Kenna Lewis

Capstone exhibition at Tabula Rasa exploring human-computer connection through memetics. “Memesis” is a portmanteau of internet memes (units of cultural information that spread through imitation) and mimesis (Ancient Greek: imitation/representation). The work traverses cultural language and its connections to online space.

Wall text: “Computers are not only mimicries of us, but we are, in effect, mimicries of computation… our cells act as individual Turing machines.”

Rooted in the artist’s experience as a digital native shaped by early/mid-2000s internet culture — fan forums, self-portraits, original characters.

Deconstructed computer monitor rehoused in a 3D-printed amorphic ribcage structure. The skeletal form encases the monitor, making it a “vague, almost human vessel.”

The screen plays an AMV (Anime Music Video) of Naruto and Sasuke set to The Same Deep Water as You by The Cure — sourced from animemusicvideos.org, made by user “Scottie.” References fan-made media and the way shared fictional relationships are deepened collectively through online platforms.

Designed in Rhinoceros 8 + Grasshopper. 3D printed in PLA on Bambu A1 and A1 Mini. Pin-and-screw fastening system with M4 screws/nuts. Primed, sanded, matte white spray paint finish.

Kinetic sculpture that mimics the rhythm and movement of a human heart. Two small servo motors sutured to the outer shell with thin black cable distort and tweak the form at ~80 BPM.

Raspberry Pi communicates with Arduino Uno to control servo movement. Pi is housed in a sinuous bone-like enclosure (designed in Rhino/Grasshopper, mirroring the Ribcage structure) with a snap-in exhaust fan.

Acrylic platforms laser cut from 3.18mm clear acrylic sourced from a liquidation sale. Heart model: free-use medical 3D model, bisected, mounted with UV resin. Surface detailed with texture-mapped stencils and AI-generated muscle tissue textures.

Copperplate intaglio collagraph printed in the colors of the Anarcho-Transhumanism Flag. Part of the Memesis exhibition.

Explores the transformation of digital self-image — a childhood Facebook photo of an original character (OC) drawn in the style of a TV character, photographed in the artist’s bedroom — into a physical intaglio print.

Process: Photoshop threshold/levels adjustments to create 4 tonal layers → transferred to copperplate via laser engraver (burns acrylic BIG ground to expose plate) → spray-painted aquatint → acid bath etch → printed on BFK Rives paper. Merges digital ephemera with historical printmaking technique.

AI-generated imagery translated into a CNC-machined foam relief.

Process: Image generated in Midjourney (prompts: human-computer integration) → height map created → applied as texture stencil in Blender → imported to Fusion 360 for CNC toolpath generation → G-code optimized with AI assistance (reduced machining time ~50%) → machined on Shapeoko CNC on foam insulation panel → finished with spray paint layers.

A digital tool to help young adults escape social media comparison cycles, develop meaningful goals, and take actionable self-improvement steps.

Core loop: Dream (AI-assisted goal exploration → “Universe” gamified dashboard) → Do (custom pocket notebook + OCR habit tracking) → Reflect (AI-driven feedback, community sharing).

Branding: deep blues, reds, dark tones. Star logo evolving through three stages (Dream / Dream in Progress / Completed Dream). Keychain stencil accessory: blue laser-cut acrylic with resin-filled logo.

Physical product: modular waterproof pocket notebook with removable templated sheets, ribbon bookmark, elastic enclosure. OCR scanning connects physical tracking to app AI.

Brand identity for a conceptual craft beer company inspired by the mythological Southwestern cactus cat — a creature known for its love of fermented cactus juice.

Typography from Emigre’s Platelet (inspired by California license plates). Warm desert color gradients. Illustrative stretching cactus-covered cat logo. Label for “Cactus Bloom Prickly Pear Pale Ale” (5.5% ABV, 12 fl oz) meets industry packaging standards: barcode, government warning, recycling symbol.

Brand applications: t-shirt, coasters, taproom environmental branding.

Climbing bag upcycled from a dumpster-found promotional duffel. Conceptually framed around wry, opportunistic participation in the waste stream — capitalism working as designed, not failing. Material sourcing from BidFTA liquidation auctions is central to practice.

Active sewing practice focused on bag construction: chalk bags, dopp kit, waxed canvas bin, climbing bags, totes.

Ongoing focus on improving construction speed and technique, particularly bag bottom construction. Materials sourced primarily from BidFTA liquidation auctions and found objects.