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02.04.08

Contact: Sally A. Corbett, Director of Communications, Emory College Center for Creativity and Arts, sacorbe@emory.edu, 404-727-6678

Note: The installation process is almost complete, and may be filmed (please call to arrange a shoot). VNR available Feb. 15. Hi-res JPGs available now.  

Atlanta-based Artist William Brown Proposes Sculptures for Washington D.C. Aimed at “Improving the Intelligence of Politicians”
Exhibition Dates: Feb. 7-Mar. 7, 2008

Emory University art professor William Brown is proposing that a series of large-scale sculptures be built in Washington D.C. for the purpose of, “improving the intelligence of politicians,” he says, and more specifically “creating an environment that will encourage politicians to consider innovative ‘Big Science’ solutions to the energy crisis.”

An exhibition of Brown’s work, including the sculpture proposals and a three-dimensional sculptural prototype opens Feb. 7 in the Emory Visual Arts Gallery, 700 Peavine Creek Drive, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322. The public openingreception with artist’s gallery talk is Feb. 7, 5:30-7:30 p.m. The exhibition is on view Feb. 7-Mar. 7, 2008. A YouTube preview can be viewed online at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzjPkL-31ek and exhibition information can be found at http://visualarts.emory.edu/events/index.html#williamabrown. The public may call 404-727-5050 or go online to www.arts.emory.edu for gallery directions and parking. Gallery hours are Mon.-Fri., 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.; Sat., noon-4:00 p.m., and by appointment; closed on holidays.

Brown’s work was inspired by reading about the Manhattan Project, the World War II governmental effort that led to the development of nuclear weapons. He believes we need the same kind of government-science effort to develop clean and affordable energy. “No matter how much the politicians spin the reasons we are in Iraq, it’s about securing oil,” claims Brown. “Creating clean and efficient energy is a less daunting task than building an A-Bomb from scratch. We have the scientific talent and resources to do it, we just don’t have politicians willing to think outside of the military toy box,” says Brown.

Just how are giant sculptures going to enlighten the political class? Brown’s idea was inspired by the famous Iwo Jima Memorial in Washington. “Its power comes from the fact it was a real event that was photographed and seen around the world,” according to the artist. Brown is proposing that photographs from the Manhattan Project be made into sculptures and placed strategically around the nation’s capital. Brown hopes the works will serve as a reminder, like the Iwo Jima sculpture, of a heroic achievement of the past. The Manhattan Project generated thousands of fascinating images, like the photo of a just ignited atomic explosion recorded at one ten billionth of a second. Brown is proposing putting a three dimensional version of this image in front of the Lincoln Memorial.

Brown is proposing nine sculptures in all. “Politicians need an environment that reinforces the idea that a solution to the energy crisis will not be found in endless war, torture and the nullification of the Bill of Rights. We have options, we don’t have to be stupid about this. Why do I call the current war in Iraq stupid? Because, moral judgments aside, it’s less than brilliant to spend more money on a war in Iraq than we spent on the Manhattan Project, and get so little in return. What ever happen to American ingenuity,” asserts Brown.

A major thrust of the mission of Emory’s Visual Arts Gallery is to present innovative contemporary art that stimulates dialogue about challenging subjects. While a forum for scholarly discourse is provided in the interest of intellectual freedom, opinions expressed by Emory artists and scholars are not necessarily the opinions of the University.

William A. Brown holds a B.A. from Emory University, 1969, and a M.F.A. from the University of Florida, 1975. He has been producing experimental and arts related documentary films since 1976. He was one of the original founders of Atlanta’s IMAGE Film and Video Center and Nexus Contemporary Arts Center (now known as the Atlanta Contemporary Art Center). He helped initiate the Visual Arts Program at Emory University where he continues to teach courses. His documentary, “Apocalypse Then” aired nationally on the A & E Network in 1987 and won a regional Emmy. Brown has shown at major film festivals, including the Tokyo Video Festival, the United States Film Festival, The World Wide Video Festival (The Hague), and the Oberhausen Film Festival. Brown also writes articles on emerging media technologies and is president of Atlanta Video, Inc.

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