Artist: Daniel Hirschmann | Title: Engine 26
In
Partnership
The Whitney and AOL partnered with artist, Daniel Hirschmann to create a site specific, interactive artwork entitled "Engine 26". The piece was created specifically for the Whitney Gala 2010 and is the latest version of Engine - a generative painting artwork he has been exploring for the last 3 years. Inspired by painting and printmaking, Engine 26 uses live video and human interaction to trigger a range of digital brushes that literally paint movement on an LED 'canvas'. This artwork represents the blurring lines between the digital and physical and the evolution of traditional artistic media into new hybrids. The Whitney and AOL chose to partner with Daniel Hirschmann and the AOL artists community to create this generative, interactive piece of art that captures the energy, humanity and openness of the digital media world.
Q&A
What motivates you?
I find tremendous excitement in the process of production: coming up with the idea, physically building the solution, collaborating with others to realize the piece and then seeing it live! I also love knowing that my work can be engaging… People and their responses are the 'magic' of this kind of work. Their spontaneous reactions can be funny, crazy and at times quite emotional.
Any wise words of advice?
We are the masters of our own destinies. It may be a cliche but I truly believe that people can create whatever reality they want, even when things seem wholly against you.
Good topics for party talk?
How about this: What do you think might happen if you threw MacGyver into a 50' deep pit - with only lego, chewing gum, 5 toothpicks, a 50W solar panel and a microwave to help him get out… Discuss!
Favorite things to do when not creating?
Time with friends and family is at the top of the list. Next are yoga, cooking and super mindless movies. Yoga helps me to re-connect my brain to my body! Cooking can in itself be meditative and focused on only one thing: Happy Taste Buds! Mindless movies are brilliant to help turn off the brain entirely! I find that incredibly helpful when things get busy.
What would the ultimate job be?
To do something that I wont have to refer to as a job of course! Being an artist, being a maker and an educator. These are thing I love doing and somehow have to do.
What or whom inspires you?
My girlfriend/partner. Too many other artists, writers, curators, architects, film makers, friends and family members to list. Nature is also a huge inspiration to me. I love that one can reduce the complex structures and relationships found in nature down to very simple forms and principles.
