Philippe Safire’s Create, a participatory event, at The Center for Digital Arts Gallery of the Peekskill Extension Center

The Center for the Digital Arts Gallery of the Peekskill Extension of Westchester Community College is presenting the work of Philippe Safire on view from February 1 through April 27, 2022. The opening reception will be on February 15, 2022 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, the public is welcome. Among the earliest records of art making are handprints outlined in color on cavern walls created by people thirty thousand years ago. We might consider these early cave paintings the “new media art” of prehistoric times. Inspired by these pieces, Philippe Safire designed a digital version in the form of a custom application displayed on a multi-touch screen. If the viewer puts their hand on the screen, an animation of colored pixels encircles the fingers and palm. Once the hand is removed, the outline continues sparkling before disappearing. Safire invites the public to collaborate in generating unique artwork. As part of the series, the exhibition also includes a set of lenticular prints, projected animation, an internet installation and social media component. Conceived as a participatory event, CREATE features hand prints created by participants — to enjoy within and beyond the gallery space. The exhibition explores the creative process and the ephemeral quality of the digital medium.

Philippe Safire is a French-Armenian artist living and working in New York City. Recent projects include SPELL, an award-winning short film that received international recognition, and nightcolors, a public art installation in Beacon, New York. His art has been exhibited at LACDA, Arts Westchester Gallery, REVERSE Gallery, Beacon Arts, Garrison Art Center, New York University, and the Center for the Digital Arts, among other places. Recent commissions include Beacon Arts and Arts Westchester. Safire’s work has been featured in VICE Magazine + Intel’s The Creators Project, The Ascent, Faena Sphere, ArtSlant, BX200 The Bronx Visual Artist Database, Make: Magazine, Manifeste des Arts Immersifs, and the Brooklyn Art Project.

For more information about Philippe Safire, please visit http://philippe-safire.net/create or @philippesafirestudio on INSTAGRAM. You may also contact [email protected] or 914-606-7300 for opening reception information and viewing hours. For more information about The Center for the Digital Arts Gallery, please visit www.sunywcc.edu/peekskill.

Contact:  Dr. Sherry Mayo, Peekskill Extension, Westchester Community College
Phone:  914-606-7385
Email: [email protected]
#createcolors

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Since its founding in 1969, Westchester Community College Foundation (a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization) has raised funds to meet college and student needs not covered by public funds, distributing over $2 million in scholarships annually. Through its fundraising and programmatic activities, the Foundation supports the college’s efforts to provide access to quality education and skills for success.