Sci-fi exhibits arrive at ICA

Claymation flower film clips, panoramic video displays of fireworks and a closed-circuit video security camera filled the Institute of Contemporary Art on Friday evening. The ICA hosted a preview reception for two new science fiction-influenced exhibits by Bruce Yonemoto and Clint Takeda, both Japanese-American artists. ICA Director Claudia Gould explained that the museum hosts several shows by various artists each year. "Each is different," she said, adding that they develop ideas for shows through a variety of sources. "[Yonemoto's art] was brought to my attention by Carol Ann Klondarides," Gould said, referring to the ICA's media arts curator. Klondarides had seen Yonemoto's exhibition with his older brother at the InterCommunication Center in Tokyo last year. Those same works are now on display at the ICA -- in Yonemoto's first one-man museum show. He has held previous shows in Los Angeles with his brother. "This show is about the idea of spectacle," Yonemoto said, elaborating on the inspirations for his art. Those sources include the H.G. Wells classic The Time Machine. Sculptures by Takeda, a Philadelphia area resident, are also on display in the ICA. His works are titled, "The Other People." Takeda's works include a larger than life bust of a monkey called "Transship," a human figure titled "Arctarus II" and hanging latex configurations referred to as "Untitled (Hallucinations)." Guests at the reception -- which was open to the public -- included members of the art community and interested students. "This is my first opening," said College junior Eileen Weinstein, who recently began interning at the ICA. She was helping out at the event. "It's interesting to see this part of the art world," Weinstein said. Students from local institutions came after hearing about the show from fliers. "We are really encouraged to view other artists," said Lia Brennan, a sophomore at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. "I'm here to see what's out there." Even nearby employees could not resist the exhibit's unique presentations. "[The ICA] is a fantastic space," said Dona Lantz, who works at Moore College of Art and Design in Center City. "I am new to the area and thought I should come check out the opening." The show will continue to run until April 22.