Event 1 - 3D: Double Vision at LACMA

          For my first event blog, I had the opportunity to visit the 3D: Double Vision show at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). I actually visited LACMA over spring break to specifically experience this exhibition before it ended on March 31. First, saying that this show was eye catching or wonderful would do it no justice. This American survey of 3D objects and practices was more than just eye catching. Curated by Britt Salvesen (LACMA's Curator and Department Head of the Wallis Annenberg Photography Department and Prints and Drawings Department), this interactive show was very educational and provoked one's imagination to great lengths. The artworks on display highlighted a period of 175 years, ranging from areas of science, mass culture, art, and entertainment. Further, the featured historic and contemporary art were seen through the illusion of three dimensions by the standard red and blue 3D glasses, polarized glasses, stereoscopes, Autostereoscopic images, and View-Masters. Moreover, what I found most interesting about the show was how it addressed the idea of perception and illusionism, and its relationship to technologies. 

Mariko Mori's "Birth of a Star." 

(photo © by Mariana Mkrttchyan)

          "Double vision," another word for stereoscopy, is the basic principle of how we see with both eyes. It is important to note that the development of 3D actually began after the stereoscope was produced in the 1830s. Initially considered a scientific device, the stereoscope soon thereafter entered popular culture, as the Victorian public became very interested with stereo photographs. 

          My personal favorites from this show included Thomas Ruff's "3D-ma.r.s.11" from his "ma.r.s" series and Tristan Duke's five Platonic Solids. Artist Thomas Ruff's fascination with the cosmos is clearly shown in his "ma.r.s" series chromogenic prints, which presents a clear relationship between 3-D imaging, art, and science. Ruff's phenomenal work with 3D allows one to experience Mars' surface from close-up, as you can see the craters deepen once one puts on their red and blue glasses. Interestingly enough, Tristan Duke offers us his five Platonic Solids, which are all hand-drawn holograms of different geometric shapes that shimmer on nickel-plated copper discs. Duke's primary work in visual perception and optical sciences allowed him to come up with his Platonic Solids, which involves the reflection of a light-source that creates an optical illusion. Therefore, when one observes the Platonic Solids from a surface angle, it will become clear that there is no floating shape. 

Thomas Ruff, 3D-ma.r.s.11, 2013, chromogenic print, 

100 3/8 x 72 7/8". (photo © by Mariana Mkrttchyan)

          

Tristan Duke "Tetrahedron." (photo © by Mariana Mkrttchyan)

          When we started learning about the unnatural separation of intellectual life being broken up into "Two Cultures" from week 1, I immediately disagreed with this development because, in fact, this show proved that such disciplines like art, technology, and science are really interconnected and work very well together. Hence, I believe Steven Pinker is correct when he emphasized heavily on this interconnection in his Seed Magazine interview "Two Cultures." 

Me at the show

(photo © by Mariana Mkrttchyan)

          Overall, this show was a great opportunity to learn more about the history of 3D film-making, AR (augmented reality), and VR (virtual reality), of which the latter two are becoming more commonplace in our current-day world. I left the show feeling very inspired and now that we are learning about how different technologies produce new forms of art and science, I am interested in coming up with some sort of new innovation that involves the use of these disciplines for my midterm project. Despite the fact that this show has ended at LACMA, I would highly recommend (if you have not already done so) that you do not miss out on the opportunity to visit a similar exhibition focused on the theme of three-dimensionality in the future. 

A picture of my ticket stub.

(photo © by Mariana Mkrttchyan)