River of technology flows through Renshaw Gallery
 
The largest fax art show in history opened in Renshaw Gallery on Monday. So far 104 fax artists from 19 different countries on five different continents are represented. McMinnville artist Lilian Bell organized the event. She has been an artist for 25 years and became involved with fax art in 1990. "I was interested in the idea of telecommunication systems being used as an art media", Bell said. Enter the River Technology is the theme of the show. Bell wanted it to represent the Northwest. However, the idea can be related to the show in other ways. "The idea is of the stream of consciousness or the fact that water embodies and connects all the continents", Angie Kim, a senior art and literature major, said. A 40-page mural from France is the first piece seen when entering the gallery. The title is "White Black River of Esmerelda". The pages were faxed in from France, but the first word in the title is Spanish. Even without a name, most artists are anonymous because they are never seen or heard. "Language is a bit of a barrier, but we've figured it out", Bell said. The pages of larger faxes are put together according to pictures sent of the compieted image. Bell did not talk to any of the artists. The art show has several interactive pieces. One of these is called Downstream Transmissions. The idea was developed by Bruce Breland, one of the pioneers in the development of telecommunication art. A single image is being faxed to artists. Once received it can be manipulated into an image of the artist's own. Then it is faxed back to Linfield. It is being added to a chain of faxes. Breland is hoping the river will be composed of 100 pages. People who visit the gallery are encouraged to add their own page to the river. A stack of the single image can be found next to the fax machine along with scissors and glue. Visitors can fax their own creation to Linfield and it will be added to the river. "The exhibit is continually growing", Kirn, who helped Bell with the show, said. Artist Roy Ascott described fax art as "more like a conversation than a monologue." Several artists contributed to the projects rather than one solo artist. The art show will be in Renshaw until the end of the month.
 
Linfield College McMinnville, Oregon VOL C No. 5
By Amanda Griffin - The Linfield Review

October 7, 1994