"Ephemeral Days" from Artists For Humanity
March 6–April 15, 2022
About the artwork:
This digital art installation grew out of a collaboration by Stephen Cronin, Director of Artists For Humanity’s Creative Technology Studio, and Kitauna Parker, AFH Alumna Artist in Residence. In the installation, Cronin reimagines Parker’s poetry and paintings to generate a new, responsive art piece harnessing live weather data and the power of creative coding—reflecting the impermanence of our days. “This work is a generative art piece made in TouchDesigner,” says Cronin. “The piece uses live weather data to control certain parameters. It adapts to the temperature, wind, and time of day to generate new variations throughout the month. “Ephemeral Days is The Sidewalk’s first exhibition of generative art, which involves the use of an autonomous system.
CREATIVE DEVELOPER STEPHEN CRONIN
Formerly a teen designer of Artists For Humanity’s Graphic Design Studio, Stephen is now AFH’s Director of Creative Technology. He began at AFH hungry for entrepreneurship and went on to become a full time developer at one of the most cutting edge web design and development firms in New York City. Using his experience as a professional developer, he began working as a generative artist, creating projections for DJs’ live events. With this knowledge and inspiration, he returned to AFH to integrate technology into AFH’s ever expanding model of art and design. As Director of Creative Technology, Stephen guides teens through using technology to express creativity in the forms of games, interactive art installations, and websites. His growing expertise in TouchDesigner led him to create the generative art piece seen here.
ARTIST KITAUNA PARKER
Creating has made such a positive impact on Kitauna’s lifestyle. It has opened many new unseen possibilities and has started many new connections. Painting has inspired Kitauna to become certified in teaching asana and yin yoga, as well as studying Mixed Martial Arts, because in these forms of art - one can experience growth, dedication, and appreciation.
“Growing up in the urban streets of Boston has sculpted my resilience empowering my voice to be as big as my art. As an artist, I celebrate the human connection with marks, color, shapes, and sometimes even language. From making an art club in grade-school to selling my first painting at 15, art has always been my still small voice, not only for me but for my community. My art is my freedom, it’s my way to fight back. With my art, I want to bring people together, connecting individuals from all different cultural backgrounds to share in the beauty of the same thing; The Human mark.”
“Fear Not” by Kitauna Parker, is the source painting for “Ephemeral Days” generative video project by Stephen Cronin.