Statement
Our work analyzes, critiques and complicates the interconnections of self with ecology and science. The linking element between these discourses is energy transformation, as a physical and aesthetic matter, as well as an evolving conceptual force through which to address pressing urban and ecological issues. Our work explores energy as a resource, as a capitalized commodity, and as a way to understand contemporary landscape and ecology.
Equally important is the consideration of justice of light in creating energy harvesting, technocultural artifacts, engaging urban and civic spaces with site specific installations, and documenting our changing climate with ecological visualizations. Our practice responds to developing technologies, integrating creative software, data collection and analysis systems, digital fabrication, and embedded systems. Together we work with other visual artists, architects, composers, dancers, musicians, stage designers, scientists, and engineers to manifest new forms.
Recent sculptures and installations employ dynamic, real-time data as material substrate, and other major works explore sustainable kinetics as landscape, performance, and conduits for spiritual connection.
Bio
Jenn Figg and Matthew McCormack are collaborative, interdisciplinary artist-researchers investigating light energy and universal geometries. Our backgrounds are rooted in the material experiences and craft methodologies of textiles and glass. While we identify our creative heritage with the feminist fibers movement of the 1960’s and the American Studio Glass movement respectively, we draw directly from a myriad of inspirational sources beyond the arts field. Science and engineering are foundational. The imagery of deep space discoveries informs our visual choices. A kaleidoscope of possibilities from authors like Octavia Butler, Nnedi Okorafor, and Ben Okri nudge our imagination to extend to unknown systems of experiential framing. Dr. Figg holds a BFA in Textiles from the Rhode Island School of Design, an MFA from the University of California, and a Ph.D. in Media, Art and Text from the Virginia Commonwealth University. She is a Professor of Art at Towson University. McCormack holds an BFA from Ohio State University and an MFA from Towson University.
Selected exhibition venues include The Peale Museum, Johns Hopkins Eisenhower Library, Project4 Gallery, and the Arlington Art Center, the Dlectricity Festival, the Gund Gallery; The Print Center; the Toledo Museum of Art; the Phipps Conservatory; the National Museum of Glass, the Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Art House at the Jones Center. Selected residencies and awards include the Maryland State Art Council Artist Grant, the 2016 Centennial Acadia National Park Artist in Residence at the Schoodic Institute; the Toolmaker Residency at Signal Culture, the Mesaros Visiting Artist at Kenyon College, Accessibility 2009, the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council Artist Residency, and the MacDowell Colony Artist Residency. We have several works as permanent acquisitions / installations nationally.
