© Copyright 2019 – 2026 Dom Garcia
Richard Clar is a pioneering new media interdisciplinary artist who splits his time between Northern California and Paris.
Clar studied at the Chouinard Art Institute (now Cal-Arts) and emerged as an early innovator in the field of art-in-space. In 1982, he developed a NASA-approved art payload concept for the U.S. Space Shuttle, cementing his role at the intersection of cultural expression and space exploration.
In 1987, Clar founded Art Technologies to serve as a liaison between his philosophically oriented concepts and evolving technological fields. His site-specific, environmental, and cosmic themes encompass issues such as orbital debris, global water management, war and peace, and the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI). By collaborating alongside preeminent aerospace entities—including Boeing, the Aerospace Corporation, and the Naval Research Laboratory—Clar seamlessly transforms highly engineered materials and space-age data into evocative contemporary art.
Clar’s institutional involvement is extensive. In 2001 and 2002, he coordinated the Leonardo/OLATS/IAA Space Art Workshops in Paris. He serves as the Director of Art Technologies, is a Member of the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA), and a member of both the SETI Permanent Study Group and the Leonardo Space Art Working Group. His work has been exhibited in diverse galleries, universities, and museums throughout the United States and Europe, and is held in prominent corporate collections such as JBL Sound, Home Savings of America, and the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas.
© Copyright 2019 – 2026 Dom Garcia
“As we begin the 21st Century and the new millennium, a unique opportunity exists for artists to create work that extends beyond traditional media and venues, using the available technologies of the space age. The focus of my attention is on the creation of interdisciplinary art-in-space and art that utilizes data and processes related to various aspects of space that extend the parameters of Earth-bound art.”
CV
SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2019
Giant Step 2, Cote d'Azur Laser Ranging Station (MeO), Calern Observatory, Plateau de Calern – Grasse, France
Moon Bounce, Dwingeloo Radio Observatory – Dwingeloo, Netherlands
2015
Giant Step 1, Moon Bounce, Dwingeloo Radio Observatory – Dwingeloo, Netherlands
1974
“Track Records,” Triad Gallery – Los Angeles, California
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2013
“FREE ENTERPRISE: The Art of Citizen Space Exploration,” Museum of Art and History (MOAH) – Lancaster, California
“FREE ENTERPRISE: The Art of Citizen Space Exploration,” ARTSblock, Culver Gallery – University of California, Riverside
2012
"The Fourth State of Water: From Micro to Macro," the Center of Contemporary Art – CoCA, Torun, Poland
2009
"International Social Action Film Festival," the Museum of Photographic Arts – San Diego, California
"Salto Al Espacio," Arte X Arte – Buenos Aires, Argentina
2008
"San Francisco Ocean Film Festival" – San Francisco, California
2006
"Zero Gravity," Sangre de Cristo Arts Center – Pueblo, Colorado
2004
"Electronic Music Foundation EMF10" Palais de Tokyo – Paris, France
2003
“Space Art,” Fourth international Festival @rt Outsiders, Maison Europeenne de la Photographie – Paris, France
2002
“Crafting Space,” Smart Project Space – Amsterdam, The Netherlands
2001
“The Spirit and Power of Water,” EHESS – Marseilles, France
2001
“Space Design” Museum für Gestaltung – Zürich, Switzerland
1998
“Space Dreams” Melbourne Convention Center – Melbourne, Australia
1997
“Art to the Stars,” Lingotto Center – Turin, Italy
1995
“Stormy Waters,” Glasgow, Scotland
1994
“V-Topia International,” Tramway – Glasgow, Scotland
1993
“Fotofeis - Frequent Sites: Daily Voices,” New Imaging, The Scottish International Festival of Photography – Glasgow, Scotland
1992
“First European Space Art Symposium,” Palais des Congres – Montreaux, Switzerland
1983
“Poetry for the Body: Clothing for the Spirit,” Richmond Art Center – Richmond, California
1981
“The Art of Racing,” Long Beach Gallery – Long Beach, California
1975
“Autographics,” Golden West College – Huntington Beach, California
1974
“L.A. Artists,” Triad Gallery, Los Angeles, California
1973
“Southern California Expo,” Del Mar, California
1972
“Los Angeles Billboard,” Pasadena Art Museum – Los Angeles County Parks & Recreation
“Brand II,” Brand Art Center – Glendale, California
“National Small Sculpture,” University of California – San Diego, California
“Ink and Clay,” Cal-Poly University – Pomona, California
“Concepts,” Downey Museum of Art – Downey, California
"California-Hawaii,” San Diego Museum of Art – San Diego, California
“California Expo,” Sacramento, California
“37th Annual National Exhibition,” Cooperstown, New York
1971
“The Metal Experience,” The Oakland Museum – Oakland, California
“Brand I,” Brand Art Center – Glendale, California
1970
“Prospectus Art 70,” Huntington Beach, California
1969
“Cerritos Ceramic National,” Cerritos College – Cerritos, California
SELECTED AWARDS
1973
Honorable Mention, “Southern California Expo,” Del Mar, California
1972
Purchase Award, “Brand II,” Brand Art Center – Glendale, California
EXHIBITION REVIEWS/ARTICLES
“FREE ENTERPRISE: The Art of Citizen Space Exploration,” Los Angeles Times, (February 3, 2013) p. E9
"OUT OF THIS WORLD," Spaceflight Dolphin, ARTnews (June 2012) p.79
"A Media Wired to Philosophy," The Daily Bruin, (November 20, 2007)
“Art Reaches the Final Frontiers,” COLLISION II, The Irish Times (August 22, 2005) p.11
COLLISION II, Art Outsiders: Space Art, Cimase No. 276, (Autumn 2003) p. 13
Art Outsiders Space Festival, Atmosphere, October 2003
COLLISION II, La Tete dans les etoilles, Creation No. 92, (October 2003)
COLLISION II, "Space Art," Art Outsiders, Images, (October 2003)
"Les Yeux Dans Les Etoilles," COLLISION II, Art Outsiders, MEP, L’OEIL (October 2003)
"Space Art, the Art of the Impossible Made Real,” COLLISION, Art Press, (February 2004) p.41
“Between Worlds: The Art and Science of Interstellar Message Composition,” Doug Vakoch, Editor, MIT Press (publication date 2004)
“Stellar Dances,” Che cosa vedono di noi, Focus (April 2003) p. 88
“COLLISION,” les arts electroniques, Art Press (June 2001) p.92
“Information Art: A survey of Artists and Researchers Working at the Intersection of Art, Science and Technology” by Stephen Wilson, MIT Press. (2002) pp. 267, 274, 277
“EARTHSTAR: A Space Art Eutectic,” 48th International Astronautical Congress, October 6-10, 1997/ Turin, Italy
“COLLISION: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Orbital Debris,” Richard Clar and Dr. Mark Mantel, 46th International Astronautical Congress, October 2-6, 1995/ Oslo, Norway
“SPACE FLIGHT DOLPHIN: An Art-and-Technology Payload for the Space Shuttle,” Richard Clar, Leonardo Vol. 26, Number 4, 1993 p. 293
“Spaced Out Artwork,” The Wall Street Journal (December 10, 1985) p. 1
“Richard Clar,” Art Week (April 13, 1974) p. 16
“Concept Art,” Press-Telegram (April 23, 1972) p. B-1
SELECTED PUBLIC/PRIVATE COLLECTIONS
ARTSblock, Culver Gallery, University of California, Riverside
Computer Museum of America, San Diego, California
MGM Grand Hotel – Las Vegas, Nevada
Home Savings of America – Los Angeles, California
Mr. Arnold Wolf - JBL Sound – Los Angeles, California
Mr. & Mrs. John L. Fox II – Los Angeles, California<
Mr. & Mrs. Larry Tucker – Encino, California
ORGANIZATIONS - PRESENT/PAST
Art Technologies – Director
IAF Technical Activities Committee for the Cultural Utilisation of Space (ITACCUS) – Member
Organizer, Yuri Gagarin at the Café de Flore, Paris 2001
Coordinator, Leonardo/OLATS/IAA Space and the Arts Workshops, 2001 and 2002
Leonardo Space Art Working Group – Member
Board of Directors, Cosmica Network 2001-present
IAA – International Academy of Astronautics:
Full Member
Secretary of the Subcommittee on Art and Literature 1996-1999
Co-chairman, Space Activities and Society Symposiums 1996-2008
Committee on SETI, the Media and Education – Member
SETI Permanent Study Group – Member
IAF – International Astronautical Federation:
International Program Committee – Member
FestivaLong Beach, Advisory Board 1997-2001
National Space Society – Member
Planetary Society – Member
Executive Board of Directors, Graphics Arts Council, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 1974
EDUCATION
1962-65
Chouinard Art Institute – Los Angeles, California