Tsunami (Flow)

This art work is a 14 piece mixed media on wood panel (16 in actual). It depicts a dynamic flow of abstracted imagery jumbled up in a tsunami force-like impact. This piece also memorialize the event that took place in Japan.

The imagery were abstracted as layers of superimposed shapes are added by arbitrary and random selection. Individual panel pieces were first cut to size and then worked on as multiple layers were added. The work evolved as all 16 pieces start to collect layer by layer.

Composition was extremely important in denoting how it would look. In this picture, it was displayed in a long horizontal piece that connected individually. This piece can also be connected in a four row and column composition or a giant square, as it was originally made to be adjustable to different composition. But figuring out the right piece to go to certain position can be more complex than how it looks. Each piece connected somehow to complete another.

Cartographic-like drawing designs were lastly added to give more character and complexity to the dynamic flow of the piece. All-in-all, the piece resulted in a dynamic piece.

For more examples of this series of work called Convolution click below...

Cadence

In this particular sculpture, I focused on formalism of art. Using formalist idea I produced Cadence. I used repetition as part of the Elements and Principles of Art, and the idea of binary opposition, which is having the idea of complementing forces.

I used repetition to create the hanging pieces. Repetition has been an interest of mine and I have been using it amply in my works. It produces an interesting abstraction as one element was repeated. Then, I added a gradient texture on the surface of the hanging pieces to give it more character, pattern and interest. The texture also implied the idea of repetition to create a continuum and cohesive patterns. The pattern on the strips of metal was heavy on the bottom and gradated to the top. I added one corroding piece to displace the entirety of the repetition, creating the idea of a binary opposition. The displacement gave a different touch to the unison of the hanging pieces. However different in color and texture, the displacement of the piece completed an overall cohesive flow.

The idea of binary opposition was to show the complementing idea of elements and concept. In this case the natural weathering of the wood and of that one piece connoted a natural decaying idea, and its binary opposition of the galvanized metal showed a new manufactured pristine look.

The shadow became an integrated element that added dimension to the piece. I always take advantage of that natural element. That unexpected element was a good addition to the piece.


Detail of the sculpture:

The sculpture is made of wood and various metals. (Additional pictures: http://www.zhibit.org/paolomejia/cadence )