IN THE DARK: A wearable-technology-including-light project and competition

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 goes public on the following dates at the following venues (check links for details):

• Thursday, Jan. 30, 7pm at MOCA Cleveland
• Saturday, Feb. 15, 6-8pm at Brite Winter arts and music festival
• Saturday, March 29, 1-3pm at Cleveland Mini Maker Faire by Ingenuity
• Saturday, April 12, 8pm at the Great Lakes Science Center’s “Yuri’s Night Space Party”

Since October, students have been working on their unique and innovative wearable technologies that include light. And their work will continue throughout the spring. As part of the design process, the entries will be revised and further refined for each successive venue, with final judging for the awards competition taking place at the final venue, Great Lakes Science Center. Each venue will also include 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, along with refinement across venues.

IN THE DARK is a program of the Cleveland Institute of Art's Cores + Connections, CIA's academic vision which supports the development of students' social agency by connecting students, faculty, curricular cores and institutional values with mutually beneficial community partnerships in real-world immersion experiences. For more info., please 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
  
  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.
  
  
• “Pulse”
  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. (Model, pro bono: Ariona Beninato, sophomore Fashion Merchandising major from Kent State University)
  
  “A flowing garment that combines chic elegance with motion sensor light technology."
  
  
• “Effulgence”
  By Jarrod Davis, CIA junior T.I.M.E. major from Garrettsville, Ohio; Leah Yochman, CIA sophomore Sculpture major from Orwell, Ohio. (Model: 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."
  

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

Zoom