Grant to fund interactive, sculptural ‘art machine’

By Madison Rosenbaum, WSU Tri-Cities communications intern

Creston-80RICHLAND, Wash. – Sena Clara Creston has received a grant from the state nonprofit Artist Trust to construct an “art machine” entitled “The Umbrella Ship.”

“The sculpture will provide the audience with the constructed reality and physical sensation of a childlike dreamscape,” said Creston, clinical assistant professor in digital technology and culture and fine arts at Washington State University Tri-Cities.

Umbrellaship-drawing-350
Artist’s drawing of “The Umbrella Ship.”

The interactive installation will be a three-wheeled art machine propelled by wind hitting a large umbrella. The vehicle will transition from a bed to ship to bicycle and will be constructed from repurposed materials.

Creston uses a combination of new and obsolete technology to construct electronic, kinetic and interactive sculptures and installations. Her work focuses on the impact that materials, movement and interaction have on the viewer’s experience.

“As a young artist and educator, Creston brings to the department a high degree of interest with collaborative, interdisciplinary approaches,” said Thom Brown, department chair of fine arts.

Artist Trust has invested over $10 million in grants, awards and residencies and career training to thousands of artists since 1987.

Learn more about WSU Tri-Cities and its commitment to dynamic student engagement, dynamic research experiences and dynamic community engagement at http://tricity.wsu.edu.

 

Contacts:
Sena Clara Creston, WSU Tri-Cities digital technology & culture and fine arts, 509-372-7419, sc.creston@tricity.wsu.edu
Madison Rosenbaum, WSU Tri-Cities marketing and communications student intern, 509-372-7333, madison.rosenbaum@email.wsu.edu