Art and science collide in alumna’s artwork
Imaging science alumnus Juliet Fiss has created artwork for the Carlson Center at RIT
Xander Fiss
Juliet Fiss ’09 (imaging science) uses algorithms and formulas to create artwork.
The intersection of creativity and science is evident in the colorful, complex artwork of Juliet Fiss ’09 (imaging science).
Fiss takes her passion for painting and her mind full of mathematical formulas to create intricate masterpieces, like one that greets students as they enter RIT’s Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science.
Her artwork featured in the building is centered on the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), which is an important algorithm in imaging science. As a visual person, Fiss always found it helpful to see algorithms and formulas in a different way.
“It’s easy to think of it as a black box and not really think about what’s going on under the hood,” said Fiss. “It’s interesting to think about how it works and what’s really happening with the data. All the paintings in my FFT series are about the visual intuition of how the FFT works.”
Imaging science was a natural fit for Fiss. Her father is an imaging scientist, and Fiss always enjoyed math and science. She transferred to RIT to be with her now husband, Xander Fiss ’10 BS/MS (computer engineering), making the move from Minnesota to New York.
Fiss wrote visualization software as a student under the direction of Professor Roger Easton Jr., updating an older program to Java, the modern language of the time. The open-source software, SignalShow, is still being used in classrooms today.
After graduating from RIT, she earned her Ph.D. in computer science and engineering from the University of Washington, where she worked in a graphics and imaging lab. It was during her graduate school years that Fiss faced a medical setback and rediscovered her love for art. Painting became a way to take a break from the countless medical appointments and the stress of her illness.
“Art is healing in many ways,” Fiss said. “It’s a form of escapism, but it’s very healthy to have that. It’s healthy to have that balance.”
Painting and programming continues for Fiss as she is working on additional artwork for RIT and updates to SignalShow yet again, this time creating a web-based version, while living in Kirkland, Wash.
“For the imaging science students, I want to inspire them to learn about the Fast Fourier Transform,” added Fiss. “To produce this body of work that will end up in the building is so cool. I’m going to keep painting and keep sending them. I’m really excited about it.”
