Audience interaction is the whole idea behind the IDEAS09 exhibit. This exhibit is more than art; it is created to be an experience. This exhibit uses more than one of your senses to experience the art.
"I was happy to see several interactive digital artworks that were playful yet thoughtful works — they pushed the edges a little from conventional approaches," John Fillwalk, an associate professor of electronic art through the Institute for Digital Intermedia Arts, said.
The works showcase a unique combination of art and technology. The art brings the viewer into the digital age by using technology as a medium that gives you a different perspective than traditional art.
IDEAS09 opened on Nov. 5 as part of the 7th annual International Digital Media and Arts Association (iDMAa) conference that was held at Ball State from Nov. 5-7. This conference, "@ The Digital Edge: Innovations and Challenges," held workshops, panels and an inside look at Ball State's state-of-the-art digital media facilities.
"Faculty, staff and students join in presentation, discussion and exploration of research and projects in many fields. It's a great way to get a quick read on current integration of emerging media from outside your immediate world," Fillwalk said.
Tom Kelley, the general manager of IDEO, a design and development firm, was a keynote speaker for this conference and also held a Professional-in-Residence for Ball State students and staff on Thursday. He spoke about the importance of innovation in companies at his P-in-R, "Designing the Future".
The main theme of the conference was innovation and emerging media in the digital world. This is something that Ball State is moving toward in areas such as art, multimedia reporting and architecture.
"Ball State had a lot to offer in our collective work in emergent media art and research," Fillwalk said.
Fillwalk held a keynote address, along with three other artists exploring intersections between art, science and technology.
"I led tours of the IDIA Lab facilities in the College of Architecture and the IDIA faculty, staff and students designed an interactive conference system that linked Microsoft Surface, iPhone and Twitter using RFID tags — this was a six-month project supported by the CMD — a huge undertaking for us," Fillwalk said.
The iDMAa conference and the IDEAS09 exhibit discussed the arrival of interactivity, which BSU students and staff are continuously exploring.
"[The conference] brings the world to us — it is important as a regional university to reach out — to pull in outside energy and current discourse; it was great exposure for us, and I believe some important strategic relationships will come of it," Fillwalk said.
The iDMAa conference is now over, but the IDEAS09 exhibit will be open at the Ball State Museum of Art through Dec. 6.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
