My interest in non-figurative work began immediately upon introduction. I am more interested in how we think rather than what we think. Systems, sequences and visual logistics, deconstruct and reconstruct the ordinary into the extraordinary. Reductionism is as revealing as it is infinitely diverse and exciting.
Recently, I exhibited “Bending The Rule” at Togonon Gallery, which examines the formalities and informalities of the rules for scaling a rectangle. This study resulted in a cryptic narrative of 24 sequential compositions comprised of 4 visual sentences each containing 6 separate components. I refer to these panels as freeze frames of rational thought. Visualizing how we think. The stark aesthetics of these works challenge the viewer to follow a simple yet progressive visual logic that concludes with an understanding of a simply complex mathematical equation. A universal visual language.
Currently, I have extended my investigations in numerical/geometric harmonics by deconstructing classical illusionism or 3 point perspective. I have approached this by drawing forts that I built out of tomato stakes at the age of 9. At the time I was in parochial school and the story of Babel was the topic of study. Accordingly, I titled these drawings Babel – Pre, Post and Neo Nimrod. It is one thing to build the forts and quite another to draw them in 3 point perspective, all the while confounding the fundamentals of illusion.
In February of ‘10 Julina Togonon introduced me to Marlina Gonzalez’s vision and curatorial brief for Instructions for Peace. I instantly bonded with the idea and the potential of working with used discards of lumber from The Freedom Towers. Bending the Rule and Babel were front and center but instead of the stark aesthetics and formalities the elements have now transformed into chaos – a cause for Peace. The uncanny parallel of the Tower of Babel and The World Trade Center Twin Towers cannot be overlooked – both ended in the confounding of man, both stood for strength and were built on vulnerabilities. The Solace found in an igloo or beaver dam may be a likely antidote by contrast.
More importantly, we must understand that Peace is not an entitlement – we must all consciously work united and endless in our pursuit of IT.
Stay tuned for more information regarding Instructions for Peace.
More about Ag http://www.allenguilmette.com
