Math and science – not two words that may come to mind when the topic of art is brought up, but tonight could prove they are more closely then ever before.

The second lecture in “Future Tech: the Arts and Culture” will present sculptor Michael Rees at The Wexner Center Film and Video Theater.

Rees does not use a typical medium for his sculptures. He uses a computer to mathematically create both the interior and exterior of his work – a process called 3-D printing.

“When creating the sculpture virtually, technically it is not an image. It is a mathematical, solid object. Solid means that it has a continuous surface with thickness,” Rees said.

He then uses a process called Rapid Prototyping, which creates the 3-D sculpture displayed in galleries or exhibitions.

Kenneth Rinaldo, associate professor in art and technology and co-organizer of the Battelle Endowment for Technology and Human Affairs-sponsored series, “Future Tech: the Arts and Culture,” said in Rapid Prototyping technology, the 3-D object Rees creates on a computer can then be sent as a file to a Rapid Prototyping printer. It prints the 3-D sculpture using a medium like plastics to complete Rees’ piece.

“Rees has been instrumental in creating a new relationship between the processes of 3-D modeling and animation software to create 3-D sculptures using Rapid Prototyping technology,” Rinaldo said.

Amy Youngs, assistant professor in art and technology and co-organizer of the lecture series, said Rees is one of the first people to use this technology in the art field and has changed the way sculpture is approached now.

“Sculpture has been associated with the hands for the creation,” Youngs said.

Rees said he is interested in the issues of how art influences technology and vice versa. He said he feels his art interacts with technology on several levels.

“As I look at various theoretical developments in art and technology, I see parallel tracks that mostly do not interact. I hope to address this issue in my talk,” Rees said.

Rees also plans to speak about his works and its development, as well as the impact it represents. He said he also hopes to show the different views of his work, such as animation, photographs, documentary movies and interactive programs.

Rees said the technology he uses for his sculptures can go outside the art world and be used as a part of science, medicine and toy design.

“Its use in industry is ubiquitous,” he said.

Rinaldo said the series is to highlight the talents of artists like Rees and the way in which they innovate art.

“It’s what the artist is bringing to the critical engagement of the use of these tools. Many of us – those who teach and utilize advanced technologies – believe that the best artist’s work comes from a misuse of the tool. It’s not just about tool training, as much as it’s about creating meaning and redefining meanings for our culture at large as regards to what it means to contemporary culture,” Rinaldo said.

Just like all of the lecture series, the event is open to any person interested in hearing the artist speak about his work and the role technology has in society and the arts.

“Future Tech: the Arts and Culture” will be held at 6 p.m. tonight in the Wexner Center Film and Video Theatre.