BlackRock Presents ‘Transcolorations’ Abstract Sculptures of How Computers Interpret Color

Using 3D printing and other digital technologies, a local Maryland artist creates a physical definition of digital photography.

Investigating the technologies that dictate how color is recorded, interpreted and output within the digital domain, Jon Malis creates a physical definition of digital photography in abstract sculptures using computer-controlled production methods.

The works presented in his solo exhibition, “Transcolorations,” translate the physicality of an ephemeral dataset into “tangible color” using 3D printing and other digital technologies to physically reproduce the shapes of how color is encoded. Concerned with how colors are stored and displayed, Malis equally considers the source of the raw data as well as how presentation and viewing perspectives can alter our relationship with data.

He holds an MFA in Film & Electronic Media from American University and a BA in Studio Art from George Washington University. A prior semifinalist for both the Sondheim and Trawick Prizes, he is an Assistant Professor of Photography at Loyola University in Baltimore, MD and maintains his studio practice in both Baltimore and Washington, DC.

BlackRock Center for the Arts presents the solo exhibition Jon Malis: “Transcolorations” in the Kay Gallery from Saturday, July 21 through

Saturday, August 25. A Meet the Artists Reception will be held on Saturday, July 21 from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm where the artist will deliver brief remarks at 2:30 pm and will be present throughout the event to answer questions.

Malis will return to BlackRock to present an Artist Talk on Saturday, August 25 at 1:00 p.m. which will include tours of the exhibit. Both events are free and open to the public. Admission to the galleries at BlackRock is always free.

Captions:

Top: Jon Malis - Adobe RGB, ColorJet 3D Printed Plasterstone, 15 x 10 x 5 inches.

Next: Jon Malis - Imacon Flextight X5 (Default Perspective View), chromaluxe aluminum print, 46.5 x 50 inches.

Next: Jon Malis - SNAP 2007 (Specifications for Newspaper Art Production), ColorJet 3D Printed Plasterstone, 11 x 10 x 6.5 inches

Next: Jon Malis - CMYK - ISO Uncoated (top view), chromaluxe aluminum print, 48 x 56 inches

Images provided by the BlackRock Center for the Arts.