A visiting artist who creates photorealistic computer-generated images will be giving a lecture today.
Craig Kalpakjian, who creates art that looks similar to photographs using computer programs, will be speaking at 7 p.m. tonight in Mitchell Auditorium.
Kalpakjian's lecture will focus on his work during the last 15 years, his influences and the technical aspects involved in creating his work, he said. The lecture also will feature slides and clips from videos that Kalpakjian created.
Students will ask about the technological side of his art, Kalpakjian said.
I love talking about my work.
Kalpakjian's visit is sponsored by the Clarence White Jr. Endowment Fund, which was set up to bring in visiting artists and lecturers. The fund is used specifically by the photography department to bring in artists and lecturers in the area of photography.
We bring in a couple of people a year. We try to bring in artists that we like and that we think are doing interesting things
said Jim Fike, the chair of Ohio University's photo department.
Kalpakjian said that his work blends elements of cinema and architecture with photography.
The effect of that blend is a unique body of work with images that are almost indistinguishable from real photographs. Kalpakjian's images include computer-generated images of buildings, hallways and dog feces.
I feel like I'm the only one doing what I'm doing Kalpakjian said.
In addition to giving a lecture, Kalpakjian will be meeting with graduate photography students to critique their work.
He said he finds it difficult to offer an opinion but easy to give ideas and suggestions about students' work.
The inspiration behind Kalpakjian's work is the humor of the absurd and pointless and the repetition of similar themes, like hallways and a trash can.
Kalpakjian said he uses architectural computer programs and graphic effects programs that are used in creating special effects for movies to put together his artwork.
He focuses on small details, such as lighting and textures, to make his work more realistic.
Among his influences, Kalpakjian lists filmmaker Stanley Kubrick and artist Ad Reinhart.
He said he was drawn to this type of technology-driven art because of the possibility of movement through an unreal space with a nonexistent camera.
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Craig Kalpakjian describes his art last night while drinking coffee at the Ohio University Inn. He will be giving a talk tonight at 7 p.m. in Mitchell Auditorium.
