Glenn Smith
Artist Statement |
Dear Fellow Eugene Artists and Patrons of the Arts:
It is my goal to build upon the incredible work of Steve and the New Zone community in order to help continue to establish Eugene, Oregon as the "new Manchester" -- i.e, the first city to truly devote itself to "art as industry"; i.e., the first city to truly put into practice the fact that humankind is now free to pursue its creative potential, and indeed must do so if it is to continue to thrive.
But does this imply that the practical, "nuts and bolts" members of our society -- and I am one of them -- are to take a back seat to what has normally been considered our creative class ?!? Absolutely not !!!
Given that the computer -- itself a machine -- is bringing in its wake an ever-larger army of robotic and non-robotic devices, an art which engages with the machine in all its forms can help pave the way for a future in which the machine becomes our creative partner in restoring the planet, caring for the sick, exploring the universe -- and yes, helping us to create art; and in truth, the continuing efforts to endow the machine with aesthetic sensibilities can only be regarded favorably, as per Herbert Marcuse's statement that “the aesthetic values are the non-aggressive values par excellence” ( http://www.mdpi.com/2076-0752/6/2/5 ).
But if we are to engage with the machine as artists, we must also engage with Eugene's technical and industrial community; I know this is already happening to a great extent -- just look around the gallery (!!!); but I would enjoy diving in and helping to accelerate the process, as it can really contribute to Eugene's economic well-being.
Further -- and as a modest contribution to this overall effort -- I have already committed to Steve that I will be donating one or more of my "programmable armatures" to the gallery, and for the use of any member who might wish to experiment with this really quite approachable technology.
And finally this point: I am offering Cyberman 2021 for sale at $3,000, and with all proceeds to be donated to the New Zone -- and if a bluebird flies in the window (!!!), I will be urging Steve to use this money towards the purchase of a bank of solar cells that can be mounted on our roof, and used to power future kinetic art works !!!
With thanks again for all of the great work that has gone into the New Zone,
Glenn
It is my goal to build upon the incredible work of Steve and the New Zone community in order to help continue to establish Eugene, Oregon as the "new Manchester" -- i.e, the first city to truly devote itself to "art as industry"; i.e., the first city to truly put into practice the fact that humankind is now free to pursue its creative potential, and indeed must do so if it is to continue to thrive.
But does this imply that the practical, "nuts and bolts" members of our society -- and I am one of them -- are to take a back seat to what has normally been considered our creative class ?!? Absolutely not !!!
Given that the computer -- itself a machine -- is bringing in its wake an ever-larger army of robotic and non-robotic devices, an art which engages with the machine in all its forms can help pave the way for a future in which the machine becomes our creative partner in restoring the planet, caring for the sick, exploring the universe -- and yes, helping us to create art; and in truth, the continuing efforts to endow the machine with aesthetic sensibilities can only be regarded favorably, as per Herbert Marcuse's statement that “the aesthetic values are the non-aggressive values par excellence” ( http://www.mdpi.com/2076-0752/6/2/5 ).
But if we are to engage with the machine as artists, we must also engage with Eugene's technical and industrial community; I know this is already happening to a great extent -- just look around the gallery (!!!); but I would enjoy diving in and helping to accelerate the process, as it can really contribute to Eugene's economic well-being.
Further -- and as a modest contribution to this overall effort -- I have already committed to Steve that I will be donating one or more of my "programmable armatures" to the gallery, and for the use of any member who might wish to experiment with this really quite approachable technology.
And finally this point: I am offering Cyberman 2021 for sale at $3,000, and with all proceeds to be donated to the New Zone -- and if a bluebird flies in the window (!!!), I will be urging Steve to use this money towards the purchase of a bank of solar cells that can be mounted on our roof, and used to power future kinetic art works !!!
With thanks again for all of the great work that has gone into the New Zone,
Glenn