Everyone is invited to experience a bold new perspective on the beauty of Hawaii through innovative digital artist Jean-Rene Leblanc, the artist-in-residence at Hawaii Volcanoes National for December.
Leblanc, a professor of fine arts at the University of Calgary in Alberta, Canada, incorporates infrared spectrum photography into his digital tableaux to “make the invisible visible.” He will be in the park from Friday through Jan. 4.
The artist will present an After Dark in the Park program, “Presentification: Making the Invisible Visible” at 7 p.m. Dec. 22 in the Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium. The event is free, but park entrance fees apply. Leblanc will share a series of images that explore the photographic act as an investigative process, and will share insight on the interrelation between his creative impulse and the creation of photographic artifacts.
Leblanc will also offer two public workshops limited to 10 people on consecutive Fridays, Dec. 11 and 18, at 11 a.m. Info/reservations: Laura Schuster, 985-6130, laura_c_schuster@nps.gov.
Hawaii has long been an inspiration to Leblanc, who was married on Hawaii Island and has done several Hawaii-based art projects.
“Hawaii is a powerful cultural and geographical place that is quite striking both visually and emotionally. As an artist, I love to connect with the people and places where I am working creatively and Hawaii has moved me by its visual and cultural beauty. Both the local residents and tourists who flock to experience the popular connotation of Hawaii as ‘Paradise’ may often miss some of the beautiful nuance. In my work and in these workshops, I hope to offer a fresh perspective for what the eye of habit might no longer see, and ideally, a different understanding,” Leblanc said.
Toward the end of his month-long residency, Leblanc will present a piece of his art to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
Originally from Montreal, Leblanc is the co-founder of the Sensorium Lab, a research group that focuses on technology that enhances and transforms kinesthetic perceptions. He was educated at Concordia University and the University of Windsor and has a doctorate in gender and technology from the Universite de Quebec, Montreal.