Is there privacy/anonymity at the beach in the age of social media and cell phone cameras? Karen Hochman Brown explores ideas of being seen yet anonymous in her first solo exhibition Anonymous@theBeach opening June 15th 5-8 at TAG Gallery on Wilshire.

Anonymous@theBeach is a collection of digitally manipulated images, video and an interactive installation that challenges ideas of privacy in today’s technology landscape.

Hochman Brown is a photography-based digital artist. She uses a graphic synthesizer software program to create custom virtual paintbrushes, changing settings of endless parameters that react to a visual reference. The brushstrokes are applied one by one based on information such as shape, color, orientation and luminance. In this process, she is not limited to using photographs for reference and can venture into a world of totally algorithmic creations. Results can mimic natural painting styles or come off as purely graphic. In addition to 2-D works, the artist processes images over time to develop animations.

The exhibition features framed printouts of her digital imagery, showing perforated figures that allow the background to show through. Background and foreground interplay as the subjects melt into each other and nothingness. Hochman Brown explores the paradox of seeing and being seen by the multitudes, while still maintaining a sense of privacy.

The opening reception for Anonymous@theBeach is June 15, 5-8pm and there will be an Artist Walkthrough on June 29 at 1pm.