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Charles A. Csuri: 
Beyond Boundaries, 1963 – present

Retrospective on Work of Charles A. Csuri to be
Highlight of
Summer Expo in Boston

The groundbreaking works of computer graphics pioneer Charles A. Csuri, professor emeritus at The Ohio State University, will be featured in a retrospective exhibition at SIGGRAPH 2006, the 33rd international conference on computer graphics and interactive techniques. The conference will be held from July 30-August 3 at the Boston Convention & Exposition Center in Boston, according to an announcement from ACM SIGGRAPH, the leading professional society for computer graphics and interactive techniques and sponsor of SIGGRAPH 2006.

The SIGGRAPH 2006 Art Gallery will showcase Csuri’s artwork from 1963 to the present, marking the first time his computer art will be presented as an extensive body of work.  “This is a monumental event for the computer graphics industry because it pays tribute to one of its pioneers,” says Maria Palazzi, director of the Advanced Computing Center for the Arts and Design (ACCAD) at Ohio State.

Adds Bonnie Mitchell, SIGGRAPH 2006 Art Gallery chair from Bowling Green State University, “Charles Csuri’s achievements have had an immense influence on the computer graphics industry as well as thousands of artists worldwide. The magnitude of his work is beyond words.”

Beyond Boundaries will be exhibited in the SIGGRAPH Art Gallery along with digital artworks from around the globe. The diverse array of works explores new territories, crosses traditional boundaries and uses digital technology in innovative ways. The Csuri exhibition and exhibition catalog are generously supported by Dr. and Mrs. Gabe Campbell, Pixar Animation Studios, Dreamworks Animation SKG, the Advanced Computing Center for the Arts and Design, ACM SIGGRAPH, Daniel M. Slane, DPI (San Francisco), Fastframe (Columbus), Jeffery Katzenberg, OSU Department of Athletics, OSU College of the Arts, OSU Office of the President and OSU Office of Academic Affairs. The catalog includes essays and commentaries on Csuri’s work, and the catalog was edited by Janice M. Glowski.

charles a. csuriCharles Csuri—professor emeritus, artist and computer graphics pioneer—integrated the fields of art and science in 1964.  He experimented with computer graphics technology and in 1965 began creating computer animated films, winning the animation prize for his computer film Hummingbird at the 4th International Experimental Film Festival in Brussels in 1967.  In 1968, Hummingbird was purchased by the Museum of Modern Art, NY, and now resides in their permanent collection.  In addition, Ars Electronica, Europe’s most prominent digital art event held in Austria, awarded him major prizes for his works Mask of Fear (1990) and Gossip (1991).

cover of smithsonian magazineCsuri’s work has been featured on the cover of Smithsonian Magazine, and he has been honored with the 2000 Governor’s Award for Individual Artist in the State of Ohio and The Ohio State University’s highest honor, the Joseph Sullivant Medal.

Csuri's work has been included in more than 12 books dealing with computer art and digital media. The results of Csuri’s extensive research have been applied to flight simulators, computer-aided design, scientific visualization, magnetic resonance imaging, distance education and widely in special effects for the film industry. 

In 1971, Csuri’s research team of artists and engineers formed the Computer Graphics Research Group (CGRG), which developed the basis for OSU’s Advanced Computing Center for the Arts and Design (ACCAD).

ACCAD is known around the world for pioneering computer and visualization technology.  It is an interdisciplinary research center at The Ohio State University, fostering collaborative technology-related research experiences with visual and performing artists, computer scientists, engineers, designers and architects. ACCAD has a documented reputation for providing exceptional research and educational experiences for students who wish to pursue careers in the animation and graphics fields.  Graduates who have studied at ACCAD make a huge impact on the American film industry in special effects and computer graphics. Former students lent their talents to movies like Chronicles of Narnia, Ice Age 2 and the Madden NFL ’06 video game. Many alumni work at major studios like Disney, Dreamworks Animation and Pixar.

For more information about SIGGRAPH 2006 and the Csuri exhibition, go to the website http://www.siggraph.org/s2006

 

Charles A. Csuri Exhibition Catalog
Available at the Wexner Center Shop

hummingbird
Hummingbird II, 1969, Charles A. Csuri

Mask of Fear
Mask of Fear, 1989, Charles A. Csuri

wonderous spring
Wondrous Spring, 1992, Charles A. Csuri

political agenda
Political Agenda, 1999, Charles A. Csuri

glorious grass
Glorious Grass Frame 28, bush series, 2006, Charles A. Csuri