Recent inflatable works involve intricate geometric shapes sewn from used sail fabric, encased in handcrafted wooden frames, animated by fans and motion sensors and micro-computers. “I don’t try to hide the elements. For the inflatables, I keep the fans and the electrical and the components open and exposed.” The pieces might inflate or deflate, based on the crowd viewing them. Some encourage the viewers to touch them and transform them according to their whim. “I’m very much into materials and into the interaction.” Benefiel explains, “A lot of the work I do is not really performance art, but it’s perfomative in nature.” Benefiel, assistant professor of art and coordinator of the sculpture program at Shepherd University, is passionate about encouraging his students to explore many types of materials, processes and technologies, so they’ll never feel intimidated or limited. Admitting that some processes can be dangerous,
Benefiel is careful to show students how to do it properly — “wiring, building a blow torch, everything from rudimentary woodworking up through computer programming. Empowerment is important.” On the technology front, Benefiel himself is unafraid to explore new applications. He sees himself as neither a “digital immigrant” nor a “digital native,” having access to technology as a child, but also u
Top Left Although he has branched out into many types of materials, Christian Benefiel’s tattoo is testament to his first love, metal sculpture. Bottom Left Hatchet Job, wood, sailcloth, automated blower unit, 100 x 100 x 100 cm. Below Push, Pull, mixed media, nylon, cast iron, blower unit. Video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNkm0JnV.
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