LEO VILLAREAL

November 3 – December 22, 2006

Conner Contemporary Art presents Origin, a new digital light sculpture by media artist Leo Villareal.

To create this new work, Villareal integrated physicist Issac Newton's Laws of Motion into his own computer code, augmenting his earlier explorations of rule-based cellular automata programs that were inspired by mathematician John Conway's Game of Life. By applying principles of physics, the artist has increased the complexity of his simulated worlds. As the elements move within the large matrix of white LED's (light emitting diodes),Villareal's encompassing patterns evoke stars swirling in space and at other passages biological interactions deep within the body. Lively interactions between objects in Orign's matrix generate visual stimuli pulsing with energy suggestive of specific behavior and personality.

"I am very inspired essential questions like 'How does life begin?' Villareal explains, referencing both studies in the birth of the universe as well as cellular processes such as fertilization and cell division in his patterning. "I liked the minimal feel of my last show Horizon, here in 2004, yet the experience of the new piece will be like seeing a very zoomed up view of my worlds. Origin's scale within the gallery will create a sense of immersion, like being in a giant microscope or scientific instrument," comments the artist on the relationship of the new work to his earlier installation.

Conner Contemporary Art is located at 1730 Connecticut Ave., NW, 2nd Floor, Washington, DC 20009. Hours: Tuesday - Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm and by appointment. For further information and visuals contact Leigh Conner or Karyn Miller at 202-588-8750 or info@connercontemporary.com