Two formulaic, theory based shows are running parallel at the Sci-Arc Gallery and Sci-Arc Library respectively.

The gallery is hosting Deegan-Day Design’s, Blow X Blow is clever usage of a gallery space that in the past has felt forced and fallen under the umbrella of “art for art’s sake,” I’m looking at you Greg Lynn. I won’t go on further because they were kind enough to make the movie above, painful elevator music and all, that does a fantastic job of breaking down the reasoning behind it looks the way it looks. But, I have to mention that structurally the piece is well put together. They used soft plastic bee-hive panels, for lightness and rigidity, and joined them thin clear acrylic fins, after the break a close up photos, lastly the vertical posts that support the projection screens double as supports for the whole structure. Smart problem solving and materials choices all around.

Up the stairs and around the corner from the gallery is where you will find, Drawing as Thoughts the work of Jean-Pierre Hebert. I really wasn’t thrilled with the majority of the pieces in this show. An example being the last image after the jump, but the ones I did like were striking. Hebert, uses algorithms and texts that he considers important and enters them into a computer to create a one off piece of work not knowing for sure what will the outcome will be.

It’s a great idea and sometimes the results are mind-bending but more-over his vibe is just a little too “new-age” for me. Reminded me of walking around Laguna Beach a sunny day, only no Taco Loco. I just gravitate towards simple, stark patterns rather than that flat fuzzy images that over-complicating the formulas would yield. It’s still worth checking out but his website is more interesting to be honest.

Blow X Blow.

Above is a model on the gallery wall of a design-scheme for a prison, pretty impressive craftsmanship!

Drawing as Thoughts.

Kinda blah, right??