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Concourse 100

Michael Porten

Executive Function (After Hillel)

2017 | Urethane resin, aluminum, UV print on plexiglass and LED light

Executive Function (After Hillel) is an illuminated installation created by American artist Michael Porten, who unites patterns and iconography to evoke contemplation.
Accordingly, these queries — first posed by the rabbinical sage Hillel the Elder — inspire viewers to commit to themselves without excluding others. More recently, this maxim has been echoed by late U.S. President John F. Kennedy, British actress Emma Watson and is a personal favorite of Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United owner Arthur M. Blank.

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Michael Porten

Michael Porten

Indianapolis, Indiana

Through sculptural works and paintings, SCAD alumnus Michael Porten (M.F.A., painting, 2012; B.F.A., illustration, 2004) has carved a niche of his own, drawing inspiration from pop culture and iconography. Synthesizing seemingly disparate subjects — rainbows, family, computer art, addiction and religion — Porten’s exploratory artwork has been featured in solo and group exhibitions at The Late Show Gallery, Kansas City, Missouri; P.J.S. Exhibitions, New York; and ARTery Miami during Art Basel Miami Beach, among other museums and galleries. Additionally, Porten’s art is on view throughout SCAD locations worldwide. In 2016, he was commissioned to create 10 relief portraits for Savannah Women of Vision, a SCAD investiture honoring female trailblazers for their accomplishments throughout the city’s history. Raised in Huntsville, Alabama, Porten lives and works in Savannah.

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