The Center for Creativity and the Arts (CCA) at Fresno State will host renowned sculptor Jonathan Brilliant as artist in residence Sept. 7-20 to kick off its 2012-3 theme “Consumption and Sustainability.”
Working in the Henry Madden Library’s Leon S. Peters Ellipse Gallery, Brilliant will construct a large, site-specific sculpture titled “Woven & Stacked” that will remain on view until Sept. 30.
Brilliant’s massive structures woven out of 30,000 to 50,000 coffee stir sticks have been exhibited nationally and internationally. The works rely on tension and compression – not glue – for stability.
Considering the urban coffee shop his ‘natural environment,’ Brilliant’s concepts and materials are based on what he calls the “to-go coffee culture.” In addition to stir sticks, his sculptures can include straws, lids and cup sleeves. His creations are meant to immerse viewers in Brilliant’s “sense that the coffee shop and related materials are more organic and nurturing than the ‘real’ natural environment.”
Fittingly, Brilliant will work within steps of the Madden Library’s Starbucks coffee bar.
Dr. José A. Díaz, associate dean of the College of Arts and Humanities and center’s interim director said, “Jonathan Brilliant reflects the high caliber of artist CCA endeavors to bring to our community. His dynamic enthusiasm and engineering ingenuity will create a rich environment for dialog and artistic exploration for university students, campus visitors and K-12 field trip participants.”
In addition to his visual art, Brilliant is a drummer. His sense of rhythm and an impulse to “draw in space” reflect these talents. “Central to all my work,” Brilliant said, “is an interest in patterning and mark-making fused with the use of pre- and post-consumer manufactured materials and the use of rhythm and repetition to create installations, objects and works on paper.”
The public is welcome to observe the artist at work in the library 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday-Friday. Admission is free.
The center is an institution designed as a bridge between people, disciplines and ideas through art and exploration of an annual theme addressing a current and complex issue facing society. This year’s “Consumption & Sustainability” will be illuminated through exhibitions, films, lectures, debates and performances.
Funding was provided by the John and Madeline Perenchio Arts Exhibition Endowment.
More information about the Center for Creativity and the Arts, Brilliant’s artist-in-residence event and a registration form to observe him at work, visit the Center for Creativity and the Arts.
For information contact Jacqueline Doumanian at 559.278.8342 or jdoumanian@csufresno.edu.
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