Artist Lecture: Christopher Coleman Tuesday Feb 4th

The University of Maine Intermedia MFA program is pleased to announce the first presenter, Christopher Coleman, for their Spring 2014 Visiting Artist series, co-sponsored by the Cultural Affairs/Distinguished Lecture Series. The artist will present a public lecture on Tuesday, February 4th at 7pm in 104 IMRC, Stewart Commons on the University of Maine campus in Orono.

Christopher Coleman uses art to create disruptions from daily life. Sometimes these disruptions are subtle, and sometimes enveloping. His art is always looking outward, unearthing the problematic and seeking possible pathways for positive forward movement. Coleman was trained in philosophy of critical and interventionist art but has become unsatisfied with a strategy of constantly pointing out the problems of the world, always questioning, but never looking for or suggesting any answers. He has begun a long-term shift towards a more positive practice, retaining criticality but coupling it with possible solution vectors.

Christopher Coleman received his BFA in his native state from West Virginia University in 2001 and his MFA from New York State University at Buffalo in 2003. A number of his undergraduate years were devoted to studying Mechanical Engineering, knowledge that he brings to bear in his installations. His work includes sculptures, performances and videos as well as interactive installations. Coleman has had his work in exhibitions in Singapore, Finland, Sweden, Italy, Germany, France, China, the UK, Latvia and 16 other countries. Domestically his work has been shown at more than 45 events and festivals, Spaces Gallery in Cleveland, the Albright Knox in Buffalo NY, and the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art to name a few. In 2009 he received the Metropolis Art Prize Grand Prize and had his work featured in Times Square NYC. His software project (in collaboration with Ali Momeni) called Maxuino has been downloaded by 30,000 by people in 125 countries and is used in classrooms and artworks across the globe. He currently resides in Denver, CO and is an Associate Professor of Emergent Digital Practices at the University of Denver.

The Masters of Fine Arts in Intermedia at the University of Maine provides substantial advanced study for individuals interested in interdisciplinary study in the arts. The program emphasizes intensive development of students’ creative and innovative abilities through a diverse engagement with multiple research processes, critical thinking skills and creative production tools and technologies. The visiting artist series supports and reflects the wide variety of disciplines represented by the program including but not limited to, Art, New Media, Theater, Dance, Philosophy, Art History, Engineering, Communications, Media Studies, Music, Psychology, Natural Sciences, and others.

For more about the artist, please visit: http://www.digitalcoleman.com

These events are sponsored by the Intermedia MFA Program, the Department of New Media, the University of Maine Cultural Affairs / Distinguished Lecture Series and the Correll Professorship in New Media.

For more information contact Bethany Engstrom at bethany.engstrom@umit.maine.edu