CREATE by Philippe Safire
Among the earliest records of art making are hand prints outlined in color on cavern walls created by people thirty thousand years ago. We might consider these early cave paintings the “new media art” of prehistoric times. Inspired by these pieces, Philippe Safire designed a digital version in the form of a custom application displayed on a multi-touch screen. If the viewer puts their hand on the screen, an animation of colored pixels encircles the fingers and palm. Once the hand is removed, the outline continues sparkling before disappearing. Safire invites the public to collaborate in generating unique artwork. As part of the series, the exhibition also includes a set of lenticular prints, projected animation, an internet installation and social media component. Conceived as a participatory event, CREATE features hand prints created by participants — to enjoy within and beyond the gallery space. The exhibition explores the creative process and the ephemeral quality of the digital medium.
Philippe Safire is a French-Armenian artist living and working in New York City. Recent projects include SPELL, an award-winning short film that received international recognition, and nightcolors, a public art installation in Beacon, New York. His art has been exhibited at LACDA, ArtsWestchester Gallery, REVERSE Gallery, BeaconArts, Garrison Art Center, New York University, and the Center for the Digital Arts, among other places. Recent commissions include BeaconArts and ArtsWestchester. Safire’s work has been featured in VICE Magazine + Intel’s The Creators Project, The Ascent, Faena Sphere, ArtSlant, BX200 The Bronx Visual Artist Database, Make: Magazine, Manifeste des Arts Immersifs, and the Brooklyn Art Project.
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PORTFOLIO: philippe-safire.net/create
INSTAGRAM: @philippesafirestudio
TWITTER: @philippesafire
About Center for the Digital Arts of SUNY Westchester Community College
The renovated SUNY Westchester Community College Peekskill Center, established in 1994, is located in the downtown artist district of the city of Peekskill, close to other cultural centers, galleries, and restaurants and serves over 1,000 students per year. The college offers a variety of technology workforce training programs and a diverse selection of credit courses each semester (fall, spring, and summer). The college’s English Language Institute offers ESL programs serving students from various backgrounds and countries. Our workforce development certificates include: 3D Animation, Digital Photography, Historic Preservation, Mixed Reality (XR), Social Media Specialist (online), and User Experience Design (UX). The center offers adults many opportunities to upskill, change careers, explore new fields, and expand their portfolios. In addition to these workforce development opportunities, the center also offers credit degree pathways in Business, Marketing, and a new program in ITECH (Interactive Technologies). The college also offers popular short-term software training classes for students and professionals needing to upgrade their knowledge of Adobe software and programming languages. The Open Studio Access Package and 3D Printing & Modeling Access offer facility access with technical support to community artists and entrepreneurs who wish to work on independent projects. The center also offers a dynamic STEAM summer Youth Arts Technology Program offering young people an opportunity to develop a digital arts portfolio within a college environment; and fine arts courses with local artists who will enhance drawing and painting skills for both professional and personal use. The Peekskill Center of SUNY Westchester Community College has something to offer for everyone. This center is part of the lifeblood of the community in Peekskill and a vibrant component of both northern Westchester and Putnam counties. The center offers public lectures and exhibits year round. For more information see http://www.sunywcc.edu/peekskill or email peekskill@sunywcc.edu or call us at 914-606-7300.