Artificial Visions 2.2 Sculpture

There is a marvelous place between science and art; this is where Jennifer Boldt chooses to work. She finds inspiration by reading science journals, exploring topics spurred by personal events, and embracing her genuine curiosity for the world around her. She finds she feels most akin to artists who label themselves as interdisciplinary and work in many mediums. Her science and technology based works have included kinetic microcomputer sculptures, 3D abstract interpretations of ocular laser imagery, and explorations into the future of vision with weavings involving artificial retina data. Jennifer works in several mediums, but finds weaving, ceramics, and photography to be most satisfying. She also finds a majority of her work is 3 dimensional in delivery, as she likes for her pieces to occupy a certain visual mass to be considered from all angles. Currently, Jennifer explores the future of vision based on research in artificial retinas, which are being refined with clinical trials. She has taken imagery seen by patients with the implant and woven it into painted tapestry pieces. The imagery shows first things one would want to see if they had regained their vision with this implant. Her Artificial Vision work is a continuation of Human Topography, which addressed Jennifer’s own experiences with impaired vision through fiber sculptures based on ocular laser imagery of her own eyes. Jennifer learned to weave a decade ago and finds its balance between math and art gratifying and regularly returns to it. Jennifer is also exploring impaired vision through photography. Her photographic pieces capture ephemeral blurred visions of patients with artificial vision. Each image aims to preserve a moment in time when light and color came together in a curious way; they are an instant abstract painting and each one can be interpreted in many ways. Their composition is meant to hold one’s gaze for just a moment and consider the world around the impaired being. To achieve these fleeting moments, she adjusted her camera to seize the image in pre-production. The images are presented in book format to show their cohesive theme, to be held and quietly considered by the viewer, and to remain portable for future moments alone. The blurred images also reflect everyday and ordinary visions in an extraordinary world. Jennifer’s ceramic works are small representations of what she imagines as fabric gone rigid.