Think light is limiting? Think again.
The art exhibition \Light as a Medium,"" on display this weekend at the Stock Pavilion, will showcase a variety of works similar in only one condition: light.
Beyond that everything will be a surprise, according to Steve Feren, UW art professor and event organizer.
""There's all kinds of projections, holograms, lasers."" Feren said. ""In the past people have used candle power, incandescent lights, Neon fiber optics. Pretty much every light source you can come up with.""
With such a wide variety of forms, its no wonder the event draws more than 4,000 people in the course of two days. The exhibition, started in 1988, has grown over the years into the nation's largest light exhibition. It gives artists a chance to display an often overlooked medium.
UW is one of only a few colleges that teach light and neon works, according to special student Susie Silbert.
""I saw the show, and I was like 'This is what I want to do. I want to be in the show,'"" Silbert said. ""Then the next year I was in North Carolina. I knew it was coming up this year, and I didn't want to miss it again.""
This year, Silbert gets her wish-one of her pieces will be displayed this weekend.
Art students aren't the only ones excited about ""Light as a Medium."" According to Feren everyone-students, children, the community-will enjoy the show.
""I think its a lot more fun, a lot more interactive. Just based on the fact it's at night, it's a much bigger show,"" Silbert said. ""We're pretty unassuming so no one should be intimidated of coming.""
There will also be a student sale of blown glass and neon works and a raffle. Prizes range from fine art produced by professors and professionals to gifts from local businesses. The profits go to supporting the visiting art program.
But ""Light as a Medium"" promises to be different than your usual champagne and hors d'oeuvres art house showing.
""It is a national show, so that brings it up to another category. It's probably a little more like a festival atmosphere,"" Silbert said. ""It's definitely not going to be a quiet gallery show.\
