Hudson Valley artist Philippe Safire will discuss his most recent exhibition, “Transition” at Mount Saint Mary College’s CMA Gallery, on Thursday, February 16 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
The public is invited to attend this free event.
The talk will take place on campus in room 218 of the Kaplan Family Library and Learning Center. The college is located at 330 Powell Ave. Newburgh, N.Y.
For the “Transition” exhibition – currently on display in the CMA Gallery in the college’s Aquinas Hall – Safire created a set of new pieces made with color pencils and black paper cut-outs. The show also features an installation consisting of animation and video projection.
Safire uses pixel patterns as a visual metaphor to depict the pervasive influence of digital technologies in our everyday lives.
The artist often appropriates familiar symbols and pop culture iconography. In this current work, the artist carved replicas of the world atlas, the American flag, human silhouettes, and the “like” icon from social media apps.
“I seek to translate our fascination for the digital and its power to disrupt our society and culture,” he explained.
Safire’s other recent projects include SPELL, an award-winning short film that received international recognition, “CREATE,” a participatory exhibition, and “Nightcolors,” a public art installation in Beacon, N.Y. His art has been exhibited at LACDA, ArtsWestchester Gallery, REVERSE Gallery, BeaconArts, Garrison Art Center, New York University, and the Center for the Digital Arts, among others.
The CMA gallery was created in 2019 as a professional artist space to exhibit media picked by Mount faculty from among the rising population of artists who live and work in Newburgh, Beacon, and throughout the Hudson Valley.
The Mount’s CADM programs encompass the study of advertising and public relations, digital media production, graphic design, and journalism. CADM also offers minors in each of these disciplines, as well as in art and film studies. Housed in the Mount's Division of Arts and Letters, CADM programs prepare students for both traditional and emerging professions.