Eyebeam

Tourists and Travelers: New commissioned works by artists Taeyoon Choi and Joseph DeLappe

Press Release

Taeyoon Choi's electro-mechanical bird Camerautomata Charlie: Image
Digesting Robotic Duck is unleashed in tourist-heavy habitats, such
as New York City's Central Park, to roam and snap-and then defecate-
photos of its own. Born of a hacked digital camera, printer and
vacuum cleaner, Camerautomata Charlie and its flock will be on
display at Eyebeam alongside digital prints, drawings, and video
documentation of interventions in public spaces.

Joseph DeLappe will present documentation, artifacts and new works
derived from The Salt Satyagraha Online-Gandhi's Salt March in Second
Life, his 240-mile reenactment of the walk in real life and in
cyberspace. Over the course of 26 days in the spring of 2008, DeLappe
walked the entire distance on a customized treadmill at Eyebeam,
which was programmed to control his online Gandhi avatar in Second
Life. A centerpiece of the Tourist and Travelers exhibition is a
monumental cardboard replica-the same height, in fact, as
Michelangelo's sculpture of David-created from a 3-D model of the
Gandhi avatar. Large format prints, stop-action animations, and video
from the performance piece will also be on view.

On June 21 Eyebeam will also hold its annual Open Studios, from
3-6PM. During Open Studios, Eyebeam resident and fellow artists
welcome the public into their working environments and showcase
recent projects. Artists participating in the 2008 Open Studios
include: Ayah Bdeir, Jeff Crouse, Geraldine Juárez, David Jimison,
Friedrich Kirschner, Steve Lambert, Zachary Lieberman, JooYoun Paek,
Dan Torop, Addie Wagenknecht, Joe Winter and Eyebeam student
residents Tahj Banks and Glenroy Moore.

Documentation and projects by Jamie Allen, Jessica Banks, Michael
Mandiberg and Andrew Paterson will also be on view.

Eyebeam's programs for artists and technologists support the creative
research, production and presentation of initiatives that query art,
technology and culture. The Commission for Resident Artists is a
period of concentration and immersion in artistic investigation,
daring research or experimental production of visionary expression,
applications and projects. The 2008 Commission, underwritten by
Dewar's, was awarded to one American and one international artist;
the award included a stipend as well as additional support for travel
and accommodation.

Related events:
A guided tour with Charlie, June 28, 3PM
Tourist Photography Club meeting July 19, 3PM

Credits:
Eyebeam's 2008 Commission for Resident Artists is underwritten by
Dewar's. Joseph DeLappe's work is supported, in part, by grants from
the University of Nevada, Reno, College of Liberal Arts and The
School of the Arts.