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Artist Talk with Amanda Stojanov, M.F.A

Amanda Stojanov, M.F.A., Assistant Professor of Digital Media, gave an Artist Talk at Edison Hall on Monday, Nov. 4. Stojanov spoke on her past works since she graduated from Monmouth in 2014.

Stojanov did several projects since graduating from the University, but after showing her several projects from the past, one thing stood out: all of Stojanov’s projects are different from anything you have ever seen.

Stojanov’s first project that she showed us involved taking scans of human bodies interacting. After taking these scans, Stojanov picked her two favorite and made 3D sculptures out of them.

When she brought the pieces to a gallery for display, Stojanov took the other scans and flattened them onto one another to animate and project onto the sculptures.

When the audience was shown the video, they were in awe because everyone can agree that they haven’t seen anything like this before.

Stojanov showed her art at every angle, and those watching her flip through her slideshow admired those ideas that went outside the box. When Stojanov moved to Los Angeles after graduation, she began to work with an organization that used custom-made dolls to promote safe sex through stop motion production.

Watching the success of that organization through videos and trailers of the “PrEPnPLAY.org” organization moved everyone. At first it was difficult to understand the concept of using custom-made dolls to bring across the idea of safe sex, but after seeing the effectiveness for those living in Los Angeles, it was amazing.

The short stop motion videos that Stojanov and her team created from bottom to top motivated people to be safe and healthy.

Stojanov’s Artist Talk was enjoyable and it’s impressive to have such a great professional be on the University’s faculty. Stojanov has done amazing work that is unique from anything in a traditional gallery or museum.

After hearing her talk openly about her projects and the ideas and processes, even I was inspired myself to take on something thoughtful and unique.

The next Artist Talk will be with Elizabeth Demaray, a sculptor and fine arts professor from Rutgers University-Camden, at Wilson Hall on Mar. 2.

IMAGE TAKEN from ArtCenter College of Design