Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

From Robots to Hands: Five Exhibits to See at Tonight’s Gallery Crawl

Four evenings a year, Pittsburghers can stroll through the Cultural District and pop into any art gallery for free to see a showcase of exhibits.

Each gallery crawl is different, and tonight’s features a North American premiere, a 3-D printing exhibit from a group of Penn State students and one last chance to see a robotic exhibition.

At Wood Street Galleries, "crawlers" can view North American premiere installations, Edwin van der Heide’s “Evolving Spark Network” and Alexandre Burton’s “Impacts,” in an exhibition called “Electrified.”

“The viewer actually amplifies electricity live in the gallery,” gallery curator Murray Horne said. “In one case, there are a couple of tesla coils, and as you walk towards them, they spurt out and spray electricity.”

Penn State School of Visual Arts students made art of their hands, and it will be on display for the first time tonight at 709 Penn Gallery. “Digital Hand” is an exhibit that utilizes different visual design techniques to bring images on a computer screen to life.

“They are using this process called digital fabrication and some 3D printing and things of different hands,” said Darcy Kucenic, manager of education and operations for the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. “They’re using their own hands to make different images.”

Students from Pittsburgh Public Schools will get a chance to showcase their art and music talents in the All-City Showcase of Arts & Cultures at the Trust Arts Education Center.

“There will be music and performances, as well as two floors of a visual arts exhibit from all students K-12 from the best of the best in the Pittsburgh Public Schools,” Kucenic said.

Gallery crawlers might feel like they are in a grocery store at local artist Tom Sarver’s latest interactive exhibition, “The Occasional Market.” Visitors can purchase artwork in a grocery-like simulation at 707 Penn Gallery, as Sarver plays records, performs puppet shows and sells his items.

Tonight is the last time art-enthusiasts can see Toby Fraley’s “The Secret Life of Robots,” featuring a dozen scenes of robots in everyday scenarios.

“Everyone can find some joy in seeing the different robots,” Kucenic said.

Patrons can gallery crawl from 5:30 to 9 p.m. , and may begin at any location.