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Museum, prof laser artwork < By KATHY HEBERGER Staff Writer With blue, violet and green laser beams criss-crossing the S.C. State Museum's large parking lot and branching across Gervais Street in downtown Columbia, drivers may have to force their eyes to stay on the road this month. "I had to stop the car to look at it," political science freshman Darwina Bugarin said. "It was the most Deauuiui array ot computerized color I've ever seen." USC art professor Chris Robinson designed the laser sculpture, which will be on display every night from dusk until 10 p.m. for the rest of the month. Robinson is a conceptual artist He works with ideas first then decides what medium and materials he will use for the project His ideas and medium impressed biology freshman David Nations. "At first sight the sculpture reminded me of gift wrapping a package. It was so shiny and colorful," he said. "It was amazing how the beams floated in the air, and I couldn't believe how they were just gone when he turned them off. One second you were looking at these shimmering lasers and then there was nothing." Robinson's interest in lasers started in 1971 when he was at Florida State University. "No one would give me access to a laser at first I decided to learn as much as I could about lasers. Later I wrote the company a letter that showed them I knew what I was talking about, and they allowed me to work with the laser," Robinson said. His first projects were simple, indoor displays, he said, adding that he didn't attempt an outdoor display until he was at a graduate school in Massachusetts where he 1 experimented with lasers. Robinson said he hopes his laser art will help people see the important role of science and technology ; in modern society. This concept is 1 search l' 1 i i Applications available at a] Student Development (1215 "1" Building. Applications due to the "I" 1 dent Development (1215 Bios 4:30pm, Friday, October 13,1 THE 01 Room 33 I Ri KENT CAMPING EQUII Tents $6 Sleeping I Stove: Lanterr Backpac Ensolite f Phone 77 Hours Monday Thursdt Friday mmm !i A service of | Campus Recreation essor display downtown a predominant theme in his artwork. "I think creating something artistic with science gives people a better understanding of lasers and science in general. Technology is associated with danger and war so often these days, he said. Relating science and art is also one of the museum's goals. "We're very pleased to have the laser sculpture. It's significant as a dazzling artwork ? a unique way to display the relationship between science and art," science projects curator Ron Shelton said. Observers ask questions when they stop to view the lasers. "It's been a very interesting turnout," Shelton said. "Most of the people discovered it while driving by, they stop and ask all about it." If viewers would like to learn more about lasers they can visit the museum's laser interpretation center, Shelton said. The center tells and demonstrates the history of the laser and gives basics on how lasers work. Robinson's exhibit features a ray of argon projecting from a single source and then reflecting off mirrors positioned around the perimeter and on the corners of the museum, at the edges of the parking lot, and on a building across Gervais Street. The rays aren't deadly, but Robinson had to make their pathways at least twenty feet off the ground and position the mirrors so that they will always be grounded on safe, solid structure in case they should shake from their original positions. Robinson contacted Southern Bell, S.C. Electric & Gas, the De- . partment of Agriculture and other ' organizations before setting up the ( sculpture. | "Laser are still a relatively un- j known medium, and I think this is one reason we've had to get appoval from so many places to set up the display," Robinson said. 4 The laser display is free and be- 4 gins each night at dusk and lasts f until 10 p.m. | ??????? 4 f you have a creative nind, a strong sense of reponsibility and the abilty to work well with ?ther students, then Resilent Student Developnent wants you to be an IA (Resident Advisor.) iny Student interested in m RA position should ontact Resident Student )evelopment at 777-8188 r 777-2481 for more inforaation. 11 Area Offices, Resident Blossom Street) and the Building or Resident Stuisom Street) no later than .989. rSIDIR I jssell House PMENT INCLUDING: > - $12 Sass $5 5 $5 IS $5 ks $6 'ads $2 7-6460 f 12:30-6:00 ly 1:00-4:00 1:00-4:00 EDI The USC Symphony Orchestra 1 A Clas; Symphony op By KATHY HEBERGER Staff Writer The USC Symphony Orchestra will open its season Thursday night at the Koger Center for the Arts with Russian pianist Alexander Peskanov. "We've engaged a brilliant pianist to perform it," symphony conductor Donald Portnoy said of Peskanov's performance in the orchestra's last piece of the evening, Tschaikowsky's "Piano Concerto." Peskanov's appearance with the group reflects the USC Orchestra's reputation. "I'd say it's one of the best university orchestras I've heard ? at least in the top three or four," Ko t\! t> r* l Jk ger center i>urecior n.on rearsun saiu. JT- ? 9 Hi Corner of Assembly & Whaley ^mriMTiioM jumoom AM? an EXTtNDIEID ?dA?UMl Applications For Who'sWho Among St* American Universities and Colleges h extended to October 13. The Criteria fo by the Committee is as follows: 1) Must be graduating between January and December 31, 1990. 2) Scholarship, involvement and leaders academic and co-curricular activities, 3) Citizenship and service to Carolina, a potential for future achievement. Pick up applications at the following loca 1) Student Government Office 2) Office of V.P. of Student Affairs (RH 1 3) Russell House Information Desk Application Deadline is October 13,1! 5:00 p.m. in the Office of V.P. of Stud< Affairs. For further information, please c 777-4172. ^ PI IJ I Si I i ^ P iflfppi I! I 1||||?|ili^PIIPip "" ^ "iflHEi ^Jl| ^=^^8 ^%;VV:-\i ^g^fMBPP rehearses under the direction of its conductor, Di sical Begi ens season with g "We've been working hard and have got " suinc exciung pieces piaimcu. x wain pcvpie iu c come and enjoy themselves," Portnoy said. c Orchestra members said they'll be ready for the 8 p.m. performance, which begins with c Brahms's "Academic Festival Overture" and a French composer Caesar Franck's "Symphony s; in D Minor." "It's going to be a great concert. The or- y chestra is really enthused. We like what we're 1< playing," junior violinist Audrey Wade said. s< Engaging Peskanov to perform the piano tl solos should benefit both orchestra members and audience, Portnoy said. "It's important for students to get this close contact with world- ~ renowned musicians now because they'll work with major artists in the future," Portnoy said. . QiS SI I ^9 Don't forget to si] I G/ J below. Sign up is - 2 H. William Clos< 5/ as; October 12. 252-0005 IMQOIKIS . G LA jdentsin _ as been NATION r selection \TAVAT '1,1990 NORT >hip in and nd,he ROGERS, Mi tions: 109) U.S. PA ,89 at WALLAC ent WESTINGHOUS :all Are you getting the personal service you deserve? onald Portnoy. nning uest pianist And it gives students and the community a hance to hear one of the world's best musiians. Everyone benefits." Working with professional performers enrihes the orchestra experience, junior violinist nd music performance major Sam Thompson aid. "It's one of the few opportunities I'll have to /ork with professional musicians while in coltge," he said. By watching Peskanov, Thompon said, "I can admire his discipline and want tat for myself." Most of the musicians played in their high See SYMPHONY page 5 DNIORS! gn up for the organizations listed in the Placement Office, 6th floor, 5 Building, deadline is Thursday, CENTURY 21 DUKE POWER DUPONT ELI LILLY EORGIA PACIFIC DY FOOTLOCKER AL SECURITY AGENCY ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS NCNB HWESTERN MUTUAL PEPSI PIRELLI CABLE ONTGOMERY & COMPANY ROSE'S STORES SCE&G SCN .TENT & TRADEMARK E COMPUTER SERVICES E ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES PO-378 -,r* ,, : *ti} ( ! v V