Artist Statement by Steve Belovarich
“Hello computer.” “Hello User, How are you feeling today?” This dialogue appears in The Tourist, a cybernetic performance where I talk to an artificial intelligence named AL through an augmented reality headset. He tells me how to succeed in life. This tongue-in-cheek reference fragments the sleek future perfect promise of electronic gadgetry in ways that stir the viewer to think about the merging of ego and the computer. The work plays on the absurdity of the public’s gaze into a mobile device as I wear an enormous headset vis-à-vis Steve Mann.
The glow of the screen is alluring, yet it displaces me from reality. Through the artwork I make with electronics, I confront the disconnect between the perpetual advancement of technology and the erosion of the natural perceptual awareness of our immediate environment. I explore my love/hate relationship with computers, as I contend with a mediated existence. In the video .highway, a visualization of the GPS grid swoops past the viewer as they voyage down the freeway, fully immersed in a simulation that signifies the real environment. This work comments on the virtualization of the American landscape; the traveller now experiences the road through an electronic lens.
Electronics reinforce the conceptual nature of the work by providing a dynamic medium to visualize perceptual phenomena found in our interaction with technology. The inner workings of consumer electronics are largely taken for granted in our fast-paced technological society. I hack electronic devices and write computer programs to express both my frustration and devotion to the machine. It is through this process that I reshape the viewer’s understanding of their developing relationship with computer technologies.
Curriculum Vitae
Objective
To empower others through teaching concepts in visual literacy.
Summary
Experience in A/V production, photography, graphic design and
interactive art in an academic and professional setting.
Education
Syracuse University (2007-10) MFA Candidate: Computer Art. Current GPA: 3.9 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (2004) Bachelor of Science: Electronic Arts.
Exhibitions
Spark VIDEO Spark Gallery Syracuse, NY (10/3/09)
Techno Culture Dowd Gallery Cortland, NY (5/28-6/26/09)
Techno Culture Redhouse Gallery Syracuse, NY (4/16-30/09)
Wired Space Case Building Syracuse, NY (4/16/09)
Electric Art 4 XL Projects Syracuse, NY (4/10/09)
Wearable Technologies The Warehouse Syracuse University (10/08)
Celebration of the Arts New Paltz, NY (09/27/08)
Electric Art 3 Tosh Gallery Syracuse, NY (4/22/08)
SPARK Meet and Greet SPARK Gallery (9/27/07)
FOCUS Renssealer Polytechnic Institute (4/22-23/04)
Teaching Experience
Computer Art Instructor Culture Jamming. CAR. Syracuse University. (2009)
Designed curriculum based on graduate research in the field of culture jamming. Students were asked to complete culture jamming projects including a mock billboard liberation and shop dropping action. Facilitated discussions based on selected readings, actions, and screenings concerning the Trickster, Situationism, Media Intervention, Hacktivism, Pirate Radio, etc.
Graduate Teaching Assistant Wearable Technologies & Responsive Environments
COLAB. Syracuse University. (2008-09)
TA interdisciplinary classes focused on integrating electronics and programming into the skillsets of artists and designers. Constructed in-class workshops, collaboratively designed computer programming curriculum, documented class exhibitions and in-progress materials, tutored students in Arduino microcontroller, C, and Max/MSP. One group was featured in the NY Times for their award winning design.
Community Art Facilitator Literacy, Community & Photography
MLAB. Syracuse University. (2008)
Participated in a group of graduate and undergraduate teachers who conducted
workshops, lessons, and historical presentations about photography at Nottingham High School in Syracuse, NY.
Guest Lecturer TOOLS. RPI. (02/2007)
Conducted Lecture and Lab: Becoming a VJ + Programming with Quartz Composer
Professional Highlights
Cameraman Insight Productions/Pro East Video. Northeast. (7/03 – 8/07)
Professionally videotape and photograph weddings, corporate media, sports events and live bands across the East Coast and Southern California.
Internet Video Consultant Self Employed. Troy, NY. (4/05 – 8/07)
Optimize and publish videos on the Internet for Corporate Clients.
Increase Conversion Rates for Internet Video. Blogging Consultant.
Video Production Assistant VPlexTV. Los Angeles, CA. (12/04 – 2/05)
Designed and installed HD plasma wall for Pioneer Electronics at CES in Las Vegas. Maintained plasma wall on site and documented CES 2005 in HD.
Grants and Residencies
Shaffer Creative Grant (Syracuse University, 2008)
Awarded grant to purchase a stereoscopic 3D video headset in order to experiment with augmented reality scenarios. This grant was instrumental in the development of several works including The Tourist.
Artist in Resident Experimental Television Center. 2004. Owego, NY. (2004)
Created motion tracking application for ETC which culminated in an overall comprehension of similar programming techniques later used in several works.
References
Home for Living. Video. Aired on The Looseleaf Report. LA,CA & NY,NY. 02/16/05
Aaron, Kenneth. “Creativity gets its close-up“ Albany Times Union. 04/24/04
