Photo: Charli Brissey.
Application deadline: January 15, 2014
VCU School of the Arts
1000 W Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23284
The MFA in Fine Arts/Kinetic Imaging is not your traditional ‘moving image’ program, hence the slightly different name. Kinetic Imaging offers an environment for the artist who wishes to pursue a studio practice in moving image and/or sound, and whose direction may not fit traditional film, animation, digital media or media studies programs. We encompass video arts, experimental animation, sonic arts and all the various manifestations and hybrids that these suggest. Exploration and collaboration is encouraged. A theoretical base is developed as students investigate and examine culture and society, and develop their voice as an active participant in contemporary media.
The diversity of work supported is evident in the graduate gallery. We limit our program to no more than eight students to ensure access to faculty and visiting artists, as well as providing individual space to work. In selecting students we consider diverse perspective and practices to create a dynamic community and encourage collaboration. These practices have included music composition, dance, animation, and interactive media. Work is installed, performed, projected and/or distributed online.
Individual meetings with visiting artists and instructors across various disciplines support the studio experience. Past visiting artists include Eder Santos, Christiane Paul, John Simon, Jr., Steve Roden, Kathy Rose, Paul DeMarinis, Vito Acconci and more. Student success is measured in intensive critique sessions as well as by their participation in the global arena. Past students have had work included in venues such as “ISEA 2011″ in Istanbul, James Cook University’s eMerge Media Space in Australia, and at the National Sculpture Factory in Cork, Ireland.
Faculty in the department also bring diverse and distinguished expertise to the program. Stephen Vitiello is a world-renowned sound artist, whose A Bell for Every Minute, created for New York’s High Line, was recently included in Soundings at MoMA. Professor Vitiello is a 2011 Guggenheim Fellow.
Orla McHardy is an animation artist whose work is exhibited internationally. She brings a keen awareness of the evolving and broad role that animation plays in art and media. Semi Ryu’s expertise is in virtual worlds and virtual puppets and her work has been performed internationally. Bob Paris brings a socially engaged perspective to the department, working in documentary forms, from video installation to online media formats. Bob Kaputof is a widely exhibited video artist working with personal narratives that take the form of poetic short pieces. Pamela Turner is a media artist whose work includes experimental animation and new media studies.
Virginia Commonwealth University is a large urban university situated in the center of Richmond, Virginia. Its School of the Arts is the #1 ranked public art school. There is a vibrant downtown art and music scene, with many opportunities to participate. The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, within walking distance of the campus, is a world-class art museum. The Smithsonian museums are a little over an hour’s drive away, with easy access by train as well.
The Kinetic Imaging MFA is a studio-based, fine art program initiated in the fall of 2007. It is a two-year curriculum of 60 academic credits and is designed to support four to eight graduate students.
Deadlines for applications are January 15, 2014, with fall semester admissions only. Portfolio requirements are posted at arts.vcu.edu/admissions/how-to-apply/graduate.
Please visit arts.vcu.edu/kineticimaging.
