"More than once I have been impressed by how this relatively small museum has been open to expanding the boundaries of ‘museum-accepted' art." --Anonymous visitor

What began as a small exhibition about technology in art turned into "Engaging Technology: A History and Future of Intermedia."  This interactive exhibition, developed by guest curator John Fillwalk, resulted in new and renewed interest in the Ball State University Museum of Art as it celebrated its 70^th year on the Ball State University campus.

"From 2005 to 2006, the Museum of Art welcomed 34% more visitors.  Similar numbers were experienced over the November 16, 2006, and March 11, 2007 exhibition run as staff saw visitors return, often with friends in tow," said Tania Said Schuler, the museum's curator of education and exhibition project manager.   "Our diverse audience of adults, schools, and families found it thoroughly engaging."  One visitor noted on a survey,   "They have exceptional collections, exhibitions and programs.  I did not expect the extensive and varied collection of art that can be found there."

Fillwalk, director of the Institute for Digital Intermedia Arts and Animation (IDIAA), intentionally included appealing works of art.  "Sometimes technology can be intimidating, but here everyone is invited to participate," he said.  "I was looking for works that are inviting and humorous and works that engage people at every level."

Especially popular works were Adam Brown and Andrew Fagg's "Bion," a major installation, which hung overhead in the sculpture court, and Golan Levin and Zachary Lieberman's "Messa di Voce," which was the exhibition's most interactive piece, appealing to all ages.  Other artists included were Richard Bloes, Hans Breder, Gary Hill, Jenny Holzer, Nam June Paik, and Alan Rath.  An interactive timeline was developed by IDIAA faculty fellow Jesse Allison with many others using the services of the Institute for Digital Fabrication and Rapid Prototyping.  This and other educational material helped elaborate on the nature of intermedia, a concept describing the blending of art forms to present new kinds of art. 

Other work by Breder and Holzer remains in the Ball State University Museum of Art collection.  The acquisition of nine mini LEDs (light emitting diodes) representing a survey of Holzer's texts from 1977 to 1996 was the genesis of the exhibition.  They were installed in the Brown Study Room and contributed to the ideas of the exhibition.  A Minimalist sculpture by Breder called "Ordered by Telephone," 1969, is on view in the North Galleries.

Based on current visitation to the Museum of Art, attendance continues to climb.   With the success of "Engaging Technology," the Museum of Art anticipates working with other academic departments to expand the interpretation of the collection and appeal to more visitors.