Upcoming Science Pub: '3-D Printing: Merging Antiquities and New Technology in Art Making'

April 06, 2018

By Amy Matzke-Fawcett

By combining 3-D printing and modeling, painting and sculptural elements, assistant professor of painting Alison Stinely explores personal mythologies and belief systems.

Stinely will discuss her combination of processes and art during the April 26 Science Pub, "3-D Printing: Merging Antiquity and New Technology in Art Making" at Bearded Bird Brewing in Norfolk.

During the event, Stinely will talk about how the incorporation of technology and three-dimensional forms have changed her artwork, allowing "the painted narrative to spill into the space of the viewer."

"Although the works are rather traditionally structured figurative paintings, it is both conventional material handling and digital automation that animate them," she said.

Stinely, who holds multiple degrees in painting, including an MFA from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, had not worked in 3-D printing until she arrived at ODU in 2016 as an assistant professor. There, she was exposed to the art department's Makerbot Z18 and was inspired to create new types of work.

"I have since studied and incorporated the methods necessary to generate objects that accompany and accentuate my painted works," she said.

Although 3-D printing may seem like a stretch from painting, understanding processes is key to both, Stinely said.

"My father is an artist so I have been exposed to the visual arts my entire life," she said. "My mother is a nurse and although she made her best efforts to sway me to study medicine, my father won out. I was never very good at chemistry. Nonetheless, the materiality of my works demand something of an understanding of various chemical processes."

Science Pubs is an opportunity for the community to engage with ODU researchers in an informal setting. Previous Pubs this school year have included small business entrepreneurship, green infrastructure and flooding, mental health and the military, cybersecurity, highway tolling and "lightning talks" with graduate students.

Networking begins at 6 p.m., followed by trivia and the discussion at 6:30 p.m. The Bearded Bird is located at 727 Granby St., Norfolk. The first 20 participants to arrive receive a free beverage ticket.

Connect with Science Pubs online to RSVP, and follow along on Facebook and Twitter for updates on upcoming events, contests and to give input on the 2018-19 lineup. RSVPs are highly recommended.