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Early this spring semester, Computer Art and Animation Program Coordinator Rebecca Ruige Xu and her graduate students traveled to The Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art. Driving along the interstate on a cloudy day, the students spotted a misty mountain range. The scenery inspired the group’s title for their “Mist: Beyond the Veil” art exhibition.

“The graduate students are taking a metaphorical journey into this unknown realm of creativity and imagination,” Xu said.“They are experimenting with different kinds of mediums and trying to find their own direction.”

On Friday, Syracuse University’s master of fine arts computer art program unveiled “Mist: Beyond the Veil” in the Shaffer Art Building. The exhibit, which will continue until May 2, showcases various digital art forms by seven first and second-year graduate students.

Rick Li, a second-year graduate student in the computer arts program, explored the unknown in his 3D animated video titled “Cues From The Dark.” The video, featured in the exhibit, includes a 3D model of his apartment to show how darkness can influence people’s perception of reality.

“During the day, we’re able to classify things, but in the dark, everything is unrecognizable,” Li said. “This results in us imagining and replacing the unknown based on what we do know, like sounds, wonders and fears.”

His project played on a TV screen, allowing viewers to become fully immersed in the sights and sounds of his animation. The sounds of footsteps, trees blowing in the wind, a crackling stove and imagery of a dark room garnered various reactions from exhibit attendees.

“The room is very small, so (the sounds) kind of echo back and forth. I amplified those sounds in my animation video, so it just messes with your senses,” Li said.

Sarah Golrokh, a first-year graduate student in the computer arts program, also created an animated video for the exhibit. Titled after the Buddhist and Hinduist term “Samsara,” her 2D animation explores the cycle of life, death and rebirth.

“The core concept of the animation is to illustrate the cycle of life using symbolic elements like fish (water), fisherwomen (earth), seabirds (air), and lotus flowers (rebirth),” she said.

Eastern philosophy, specifically that of the Persian poet Rumi, inspired Golrokh’s work. In her animation, she aimed to emulate his teachings about unity and inspire viewers to see themselves in others.

The exhibit provided an opportunity to showcase digital art to SU’s campus. Yukang Tao, a computer arts graduate student, said the exhibit promoted digital art in a way it hasn’t before.

“It’s really hard to integrate our majors,” Tao said. “My friend in Newhouse didn’t even know that VPA had a program that focused on computer arts, so the exhibition can help the audience learn more about our work.”

While Li and Golrokh achieved their goals, they encountered some difficulties along the way. Li endured a “painstaking” process of digitizing his apartment.

“I had no idea how many measurements I would have to do. I had to measure the length and width of every object in my apartment and try to place them (digitally) in the exact position I had them (physically),” Li said.

Golrokh also faced challenges while translating abstract ideas into visual representations, but she found it rewarding to receive feedback from viewers. She said if she evokes viewers’ emotions, she has fulfilled her purpose.

Xu felt inspired by the work her students produced this semester, especially those enrolled in other programs, such as illustration and audio arts.

“I feel I’ve learned a lot of things from this group,” she said. “They brought in a new perspective to the class, so working with them has been refreshing and inspiring.”

Published on April 30, 2024 at 8:49 pm