply with a brief es- say, no more than one page, outlining their leadership and volunteer experiences as well as a resume, including two on-campus references whom the selection committee may contact. Students must also complete the Registrar’s Office Scholarship and Bursary Application Form, including the statement of financial commitments and resources. Selection The recipients will be recommended by a special committee of the UPEI Student Union and the UPEI Alumni Association, to the Chair of the UPEI Admissions, Degree and Scholarship Committee for confirmation. The bursaries will be de- posited to the student’s UPEI account on the last day of April each year. Funding The UPEI Alumni Association and the UPEI Student Union will contribute the funds, no later than March of each year. Deadline Friday, April 13th, 2006 - 4:00pm

Applications can be dropped off at the Student Un- ion reception desk, 2" Floor South, W.A. Murphy Student Centre, Monday to Friday 9:00am through 4:00pm.