Wodzianski, Yellow Arrows and Wodcasting

Four words every artist dreads to hear: "I don’t get it."

Andrew Wodzianski (a DC artist and Assistant Professor at the College of Southern Maryland) hopes that he can eliminate these words with Lucha Libre!, his second solo exhibition at our Georgetown Fraser Gallery.

How?

Throughout the duration of the thirteen painting exhibit (Oct. 21 – Nov. 16, 2005), Wodzianski is implementing new technology that allows his viewers unique opportunities to interact with, and respond to, the artist and his artwork. This new hi-tech approach includes the use of podcasts, cell phones, and other wireless devices for would-be critics to leave their own commentary.

Podcasts and cell phones in an art gallery?

"Art is essentially a form of communication – and at no time in human history has technology allowed for such an immersive and intelligent participation in the communication between art, artist, and audience," says Wodzianski. To underscore that point, he is preparing a podcast – an audio commentary meant to be played on an MP3 player or computer – that will be available for download before the show’s opening reception this coming Friday Oct. 21, 2005 from 6-9PM.

Think of this as an audio tour among the artwork, from the artist himself.

Wodzianski’s podcast (make that - Wodcast!) will help listeners decipher the story behind the largely narrative paintings, explain techniques, and reveal inspirations. MP3 players preloaded with the Wodcast will be available at the reception, and attendees with their own player can download the file onsite during the opening reception.

Furthermore, as part of the exhibition, Wodzianski is inviting gallery attendees to provide their own commentary. Wodzianski and associates have developed a free service for anyone with a cellular phone to call and record their own podcast, describing their thoughts and feelings the work is evoking. These recordings will be published immediately at the Wodcast website (wodcast.blogspot.com), allowing participants to share their critiques with those in attendance or absent.

Visitors to the show who would not be not listening to podcasts can still interact with the artist’s work through Yellow Arrows.

What is/are Yellow Arrows?

Yellow Arrow is a new concept in mobile interactivity. When a Yellow Arrow placard is found pointing to a painting, a cellular phone user can send a text message to a provided number, and discover comments left by previous viewers. Texters can also leave their own message; opinions about the artwork – or maybe the artist himself.

Will this be an exercise in popular culture invading the traditional appreciation of art, or a sign of the natural evolution in the field? The artist, for one, believes it will be the latter.

"With the advent of these new tools, artists can interact with viewers using sound, text and visuals that would otherwise be impossible outside a museum setting," says Wodzianski. "It narrows the gap between the art elite, and the casual gallery visitor. Everyone has an opinion, and throughout this exhibit, each opinion is equally represented. And frankly, it’s a lot of fun."


The show opens this Friday at Fraser Gallery Georgetown with a catered opening reception from 6-9PM. The exhibition and concept will then travel to Old Dominion University in Norfolk.

See ya there!