Visual artist visits campus

Mark Dion displays his science-inspired art

Visual artist Mark Dion visited Georgia College on Monday, Jan. 31, and gave a talk, engaging students and faculty about his artwork.Dion talked about his examination of science and aesthetics during his presentation, “An Explication of Recent Endeavors,” that took place in the Arts and Sciences Auditorium. During his presentation Dion showed many examples of his work through a slide lecture and explained details of his work, which incorporates elements of biology, ethnography, archeology and the history of science. He applies his artwork methodologies that are generally used for science.

He also worked with students and faculty in the Department of Art while he visited Georgia College. He worked with students in the print gallery with special silkscreen, and created a limited edition print.

Senior art major Alison Kuhlke was impressed that Georgia College found such an appealing artist with high credentials.

Kendyl Wade | gcsunade.com

Visiting artist Mark Dion shows off his science-inspired artwork. His diagrams of tree trunks and some of the art he brought to campus on Jan. 31.

“Georgia College is blessed to be able to have him on campus; he is an impressive artist with an impressive resume,” Kuhlke said. She has never seen art presented in such a way as Dion’s, and she found it to be very fascinating.

“It is interesting how he was able to merge natural objects and put them in an unnatural setting,” Kuhlke said.

Junior art history major Becky Skuse was not sure how to interpret Dion’s work as it was very complex.

“His work wasn’t straight forward, and he, like his work, was vague,” Skuse said. Skuse also thought that Dion’s work was more from an environmental point-of-view, than an artist point-of-view.

Dion has traveled the world and collaborated with a wide variety of scientist, artist and museums. He has dug up ancient and modern artifacts from the banks of the Thames in London, established a marine life laboratory using specimens from New York’s Chinatown, and created a cabinet of curiosities exploring natural and philosophical hierarchies.

He is constantly working on new ideas and projects.

“I usually work on 12 or 14 projects at a time, and I work about two years ahead,” Dion said. “I am constantly collecting items for my work in nature and in antique shops.”

Dion’s approach highlights illustration and accuracy, but is charged with a striking undertone and quirky sense of humor. He has a longstanding interest in exploring how ideas about natural history are visualized and how they flow with society. His work examines ways in which dominant principles and public institutions shape the understanding of knowledge, history and the natural world.

“The job of artists is to go against the grain of dominant culture, and challenge perception and convention,” Dion said.

Dion has worked with zoos, historical societies, archaeological societies, natural history museums and others. He is best known for his scientific presentation in his installations, and he has been featured in many galleries and museums worldwide, including the Modern Museum of Art, PBS series art:21, and the Tate Gallery. Dion is also a professor in the visual arts department at Columbia University.

Posted by TaylorSeay on Feb 10 2011. Filed under Features, Lead stories. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.