Art Theses and Dissertations

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://hdl.handle.net/1903/2745

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Interact and Transform
(2012) Balci, Selin; Gavin, Dawn; Art; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)
The micro-world, largely hidden from sight, is alluring, beautiful and potentially dangerous. The dynamic arc of life in this turbulent imperceptible world is quick and furious. In my artwork, I use simple living organisms. Because of their microscopic sizes, we don't commonly notice them and therefore they represent largely an unseen world. Microscopic forms are evidence of processes while simultaneously generating aesthetic outcomes. The diminutive life forms harmonize to create a colorful array of actions, counter-actions and conflicts where they are metaphors for various human conditions. In my work, the living entities are interactive elements and recreate observable conflicts. They compete for resources, dominate a particular area, live in harmony or become invasive and endanger others. These biological interactions and the aesthetic outcome they yield are the basis of my research. In an artificially constructed living platform, I am the impresario and my players are hostile fragile microorganisms.