KATHRYN EARNHART | The Butlers Visitors come to see the light

The very popular Beecher Center exhibition of "Kinetic Lightworks" by Boston artists Alejandro and Moira Sina continues to draw visitors to The Butler Institute of American Art in Youngstown.
As the exhibition nears the end of its run here, this display of neon light fills the Butler Beecher Center Gallery (on the museum's main level), delighting children and adults with its vibrant color and motion. The Butler's exhibition of "Kinetic Lightworks" is made possible by the Beecher Foundations.
According to Butler Director Dr. Louis Zona, "The popularity of the Sina exhibition is based upon the use of technology -- light -- which by its very nature is appealing. When these artists add motion to light, we have a virtual pyrotechnic display. Clearly, the Sinas are the best light artists in the world."
Using teamwork: Alejandro and Moira Sina have worked as a team since 1978. From Chile and the United States respectively, each bring talents to the collaborative process. Alejandro Sina was awarded a Fulbright fellowship in 1973 to work at the Center for Advanced Technology (MIT), in Cambridge, Mass., under directors Gyorgy Kepes and later Otto Plene. There he pioneered the use of high-frequency electronics and luminous gas phenomena as a media for his artistic expression. Mrs. Sina brings her background in architecture and design to complete the team known as A & amp;M Sina.
Electricity, glass and luminous gases are part of the palette they use to create ethereal kinetic works with light and color. These light-works follow the path of art and technology interaction. Their body of work can be viewed at the Butler in various forms including large scale suspended clusters, as well as kinetic and interactive light-works.
The "Lassoa" and "Helix" are examples of their kinetic light-works. The "Helix" is a vertical element with evenly spaced horizontal lines of light. A timed motor moves a gentle wave of motion up and down the lightwork. The "Lasso" is a digitally controlled motor assembly that causes three horizontally spaced lines of light to cycle through a dynamic movement which appear like a rope lasso.
The Sinas have been invited to exhibit in the United States, France, Finland, Austria, Columbia, Germany, Canada, Japan, Brazil, Chile and Switzerland. Their light-works are featured in the following books; "The Anthology of Light Artists," "Contemporary Neon," "Liquid Fire," "The Magic of Neon" and "La Pinture en Chile." Their work is part of the permanent collection of the Bruce Museum, The Morris Museum, Museo de Bellas Artes (Santiago), The Butler Institute of American Art and the Isetan Museum (Tokyo). Recent Sina exhibits include "Lumina" ad the International Light Artist Invitational in Copenhagen (November 1999).
Beard's paintings: The show of paintings by Boardman artist Phyllis Beard continues to draw area visitors to the Butler Institute. The very personal exhibit, titled "Just Outside My Door," document's the artist's friends, family and the projects undertaken during her extensive career. The exhibition remains on view through Saturday.
Other news of regional artists includes an update of Marlene Aron's recent activities and exhibitions. Aron's work was featured in the Robert V. Fullerton Art Museum (California State San Bernadino), and the artist served on a panel of the International Conference of "Rumi 2000: Whirling with the Cosmos."
Aron was one of four artists invited to participate in Pittsburgh's Carnegie Mellon Miller Gallery exhibition "Kindred Spirits," and most recently, her work was included in the five-person sculpture exhibit "Anticipating Spring: A Winter Sculpture Garden" (Ohio State University's Newark, Ohio Gallery). Her work was also included in the alumni show of the Oliver Art Center (Oakland, California) was well as in the Butler's 64th Midyear show. Aron is visiting artist and guest lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania.
Gallery talks: A series of gallery talks by Zona begins today at 2 p.m. at the Butler Trumbull branch with "Post Impressionists" as the topic. Other talks by Director Zona include "The Picasso Century" (April 4, 2 p.m., Trumbull branch); "Surrealism" (April 29, 2 p.m., Salem branch); and "American Art -- The 1950s & amp; 1980s" (May 16, 2 p.m., Youngstown Butler). These free programs are made possible by Mr. & amp; Mrs. William Clayman, Foundation Medici, The Salem Community Foundation and National City Bank.
The Butler's film series continues this week in the screening of "Antonio Guadi!" scheduled for Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. in the museum's Zona Auditorium. This film offers a tour through works designed by the brilliant designer who created one of the most unusual and organic styles in the history of architecture.
XButler hours in Youngstown are: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. Butler hours at the Trumbull branch are Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Butler Salem hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission to all three facilities is free.