By Iris Sanchez
UHCLIDIAN STAFF

I anticipated this day for quite a while. It is not often that you get to follow a dream and see it in reality.

Many nights of cyber connection brought static to my attention in class. I drove my half-broken vehicle to Austin, on the day Hurricane Lili gave my classmates a day off from school, in search of an answer.

My guide, a trusty Yahoo map, provided endless possibilities as to where I might go. People can tell you things, and you can read books, but nothing is quite like being there.

My personal quest was to find a digital art museum, not just images posted online snazzed up by an HTML mastermind. Nor was I looking for a museum that, over the past few years, has held a single digital photography show.

My search was for an organization that is taking digital art to a whole new level, really focusing on different digital mediums and encouraging artists to embrace and display their work. AMODA, Austin's Museum of Digital Art, is that organization.

I did have my doubts; Web sites can be deceiving. Some sites boast great products, but are run by scam artists. I had concerns while driving to Austin-primarily about what kind of organization this museum really was. I had contacted several people; they all seemed fairly eager to help me, but that did not ease my mind. I just did not want to get there and realize this organization was not what I had anticipated.

After attending the art opening, I felt AMODA presented itself as a well thought out organization. A new art opening and the individuals who took part in it were the deciding factors.

After wandering aimlessly, I was escorted in and greeted by Harold Chaput, the president of AMODA. Once on the floor the pictures were intriguing. It was like being trapped in a sandstorm, sand clogging your nose and the back of your throat. I could barely breathe; it was beautiful.

The entry wall was lined with a four-part series entitled, "BEHOLDEN," by Reinheld Beuther. She flew in from the United Kingdom to participate in the opening. This series of her pieces is also displayed in Germany.

Panels are lined horizontally against the glass exterior of the building. The series ran from left to right. At first glance, it appeared to be the same person growing younger, however, they are seven separate people. In her description of the work, Beuther spoke about her fascination with sleep and dreaming, how it captures her interest that to be asleep one is almost dead.

There were three other artists who took part in this show.

From top to bottom: Two pieces of Reinheld Beuther's four-part series, Beuther's mother and father combined (left) and Beuther's in-laws combined (right); Sue De Beer's short film sequence "Making Out with Myself" is on the monitor.
photos by Iris Sanchez





"I had seen some of the photography in other places, but not really any digital work," said Elric De La Pena, a guest at the show. "I thought it was interesting. This show made me optimistic about going to other shows."

Displays were organized by the AMODA staff. Comprised of a volunteer staff, AMODA acknowledges being a "nomadic" institution. This organization is in the process of establishing a permanent digital museum, however, they do not let this hinder their future possibilities.

Because digital art is still in the process of being accepted as an art movement, its definition and boundaries are still in development, dependent on the organization or individual you ask.

AMODA defines the possible realms of digital art as anything that contains digital elements. Everything from assemblages, to digitally themed paintings, to electronic music, to manipulated photography.

"Our mission is to engage the public, educate the community and support artists in the creation, understanding and appreciation of digital art." The AMODA Web site states, "We envision the museum becoming a cornerstone of culture and education in the Austin community and becoming the world's foremost institution for digital art."

I went in search of this organization because they have an open art policy, meaning anyone can submit digital work with a fair chance of having a show with AMODA.

It is not often that you run into something like that; most organizations do not have open policies. To submit your work, log onto amoda.org, click on call for art; there are several different options available. Any information pertaining to this organization is listed on the Web site.

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