March 11, 2014

The exhibitions OPTIC CHIASM: The Crossing Over of Art & Science, an Atlanta Science Festival event, and BLIND/SIGHT: Conversations with the Visually Inspired will be on view at the Oglethorpe University Museum of Art from March 22 through May 4, 2014.

OPTIC CHIASM: The Crossing over of Art & Science, an exhibition exploring the art of vision and science of sight, presents art by Irene K. Miller, Kenn Kotara, Allan Eddy, Marcia R. Cohen, and Lisa Solomon, contemporary artists working in a variety of media, all of whom are inspired, influenced, driven and focused by and about issues of vision. Also on view are the results of research in vision/optics by scientists affiliated with area institutions, including the Atlanta Veterans Administration Medical Center, Emory University, Georgia Health Sciences University, Georgia Regents University and Medical Center, and the Medical College of Georgia.  In addition, a Camera Obscura and handheld pinhole cameras will allow visitors the opportunity for hands-on learning about the exhibition’s concepts.

OPTIC CHIASM is presented as a joint venture with the Atlanta Science Tavern and the Atlanta Science Festival.  This exhibition is organized by Nancy Lowe, director, Symbiosis Art + Science Alliance; Nicole Gerardo, assistant professor, Emory University, Department of Biology; and Elizabeth Peterson, director, OUMA.

To continue the celebration and exploration of all things visual, OUMA also presents BLIND/SIGHT: Conversations with the Visually Inspired, an exhibition created and organized by photographer Billy Howard and illustrator Laurie Shock. It presents a collection of photographs of people with vision loss, a biography of each person including a description of their vision, and an interpretative illustration of what they see. This exhibition celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Center for the Visual Impaired (CVI) and is made possible in part by CVI, VSA Arts Georgia, the Fulton County Arts Council, and Georgia Council for the Arts and the Grassroots Arts Program.

As part of the partnership with the Atlanta Science Festival to present OPTIC CHIASM, OUMA will host three free events:

•    Saturday, March 22, 12 noon-5 p.m. – An open house, with an introduction to the exhibition OPTIC CHIASM by the three co-curators at 2 p.m.

•    Wednesday, March 26, 5:00-7:00 p.m. – A public reception, with an introduction to the exhibition OPTIC CHIASM by the three co-curators

•    Wednesday, March 26, 7:00 p.m. – Following the public reception,  two lectures will be presented: “Visions: A Look at Creativity and Disability” by Ms. Elizabeth Peterson, Director, OUMA, followed by “Art-Science in America:  Building Up STEAM” by Ms. Nancy Lowe, Director, Symbiosis Art+Science Alliance

The Wednesday Lecture Series complementing the exhibitions continues:

•    April 2, 7:00 p.m. – “The Making of BLIND/SIGHT” by Mr. Billy Howard, Photographer & Ms. Laurie Shock, President, Shock Design Books

•    April 9, 7:00 p.m. – “Artist’s In Sight” by Ms. Marcia R. Cohen, Artist and SCAD Atlanta Professor

•    April 16, 7:00 p.m. – “Science  and Art:  Closer Than You Think” by Dr. Sidney Perkowitz, Candler Professor of Physics Emeritus, Emory University.

•    April 23, 7:00 p.m. – “How the Art You See Depends on the Physics Your Brain Knows” by Dr. Michael K. Rulison, Professor of Physics, Oglethorpe University

•    April 30, 7:00 p.m. – “Painting in the Dark” by Mr. Allan Eddy, Artist

The lectures are $5 general admission and free for OUMA members and children under 12.

Oglethorpe University Museum of Art is open Tuesday-Sunday, 12 noon to 5 p.m. and closed Mondays and university holidays. General admission is $5. OUMA members and children under 12 receive free admission. Parking is free.  Please call in advance so that we may best accommodate disability access or to arrange touch tours for individuals with low vision. OUMA is located on the Oglethorpe University campus at 4484 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30319. OUMA is supported by the Georgia Council for the Arts. For more information, visit museum.oglethorpe.edu or call 404-364-8555.

Oglethorpe University has entered an era of innovation, reinvigoration, and growth with the opening of the $16M Turner Lynch Campus Center in 2013 and the launch of a $50M comprehensive campaign. Founded in 1835, Oglethorpe is Atlanta’s leading liberal arts and sciences university of 1100 students representing 34 states and 28 countries. Oglethorpe is the only university in Georgia to be named for seven consecutive years to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for commitment to and achievement in community service. In 2012, Oglethorpe launched two strategic partnerships with study abroad provider Global LEAD and EF (Education First), the world leader in international education. EF’s Atlanta headquarters is located on Oglethorpe’s campus, which is also home to the OU Museum of Art and Georgia Shakespeare, a professional theatre-in-residence. Renowned for its groundbreaking core program, Oglethorpe is a member of the Annapolis Group, comprised of America’s most selective liberal arts institutions, and has been named among U.S. News & World Report’s Best Liberal Arts Colleges, Forbes’ America’s Best Colleges, and Princeton Review’s Best Southeastern Colleges. The Oglethorpe Stormy Petrels compete in the NCAA Division III Southern Athletic Association.

Contact: Renee Vary, 404-364-8868 or [email protected]

# # #