Gravity lanterns exhibition illuminates student art
The newly founded course for the School of Visual Arts hosts its first public gallery for student projects.
Blacksburg, VA. April 22 - Showcase: Line-up of student art projects at the Gravity Lanterns exhibit. Photo: Tucker Oakley
Written by Gabriel Philipsen & Tucker Oakley
April 22, 2022
On Friday, April 22, the Creativity and Innovation District [CID] hosted the first public Gravity Lanterns art exhibition. This exhibition displays the work of freshmen students in the Principles of 3D Art & Design course offered at Virginia Tech. The showcase held lanterns designed by the student's instructors in the workshop spaces of the CID building from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
“This is a new newly offered course, it's only been offered for two semesters now,” said Dustin Dennis, professor of the Principles of 3D Art & Design course. “So I think in the future there will be more freshmen incoming students that are in the class.”
The showcase’s lanterns were based on the theme of “gravity,” and the students were encouraged to tackle the theme in either literal or metaphorical ways. These interpretations of the theme included a massive space shuttle, a bottle of pills, and a crumbling statue. The lanterns were strung along a large portion of the workshop, while the students and instructors served pizza and soft drinks alongside the event.
Dennis expressed that the creative drive that he brings out in his class can be tied back to his years as a student, where his close friend group encouraged and supported each other. He hopes that the same support will be shared amongst his students.
These lanterns are artistic takes similar to sky lanterns, which were conceived over 2000 years ago in China and traditionally float through the use of hot air and flame. The gravity lanterns did not float, however, lightbulbs were strung through them to both illuminate and imitate the original inspiration. Bamboo sticks, craft paper, and hot glue were the primary materials available to the students when creating their lanterns.
“I really wanted the students to try and challenge themselves in work within the parameters of using the material,” Dennis said. “Working within the parameters can sometimes be really challenging, but it can help students figure out what the possibilities of the materials are and what the limitations of the materials are.”
While this was the first public event of its type, it is unclear if this will be a semesterly exhibition or if the subject will change into a new form of art.
Blacksburg, VA. April 22 - Created by Lucca Iacchetti. Photo: Tucker Oakley
Blacksburg, VA. April 22 - SOVA instructor for the 3D Principles of Art & Design course. Photo: Gabriel Philipsen
Blacksburg, VA. April 22 - Created by Mina Schubert. Photo: Tucker Oakley
Blacksburg, VA. April 22 - Created by Lucca Iacchetti. Photo: Tucker Oakley