Art Alum's Work Gets Noticed by The New Yorker
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 5, 2010) − The artwork of alumnus William Santen was featured in a recent article titled "A Failed Entertainment" published Feb. 2 on The New Yorker's blog "The Book Bench." Santen is a recent art graduate of University of Kentucky and a former Gaines Fellow.
The New Yorker piece by Lucy Tang on the exhibition, "A Failed Entertainment: Selections from the filmography of James O. Incandenza," features an image of "Various Small Flames" that was adapted by Santen. The video installation, where a man intensely observes two human-figurine candles, was described as a standout video by Tang. Additionally, a screenshot from Santen's film was also featured on Flavorpill's article "Behind the Scenes of an Infinite Jest-Inspired Art Show" by Eva Hagberg. Though the exhibit, "A Failed Entertainment" consists of works in various mediums, including painting and sculpture, videos like Santen's are the main attraction. The show runs through Feb. 19, at the Gallery at LeRoy Neiman Center for Print Studies, in New York City.
"Given Bill’s hard work and talent, I am sure that this is just the first of many times we’ll be hearing about his work from prominent sources. The fact that our recent graduates, as well as the work of our faculty, are getting this kind of recognition indicates the quality of our teaching and research," said Benjamin C. Withers, chair of the Department of Art at UK.
The exhibit, "A Failed Entertainment," is inspired by "Infinite Jest: A Novel" by author David Foster Wallace. The novel won Wallace acclaim as one of the greatest authors of the 20th century, eventually being granted a MacArthur award. The book chronicles the lives of the characters surrounding James Incandenza, an avant-garde filmmaker, mathematician and visionary tennis instructor. The plot largely revolves around a missing master copy of one of Incandenza's films, titled "Infinite Jest," a film so entertaining to viewers that they become catatonic, losing all interest in anything other than endless viewings of the film.
Santen is a native of Lexington, Ky. He is a musician, as well as a visual artist. Locals may remember him as founder of the experimental folk/rock group, Birddog. Santen has exhibited locally, regionally and now nationally. He has received numerous awards, including the Transylvania University Guest Artist Award.
Santen is the third artist with a connection to UK Department of Art to be mentioned by a New York publication in the last three months. The New York Times featured work by UK faculty Ebony Patterson and Arturo Alonzo Sandoval in two recent exhibition reviews. Additionally, a second work by Patterson was featured on the Wall Street Journal Web site.