School of Visual Arts (SVA) presents “Monitor, headphones, projector, shelf, ping pong table, live fungi, bite-size fairies,” an exhibition of select thesis projects by more than 20 students from the MFA Computer Arts class of 2024, curated by co-director at Beta Local Pablo Guardiola and senior systems administrator for the department José Vargas.

A table will always remain a table, just as one might argue about a projector, a shelf, a ping pong table, or even design software. Yet, what truly matters is how they are utilized. A table may simply support an object, such as your lunch, which is certainly practical, but it also holds the potential to become a stage for magic.

“Monitor, headphones, projector, shelf, ping pong table, live fungi, bite-size fairies” exemplifies the art of transcending mere utility with these objects. The showcased projects serve as compelling evidence of tools harnessed to convey significant content. Within this exhibition, myriad approaches to narrative, design, research, and installation converge, offering the viewer a wide range of art projects under the category of computer arts. Like all exceptional art, these works operate according to their internal logic; they are more than just technical demonstrations, they possess a distinct power and autonomy.

Jessica Reisch’s Fruiting Bodies utilizes the familiar mushroom to explore the vast and largely invisible networked relationships in the natural world. Shengnan Dong and Michael Dondero’s Nostril look at the things people put up with for love, highlighting relationship struggles with a light-hearted tone. Yinjie Liu, Yi Yao, and Yuqi Gong present Heartbeats, a 3D-animated short film about a young boy named August whose dreams of being a cool drummer shift as he grows older.

The SVA Chelsea Gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, and Mondays by appointment. It is fully accessible by wheelchair.

The MFA Computer Arts program at SVA emphasizes creative experimentation and a multidisciplinary approach to making art with computers and emerging technologies. Dedicated to producing digital artists of the highest caliber, the department guides each student in developing a personal artistic style in a course of study that is individually tailored to meet their needs. Students come from around the world to study in this two-year degree program, which has distinguished itself with nine Student Academy Awards. For more information, visit the website.

School of Visual Arts has been a leader in the education of artists, designers, and creative professionals for seven decades. With a faculty of distinguished working professionals, a dynamic curriculum, and an emphasis on critical thinking, SVA is a catalyst for innovation and social responsibility. SVA also represents one of the most influential artistic communities in the world, comprising 7,000 students at its Manhattan campus and more than 41,000 alumni from 128 countries. For information about the College’s 31 undergraduate and graduate degree programs, visit the website.

Time: 6:00-8:00 pm EST

Free!

Registration