Page 83 - David Bermant Foundation

EXHIBITIONSp.U.l.s.E. 2 — santa barbara1990 ExhibitionExcerpt from catalog by Phyllis Plous, CuratorP.U.L.S.E. 2 marks a milestone both for the University Art Museum and the field of contemporary art as a whole. It constitutes a large-scale exhibition of light, sound, and energy sculpture that combines traditional gallery installations with site-responsive public art projects. A celebratory event, it is also the first collaboration between several major art institutions in the Santa Barbara area.Too often since the late 1960s, interactive sculpture has been lumped together under the rubric of “kinetic art” and dismissed as amusing, déjà vu gadgetry.Early in its organizational phase, David Bermant, a highly motivated, passionate collector of interactive sculpture, became an active supporter of the Museum’s endeavor.Second only to the artists in making this project possible is the diverse group of lenders. Particular gratitude goes to Mr. Bermant, founder, and James Seawright, president, of the David Bermant Foundation: Color, Light, Motion for their encouragement of this undertaking.This project has been an expensive and difficult undertaking. In funding P.U.L.S.E. 2, the David Bermant Foundation: Color, Light, Motion and the University Museum Council have demonstrated their belief in sculpture that uses developing technologies as a significant area of contemporary art, both within conventional gallery spaces as well as in the public domain. We are grateful to them.82P.u.l.s.e. 2 – santa BarBara