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The challenges and accomplishments that come about when art and technology combine will be the focus of a presentation by Jeffrey Helm, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, noon Friday, Dec. 1, in Acopian Engineering Center room 239.
Helm’s presentation is sponsored and organized by the Dry Surfers, a special-interest living group in Keefe Hall, and Information Technology Services.
Helm will focus on three main topics: the work he did assisting Alastair Noble, assistant professor of art, in realizing three sculptures, the work he did in theater as a designer and technical director, and the process that goes on when an artist or designer turns to outside technical help. In all these cases, he stresses the interdisciplinary nature which is often found in the “real world,” especially the role of communication and compromise.
“The ability to communicate and come to constructive compromise is the greatest factor in the success of these endeavors,” he says. “This is the message I would like the students to take away from the presentation.”
Helm will specifically discuss the construction of one of Noble’s sculptures, comprised of three metal plates, which required the precision of the mechanical engineering department’s Computer Numerical Control machine. Helm says that through the process, they both learned about the capabilities and limitations of the technical equipment, while still capturing the essence of Noble’s vision.
“The real magic of art and technology meeting comes out when the artist can realize his or her vision in a new medium that would not be possible without outside help, and the technologist needs to stretch to do something no one may have envisioned before,” Helm says. “When this works, both parties leave with the satisfaction of a job well done and both have grown during the experience.”
Helm says he would like to see many more interdisciplinary projects on campus.
“Theater, sculpture, graphic art and photography are a constant blending of the arts and sciences,” Helm says. “More official cross departmental projects would be a fantastic addition to the College and a chance for students and faculty to grow in ways they could not imagine.”