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Photo by L. Brian Stauffer

Moving picture show
Art and design professor Gerald Guthrie’s multiple-piece, computer-animated work “What Remains to be Seen” – commissioned for permanent display in the new National Center for Supercomputing Applications building on the UI’s north campus – might be described as 21st-century trompe l’oeil.
On first glance, the work – which features an LCD monitor display mounted in the wall within an ordinary wood picture frame – appears to be a visual recreation of the surrounding hallway. But those who linger for a longer look will observe an unfolding sequence of images guaranteed to provoke further reflection.

“The result is ‘a moving picture,’ much like a traditional work of art come to life,” Guthrie said. “The imagined episodes are meant to generate more questions than answers, but direct the experience toward the contemplation of everyday experience, as exemplified by common personal objects, typically out of place in a professional environment. The framed monitor and the subject matter play with the contrast of old and new technologies, yet ultimately address ‘timeless’ human thoughts and feelings.”
The first display – one of several units that will eventually be located throughout the building – was unveiled last week at an open house and building dedication. The UI artist said several pieces by other artists eventually will be installed for permanent exhibition.

Guthrie’s work is the result of a winning proposal submitted in a statewide competition sponsored by Illinois’ Capital Development Board, through its “Art-in-Architecture” program.