April 12 2014
Where Great Lakes Science Center
601 Erieside Avenue
Cleveland, OH
Seven Cleveland Institute of Art students and two Case Western Reserve University School of Engineering students rose to a 21st century challenge: design wearable technology that incorporates light for a strong visual impact before a live audience. The creators will present these items of fashion, concept and functionality at IN THE DARK, a wearable-technology-with-light competition that has its final scheduled public showing at the Great Lakes Science Center’s “Yuri’s Night Space Party” on April 12:
- 8:30-9pm: IN THE DARK Grande Finale, “Black Light Lounge” (Auditorium), Lower Level
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10-10:15pm: Awards CEREMONY, with NASA astronaut and shuttle pilot, Greg Johnson, on the Discover Stage, NASA Glenn Visitor Center, Level 1
Since October, students have been working on their unique and innovative wearable technologies that include light. In January, the works premiered at MOCA Cleveland; in February, students showed their work at Brite Winter festival; and in March at Cleveland’s Mini Maker Faire.
As part of the design process, the entries have been revised and further refined for each successive venue, with final judging for the awards competition taking place at the Science Center. Each venue has also included the opportunity for visitors/viewers to participate in a crowd favorite selection process, the results of which will be considered in the final judging process.
IN THE DARK is a program of the Cleveland Institute of Art's Cores + Connections CIA's academic commitment to student engagement in community-based learning, real-world projects, and social practices. For more info., visit http://www.cia.edu/academics/curriculum/cores--connections.
Also, please share your experience during the event by connecting with us on Instagram. Just add the hashtag #inthedark to your photos and tag CIA's account: @cleinstuteart.
IN THE DARK creators and their work:
- “Compendium”
By Graham Baldwin, CIA sophomore Sculpture major from Rome, NY
(Model: Graham Baldwin)
Compendium acts as a quiet approachable piece of intimate architecture. The work seeks to further blur the lines between analog and digital with hand sewn 3d printed pieces, and prints that mimic historic smocking patterns. With almost five pounds of 3d printed nylon covering a very traditional crinoline dress the work draws from historic and contemporary fashion designers and architects. Compendium combines armor, simple geometries, and historic fashion into one.
- “Effulgence”
By Leah Yochman, CIA sophomore Sculpture major from Orwell, Ohio; Daoning Zhou, CWRU junior Chemical Engineering major from Butte, Montana.
(Model, pro bono: Chloe Niclas, CIA sophomore Illustration major)
"Future and stress: while some technology alleviates stress, others induce it. This garment and work seek to create a soothing environment using lights, reflections and color."
- “Pulse + Luminance”
By Ben Horvat, CIA senior Drawing major from North Royalton, Ohio; Marcy Kniss, CIA senior Graphic Design major from Whitehouse, Ohio; Ray Krajci, December 2013 CWRU Computer Engineering graduate from Canton, Ohio; and Eric Payne, CIA freshman from Shaker Heights, Ohio.
(Models, pro bono: Ariona Beninato, sophomore Fashion Merchandising major from Kent State University; Arianna Likouris, KSU freshman Fashion Design major)
“Pulse is a flowing garment that combines chic elegance with motion sensor light technology. Luminance, the next iteration of Pulse, utilizes advanced motion detection and pattern generation. The evolved technical aspects and further resolved construction of the dress allow for greater performative possibilities and for more natural evolution of lighting patterns. Side by side, Pulse and Luminance work as aesthetic opposites, but ultimately are conceptually congruent as functioning social art works.”
IN THE DARK Project Faculty and Staff:
- Barbara Chira, Project Director (Academic Director, Cores + Connections, and adjunct professor of art, CIA)
- Maria Rouzzo, CIA Student Volunteer, Curatorial and Staging Director for Venues (from Struthers, Ohio and junior T.I.M.E. major)
- Daoning Zhou, CWRU Student Volunteer, Project Management Consultant to Creators and Technical Advisor (from Butte, Montana and senior Chemical Engineering major)
Advisory Capacity:
- Matthew Hollern, Professor and Chair of Jewelry & Metals, CIA
- Marc Tomko, Visiting Instructor in Sculpture, CIA
- Ian Charnas, Operations Manager, think[box], Case Western Reserve University School of Engineering
See a slideshow of the IN THE DARK work below
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