Science, art fused in Lubeznik's 'Informatika'

Artist Peter Gray expects exhibit-goers to be dazzled by "Informatika," even if the science lessons they learned in school have become a little fuzzy over time.

"It sort of bridges between what people may have studied in school in genetics and biology to something that they can recognize in a form that's not scientific, so they're more comfortable with both the art and the science part," he said.

On display at Lubeznik Center's Brincka/Cross and Robert Saxton Galleries through March 11, "Informatika" is a joint exhibit between scientists/artists Gray and Andy Plioplys.

Based in Chicago, Gray received his doctorate degree in biomedicine from the University of Texas. His sculptures, mixed media and installation works, which are based on scientific theory, have been seen in proper galleries and museums as well as at a CTA stop and high traffic intersection on Chicago's north side.

Plioplys is a renowned neurologist and neuroscientist specializing in finding cures for cognitive disorders including autism and Alzheimer's disease. Over the course of the last three decades plus, Plioplys' two-dimensional and three-dimensional creations have been exhibited in galleries throughout the country.

Gray's central contribution to "Informatika" is a 9-foot-by-7-foot installation made up of approximately 1,500 individual pieces.

"They're sort of artistic interpretations of some of the processes normally found in genetics and cell division," Gray said of his "Informatika" contributions. "It's sort of what DNA sequencing looks like, so they can tie it to what they see on TV with 'CSI' kind of shows."

For "Informatika," Gray singled out a series of three-dimensional works created by Plioplys for praise.

"They're sculptures of brains with humorous interpretations of clichés, such as 'opening one's mind' and 'the Eureka moment," Gray said.

CarolAnn Brown, Lubeznik Center exhibitions curator, is grateful for the chance to bring Gray and Plioplys' works to the region.

"Viewers will have the rare opportunity to experience through the eyes of two scientists how they use their scientific investigations to interface and transform that information into their own artistic visual language or lab," Brown said.