The Northern Illinois University Art Museum’s spring DATA Exhibition Suite delves into the array of the manner in which data surrounds us, impacts us and is interpreted. Four exhibitions open on Thursday, March 28, with a public opening reception from 5 – 8 p.m. Informal artist gallery talks begin at 6:30 p.m.
(Potential Plan of Action, Zone II), 2018. Graphite, acrylic paint, and gesso on wood panel, (36 x 48 in.). Courtesy the artist.
Museum staff members, Exhibition Advisory Committee and guest co-curator Richard Siegesmund, professor of Art and Design Education in the NIU School of Art and Design, assembled a range of artists engaged with data visualization in the “BIG/-driven/Visualized…” exhibition. From the enormous amount of bytes of information constantly being produced, collected and analyzed; to the notion that decisions are made objectively when based on data; to the nuanced means of making numerical information comprehensible and compelling through graphic and physical representation, “BIG/-driven/Visualized…” explores the data in our lives.
(Human Powered Outdoor Activity 2015), 2018. Acrylic, hardware (24 x 107 x75 in.). Courtesy the artist.
Included in the suite are three Graduate Museum Studies student-curated exhibitions with support and guidance from Instructor Peter Van Ael. “Mindful & Aspirational Projection Systems” presents mapping data with a local twist; “From Beginning to End?” suggests data is the fabric of life and universe while asking, “does it last forever?”; and “The What and How” explores the value of data, its neutrality and manipulation. All exhibitions are on view Thursday, March 28 through Friday, May 17, 2019, with a series of related thematic programming events, artist lectures and informal curator talks. The DATA Exhibition Suite is sponsored in part by Northern Public Radio WNIJ/WNIU.
Artwork and objects for the DATA exhibition suite are on loan from the exhibiting artists; the James B. and Rosalyn L. Pick Museum of Anthropology; the Map Collection of the Rare Books and Special Collections, and Regional History Center and University Archives, Founders Memorial Library at NIU.
Calendar of Events
Thursday, March 28
Public Reception
5-8 p.m., Art Museum
Thursday, March 28
Informal Talks by Exhibiting Artists in the Gallery
starting at 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 2
“BIG, -driven, Visualized…” Curator’s Informal Gallery Talk
Richard Siegesmund, Professor of Art Education & Design
5:10-6:30 p.m., Art Museum
Thursday, April 11
“Computer Science on the Chicago Streets: Conversations on Data Visualization”
Curator Richard Siegesmund moderates a discussion with Michael Papka, professor of Computer Science and Joe Insley, assistant p
5:05-6 p.m., Altgeld 125
Sunday, April 14
“Spreading Ideas about DATA”
Richard Siegesmund, Professor of Art Education & Design and Stuart W. Henn, Museum Education Coordinator examine several data-related TED Talks and other recorded presentations.
1-3 p.m., Altgeld 125
Tuesday, April 16
“Floating Data”
Artist’s Talk, Stephen Cartwright, associate professor, School of Art and Design, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
5:05-6 p.m., Altgeld 125
Thursday, May 2
“When Data has a Personality: Chatbots and Robots”
Emeritus professor of history, Stephen Haliczer explores the actual and potential expression of
5:05-6 p.m., Altgeld 125
Saturday, May 4
Open for ARTIGRAS!
3-7 p.m.
Thursday, May 9 at 6 p.m.
Friday, May 10 at 12:10 p.m.
“DATA: What Really Counts?”
Featuring dance students of NIU School of Theatre and Dance, students respond to and interpret artwork in the gallery through performance.
Art Museum galleries
The exhibiting artists are: Christopher Baker, School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC); Michael Banicki, Chicago (NIU alumnus); Courtney Barr, Louisiana State University; Stephen Cartwright, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign;
Parking is available in the Visitor Pay Lot located at 200 Carroll Ave. Limited metered and accessible parking spaces are available in front of Lowden Hall with accessible aisles and route to Altgeld. Campus parking is free on weekends and after 5 p.m. weeknights.
To request disability-related accommodations for museum programs, please contact the museum one week in advance.
The exhibitions and programs of the NIU Art Museum are sponsored in part by the Illinois Arts Council Agency; the Friends of the NIU Art Museum; and the College of Visual and Performing Arts’ Season Presenting Sponsor Shaw Media.
All events are free unless otherwise noted. Programs are subject to change. Please check our website for additions and updates. For questions please phone 815-753-1936.
