College of Fine Arts
From News Center
Unveiling of unique lightpainting will be Sept. 22 at Music Instruction Building (9/14/2006)

Lightpainting
Artist Stephen Knapp discusses the intricacies of his lightpainting, "First Symphony," with Patricia Schaefer, the benefactor of the artwork for the Music Instruction Building foyer. A public unveiling of the lightpainting will be at 8 p.m. Sept. 22.

Colored glass and light are combining to create a mammoth work of art in the foyer of Ball State's Music Instruction Building. The unique 23-by-40-foot 3-D lightpainting by artist Stephen Knapp will be unveiled at 8 p.m. Sept. 22. Knapp will attend the reception to discuss "First Symphony," the unique lightpainting he was commissioned to create for the space.

"From my perspective, this project adds significantly to the beauty and image of the music building, creating a brilliant chromatic display in a highly visible space," said Robert Kvam, dean of the College of Fine Arts. "Concertgoers and passersby will be the beneficiaries of this magnificent lightpainting."

Art critics have called Knapp's lightpaintings the first new art form of the 21st century. Some of his better-known, large-scale lightpaintings and glass sculptures include "Luminous Affirmations" in Tampa, Fla., and the "Crystal Quilt" in Lincoln, Neb.

After months of planning, Knapp constructed the lightpainting near his Worcester, Mass., studio. Once the lightpainting was tested, it was then dismantled, shipped and installed in MIB.

To view video of Knapp and his work, click here.

By Mardee Roberts, Update/News Center Editor