Arts

Exhibition of visual poetry

The third student-curated gallery exhibition has opened with the first UK exhibition of computer-generated visual poetry.

e-motive: Visual Poetry in the Digital Age showcases a variety of works by international artists based in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, the UK and the United States.

The featured works have been created through computer software, allowing for experimentation in digital imaging, animation, electronic sound and holography. The aural, visual, animated and interactive qualities of these exhibits give an insight into a medium of poetry in which electronics help expand visual poetry into the realm of new media.

Visual poetry is a medium that explores the tension between the semantics and the visuality of written language. In each piece words, letters or symbols are treated as primary material, enriched by the dynamic nature and physical possibilities of technology.

Code Movie, 2004 by Giselle Beiguelman

The selected artworks range from prints and projections to those displayed on computer monitors, all of which will be set in a dimly lit space, immersing the viewer in a theatrical experience.

Lydia Gordon, one of the MA students who has curated the show, said: ‘e-motive aims to reveal the latest experiments in visual poetry and draw the viewer’s attention to a practice that has received little exposure in the visual arts arena. It will challenge the viewer’s perceptions of poetry, as words are no longer static but set free on the page/screen, demanding the viewer to think anew.’

The exhibition will be at the University Gallery until 6 July and will be complemented by a free and exciting events programme designed for visitors of all ages. For further information e-mail vp2006@essex.ac.uk.

Paintings inspired by migraines

Research conducted in the Department of Psychology on visual stress is the inspiration behind this year’s degree day gallery exhibition.

Striking the Eye: Aversion to Contemporary Art will investigate the relationship between colour and pattern combinations, and the stress they can induce. It will be at the gallery between 15 and 22 July.

On show will be works by artist Debbie Ayles who uses phenomena experienced during her own migraine attacks as a source of inspiration. Her paintings contain many aspects of spacial periodicity and colour contrast, which, in geometric patterns can cause visual stress.

An extract from one of the paintings in the Striking the Eye exhibition

As part of a ‘sciart’ research project funded by The Wellcome Trust, Debbie has collaborated with Professor Arnold Wilkins, a vision scientist in the Department of Psychology, to investigate this further. Their on-going research has shown that the stripiness of the paintings is responsible for an aversive reaction. Only a few people are aversely affected, many others find them stimulating.

The exhibition is not suitable for those with photosensitive epilepsy or photosensitive migraine. Admission is free and opening times are as follows: Monday to Friday 11am to 5pm, and Saturday 1pm to 4.30pm.

Also in the printed June edition of Wyvern:

• Annual arts award winners