Sunday, November 14, 2010

Hiroshi Sugimoto ~ The intersection of Art and Science

There is a wonderful article in the New York Times art section on the work of Hiroshi Sugimoto. His new body of work, "Lightning Field" contains photograms of light made without the camera...and they are stunning.

Hiroshi Sugimoto, Courtesy of Pace Gallery

"He generates his lightning photographs without a camera, rather like a photogram. But instead of placing an object on photo-sensitive paper, then exposing it to light, he produces the image by causing electrical sparks to erupt over the film’s surface. The process “creates a similar situation to the first meteorite hitting the Earth.." excerpt from the NYT...you can see the entire article HERE.

Lightning Fields 198, 2009

Lightning Fields 168, 2009

It seems that many photographers are searching for the light, the beginning, the essence of what it means to be alive. Hiroshi Sugimoto "conceived of “The Day After” as a spectacular sound-and-light installation focused on the origins of life and the intersection of art and science."

I am then reminded of the amazing work of Michael Flomen whose work explores light generated by the firefly at nighttime, again, thru the photogram.

Contact 2001, Michael Flomen



I heard world renown conservationalist and naturalist E. O Wilson speak yesterday at the Chicago Humanities Festival and was so taken by his passion and wisdom. The intersection of science and art is fascinating. Both artists and scientists approach their work with curiosity and a sense of wonder and experimentation. The creative impulse is an amazing gift.

I am reminded of a line from the song, La Vie Boheme from the play Rent...
The Opposite Of War
Isn't Peace...
It's Creation...

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