Please join us for an artist talk and reception for Quantum Flora, on view in the IMStudio from May 9 -23. The talk will be held in room 104 in the Olin Arts Center, with the reception following in Coram Library.

Quantum Flora is an exploration of the science of nuclear physics at the quantum scale through interaction with a large sculptural form using interactive projected generative art and musical elements.

Following the opening, the hours for viewing Quantum Flora will be:

Fri May 10th, 10am-3pm
Sat May 11th, 10am-3pm

Tues May 14th, 10am-3pm
Thurs May 16th, 10am-7pm
Fri May 17th, 10am-3pm
Sat May 18th, 10am-3pm

Tues May 21st, 10am-3pm
Thurs May 23rd, 10am-3pm
Fri May 24th, 10am-3pm

*Times are subject to change, all updates will be added here*

The Artists

Cindy Thompson is a multi-disciplinary artist and entrepreneur based in Gorham, Maine. She is the president of Transformit, a design and fabrication studio specializing in tension fabric structures for events, display and permanent installation. Initially a clay sculptor and metalsmith, Cindy’s research inspired her to merge sculpture with performance, creating spandex sleeves, orbs, and slinkies that she then animated with her own body from the inside. The performance collaborative Pink Ink grew out of this work, with events staged at The Kitchen and Franklin Furnace in NYC. Big, kinetic, colorful and lightweight sculpture became her trademark. Following a teaching stint at Arizona State University, Cindy returned to Maine to apprentice with renowned tent designer Bill Moss, and in 1987 formed Transformit.  Her work has been installed all across the United States and internationally, and Transformit’s innovative use of fabric has received numerous accolades from industry trade organizations. Most recently, Cindy has partnered with James LaPlante to form Chrom2four, an interactive and immersive art production company. In August of 2023 they presented Encounters, a month-long immersive video and sculpture in Bayside Portland. Cindy holds an MFA from School of the Museum of Fine Arts, MA; and a BFA in Sculpture and a BA in Education, both from Colorado State University.

James LaPlante is the founder and creative director of Sputnik Animation, an Emmy award winning studio located in South Portland, Maine. He has over 30 years of experience in media production working as a writer, producer, director, editor, animator and interactive designer. James’ experience as a science communicator comes from decades of working directly with scientists in fields ranging from molecular biology to nuclear physics to bring complex scientific concepts to a wide audience. Sputnik produces animation for broadcast documentaries and interactive exhibits for museums. Some of our clients include, National Geographic, PBS NOVA, the Smithsonian Natural History Museum, the Boston Museum of Science and the Children’s Museum of Maine. James is also the founder of Chrom2four an interactive immersive art production company with the goal of creating an immersive art experience and museum in Maine.