IN 3D Opening Party - This Saturday Nov 14th - 7pm

Mission Comics and Art presents “In 3D- anaglyphs by Stan Heller” from November 14-December 18 at their gallery on 3520 20^th Street. The show is a retrospective of Heller’s last five years of work making 3D images in book and print formats. The show features large format anaglyph images ranging in size from 11x17 inches to a giant 6x9 foot monster composite print.

Why 3D? Once upon a time, a young boy pulled a pair of 3D glasses out of a cereal box. It was as simple as that. The first 3D experience was a “down the rabbit hole” moment for Heller. Things would never be the same again.

Years later, while experimenting with a 3D camera, Heller became interested in why 3D images worked and if they could be created without twin lenses. This led ultimately to his first 3D comic, “Andrea Dinosaur” in 2006.

His latest work, “Not Quite Here” was published in zine format this August and is available at many bookstores and comic shops in San Francisco. The story involves two unlikely heroes, Mystic Mike and Kiwi, as they patch up their considerable differences to come to the aid of their friend Poppa Ya. Once they begin to investigate, the duo realizes they may be in for a larger challenge than they ever imagined.

“Not Quite Here: Plague of the Pigheads,” is the first volume in a three part story arc. The locale will seem familiar to many San Franciscans, set in the Valencia Street corridor. The chance of readers bumping into actual characters from the book is quite high.

The challenges of 3D art are numerous. First, according to an article in Popular Science, as many as 56% of the population just can’t see 3D. Next, many people who can see 3D still experience some form of vertigo.

The biggest challenge, according to Heller, is people need to slow down when viewing 3D. Because it is a complex optical illusion, it takes time for the brain to process all of the information in a 3D print. If one is patient, a 3D image will “open up” after a few minutes, displaying a greater depth and subtlety than a quick glance can afford.

“Most people look, but they just don’t take the time to see,” Heller remarks. “3D images can be viewed not only as narratives or illustrations, but as toys for the eye. “ Heller calls 3D print making “the art of the wandering eye,” because given a chance, the eye flits from plane to plane, picking up details here and there, never having quite the same experience each time an image is viewed. “Getting people to slow down and play is the most difficult part of any 3D exhibit.”

Heller has exhibited his work for the past several years at East Bay Open Studios. He also displayed his 3D handiwork in a month long one man show at the City Hall in San Mateo.

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