The Euphrat Museum of Art at De Anza College is hosting an exciting exhibition called “Encoding Empathy,” showcasing how artists are using technology in their work. The exhibit runs from January 30 to March 20 and is part of Silicon Valley Reads, which focuses on the theme “Empowering Humanity: Technology for a Better World.”
One of the featured artists, Steve Dellicarpini, collaborated with the AI program ChatGTP to create a unique piece titled “Blue Screen of Red.” This piece consists of a grid of fans equipped with GPUs and blue lights that change to red and vary in speed. Dellicarpini even asked the AI to help with the title, which expresses thoughts on technology and its overwhelming nature.
Ceramic artist Virginia San Fratello also embraces tech in her crafting. She uses robotic assistance to design modern ceramics with intricate textures, employing a programming language known as G-code.
Nick Dong presents “Victory Banner of Enlightenment,” featuring 40 handmade brass singing bowls. This installation incorporates electronics and a microcomputer, symbolizing enlightenment over conflict through the lens of traditional victory banners.
Shannon Wright’s journey began during the pandemic when she couldn’t access a woodshop. She learned 3D modeling, leading to her works displayed in the exhibit, including “Exodus II,” a 3D printed sculpture, and “Ride,” a model accompanied by a projected animation.
Several artists convey the emotional impacts of technology using more classical art forms. Bing Zhang’s works, “Touch” and “Subway,” explore how digital devices can create feelings of isolation. “Subway” vividly depicts commuters absorbed in their gadgets, disconnected from each other.
Siana Smith’s “Family Time” captures her family in their living room, each engaged with their own laptops but united in playing the same game. Her piece “Devirtualization” contrasts two images of the same young woman—one smiling while looking at her phone, the other frowning as she looks away.
Children’s book illustrations by David Biedrzycki tell a tale of a robot named Robot, who, while trying to keep up in a warehouse, gains unexpected experiences in music and art after a detour for reprogramming.
Artist Robynn Smith integrates her travel photos into mixed media paintings, reflecting on the complexities of humanity. Meanwhile, Pantea Karimi uses digitally drawn prints to honor the “Women, Life, Freedom” movement in Iran, illustrating ancient Persian history with modern female figures advocating for autonomy.
For nature enthusiasts, Na Omi Judy Shintani and Colin Wright created an interactive work titled “Worms surface/Mimizu izuru,” inspired by the Japanese calendar’s micro-seasons. It highlights the arrival of rainy May days when worms emerge from the earth.
Salma Arastu’s series “Mycelial Flow” uses digital and mixed media to celebrate mycelium, the life-giving network of fungi below the forest floor, emphasizing its role in maintaining ecological balance and healing the environment.
An artist reception for “Encoding Empathy” is scheduled for Saturday, March 15, from noon to 2 p.m. This event will include refreshments and live music, inviting the community to engage with the art and the messages behind it. For more information about the exhibit and upcoming events, you can check the museum’s website.
