The CNTRL-SPACE exhibit by Patrick Pagano, assistant in Digital Arts and Science and UF alumnus, is a new exhibit at the University Galleries that is a part of UF’s Creative B summer activities.
On display until July 25, it includes three screens showing images that change based on the user’s interaction with a device. The first, VJ-LIVE, is constructed of abstract shapes and colors that change based on the music that is playing. It includes a device called a midi controller that reacts to tapping, like a drum set for fingers.
“We are using programming and fine arts together to create new experiences,” Pagano said.
The second part of the exhibit was CNTRL-SPACE. It included an iPad with a program on it that would affect the abstract images projected onscreen. It’s actually an update of VJ-LIVE, Pagano said.
Pagano compared digital media with artwork. He said with a painting, you don’t get the opportunity to redo it.
“With digital media we’re able to revisit works and revive it and refashion it and recode it into something new,” Pagano said.
The third part of the exhibit, uVISUAL, worked with smartphones. Search terms that were typed into the website for uVISUAL would then be put into a collage with all the images from Tumblr that had that word or phrase tagged.
“It takes the Google search and puts it all together in a collage,” Pagano said.
All of the pieces in the exhibits were created to be a changing piece of art that would be different for each visitor, Pagano said. He calls it participatory art.
“When they leave the gallery, they’ve left a new painting or a new picture for the next person,” he said.
“Someone’s actually making decisions on what your stuff’s going to look like,” Pagano said. “As soon as you give someone a slider or a button to press that affects your art — it’s a whole different ballgame. It’s a different way of looking at artwork.”
[A version of this story ran on page 11 on 7/17/2014 under the headline "Artwork you can add to"]
