University Galleries and Collections

Cerebral Spirits: Stalking the Self

Court Gallery

January 30 - March 9, 2012

This exhibition explores the ways in which concepts in neuroscience research have been incorporated into visual art practice and contemporary culture. From mental illusions to hallucinations to representations of mood, these works address the intersections of body experience and mental affect through pictoral metaphor. Cerebral Spirits is organized in conjunction with the Center for Computer Art and Animation.


 

Press Release

How can the self be identified? What mechanisms are in place to reframe the self? What role does imagination perform in defining this elusive concept? These are among the concepts explored by eight visual artists in a group exhibition at the William Paterson University Galleries from January 30 through March 9, 2012. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.

An opening reception for the exhibition will be held on Sunday, February 5, from 3 to 5 p.m.; in case of snow, the reception will be held on Sunday, February 12, from 3 to 5 p.m. A panel discussion, co-sponsored by the University’s Center for Computer Art and Animation, will be held on Thursday, February 9 from 2 to 4 p.m. in the room B146 of Ben Shahn Hall.

The exhibition, titled Cerebral Spirits: Stalking the Self, explores the ways in which concepts in neuroscience research have been incorporated into visual art practice and contemporary culture. From mental illusions to hallucinations to representations of mood, these work address the intersections of body experience and mental affect through pictorial metaphor.

“Of all life’s mysteries yet to be solved, the complexity of emotions, processes and actions that make us sentient remains enigmatic,” says curator Suzanne Anker, whose work is also included in the exhibition. “Set in motion by neural networks, we think, act, and love as living beings. From fantasies to calculations, from desire to fear, the self is a unique set of operations driving our being. This exhibition presents the work of seven visual artists whose work identifies aspects of the ‘self’ ranging from hallucination to memory and the creation of sign systems.”

In addition to Anker, other artists featured in the exhibition are Phil Buehler, Richard Dupont, Thomas Eller, Frank Gillette, Michael Rees, Katy Schimert, and Jeanne Silverthorne. Works represent a wide range of media, including prints, mixed media, sculpture, and video animation. The exhibition was organized in conjunction with the William Paterson University’s Center for Computer Art and Animation.

Cerebral Spirits is one of three exhibitions on view concurrently in the William Paterson University Galleries. On view in the South Gallery is American Impressions 2012, a national juried exhibition of contemporary prints and book arts. In the East Gallery is Karla Hackenmiller: Liminal Spaces, a solo exhibition of etchings, collages, and monoprints by the grand prize winner of American Impressions 2011.

This exhibition is made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. The William Paterson University Galleries are wheelchair-accessible. Large-print handouts are available. For additional information, please call the Galleries at William Paterson University, 973-720-2654.

Related Events

Opening Reception

Sunday, Febrary 5, 2012

3:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Court Gallery