Bowen Project Space
Located inside the President’s House on College Hill, the Bowen Project Space offers a 20-foot long blank canvas for selected students to present murals, digital prints and other large-scale installations. It is centrally located within the house, inviting guests to interact with the kinds of ambitious student work that emerge from RISD studios.
Current exhibition
QR Bulletin Board
installation by Min Hyuk Ji BArch 24
Inside the gallery
Bowen Project Space opened in November 2024 with QR Bulletin Board, an exhibition of work by Architecture major Min Hyuk Ji and curated by RISD alum Rachel Cope 03 SC. And like its inaugural show, the space itself calls invites transformation via installation and visitor engagement.
About the current show
Artist’s statement
“Influenced by my architectural studies, I like to begin my process with a critical examination of space, which frequently serves as both the central subject and primary medium in my work. This exploration leads me to identify spatial constraints, where I delve into the frictions and capacities between various materials and mediums, often uncovering creative solutions.
My ideas often start as playful and seemingly absurd; yet upon deeper contemplation, they often reveal their potential for meaningful opportunities. I particularly enjoy this juxtaposition, balancing a whimsical attitude with the conceptual underpinnings of my project, creating works that are not only aesthetically engaging but also meaningful.”
— Min Hyuk Ji BArch 24
Curator’s statement
“Transformation is defined as a thorough or dramatic change in form or appearance. Ranging from the scientific to the spiritual realm, transformation can take on a myriad of forms and can have a different meaning for every individual.
QR Bulletin Board addresses the concept of transformation on multiple levels. Utilizing anamorphic projection, it transforms the viewing space from one that is too narrow for orthogonal viewing into a space where one can observe the piece from either end of the hallway, as well as up close.
By featuring a QR code, it transforms the viewing experience from physical to digital in nature. The mural itself transforms as you get closer to it—from afar it is clearly a singular large-scale QR code, but as the viewer approaches the wall it transforms into an array of small QR codes amidst large-scale abstract forms.
Finally, by utilizing a QR code that leads to the work of all RISD students, it transforms a solo exhibition into a democratized, all-inclusive retrospective of the work of the entire student body. This large-scale wall mural pushes the boundaries of artistic expression through its use of technology, which is something we are constantly exploring at Calico Wallpaper.”
— Rachel Cope 03 SC (guest curator and creative director/founder of Calico Wallpaper)
Location and contact
Please note: The space is not open to the public; visitors are required to have an appointment or invitation.
Bowen Project Space
132 Bowen Street
Providence, RI 02903
president@risd.edu