SUNY Oneonta Students Assist Artists-in-Residence

This spring, SUNY Oneonta students had the opportunity to work closely and collaborate with interdisciplinary artists Georgia b. Smith and Zelda Smith to explore the intersection of art, technology and narrative during the artists' six-week residency.

With SUNY Oneonta as their home base, the duo developed the first iteration of an evolving performance art project that asks: "How do we form our identity as humans?" and investigates the relationships between human bodies and technology, storytelling and artificial intelligence.

Bringing together students, faculty and staff from across disciplines-including art, dance, theatre and music-their work culminated in a powerful final performance, "The Uncanny Body," staged inside the Hamblin Theatre.

The 20-minute performance incorporated sound, light, movement and sculpture, with the focal point being a large, bone-like wooden "totem," topped with two ceramic structures resembling human lungs. These elements were built and/created using campus studios and spaces.

During "The Uncanny Body," six student dancers climbed the movable totem, swaying and turning to an experimental soundtrack. In the background, two large canvases displayed a series of thought-provoking questions, followed by projected, rippling lightworks that were created by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Assistant Professor of Architecture Yael Erel.

Zelda and Georgia, who are sisters, were selected as the School of Liberal Arts and Business' Spring 2025 Artists-in-Residence through a competitive process led by Art, Music and Theatre faculty. The joint residency marked a first for the program: two artists working in tandem, merging their distinct backgrounds-earth-based sculpture and robotic performance design-into a singular artistic vision.

"I really enjoy working with young creatives because I remember these interactions shaping my own career and trajectory," Zelda said, "and this feels like a small way of giving back and fostering the creative community of the future. ...We've been impressed with everyone we've worked with, from the motivated students to the supportive professors. We had an ambitious project, and SUNY Oneonta rose to meet us there."

To view these students click here: https://oneonta.meritpages.com/achievements/SUNY-Oneonta-Students-Assist-Artists-in-Residence/187199