By Kelsey Corley
Caleb Beverly is a senior in the DMAD program, graduating this winter. As a capstone, he presented an exhibition featuring his personal series titled NETWORK. The work was composed of printed images highlighting the dynamic relationship of human interaction with advancing technology. The images exhibited human figures, connected through a series of wires and cables, contrasted against a bleak, concrete environment. The opening of the exhibition even featured live performances that reenacted some of the scenes displayed in the artwork and engaged the audience.
According to Beverly, the purpose of NETWORK was to promote self-reflection towards our changing relationship with technology, not to condemn the advancement of the internet and social media, but to promote awareness as to how they have altered the way we communicate and interact, and he was humbled by how well that message was received by the audience. “The series had enough ambiguity and nuance that people read different perspectives into the work. Still, everyone left the exhibition having considered the effects of their communication medium,” as Beverly reflects. He finds that creating the series and putting together the exhibition strengthened him as an artist, and has plans to feature NETWORK again at other venues in the future. As Beverly said, regarding his perspective as a creator, “I believe that art is an ongoing conversation between artists and audiences, so it’s exciting to add my voice to the mix.”
