P e r c e p s h i o n
“What do we actually see? How well do we see it? How can we translate our discoveries into meaningful work?”
- Josef Albers
P e r c e p s h i o n is an art series that explores the use of our presence in the world
to observe (micro + macro),
to exercise awe; wonder; and curiosity,
to draw lessons from and learn,
so we can ultimately (do the work to) shape our lives —
become in-tune with ourselves and
the multi-faceted wonders of this beautiful world (so we can translate our discoveries into meaningful work).
Series 1 :
to observe(micro+macro)
focus and feel to enhance perception
lines, architectures and patterns
The world of milkweeds is a surreal one. Small details--stem curls, elongated castle pods, hollow silk filaments that catch light adorn this world. May we expand our perceptions of 'weeds' to see their magic.
The leaf though dry and brittle is a home for the eggs (little dots) on it. May we know that love holds us even when we are unable to hold ourselves.
Biodiversity shines in a ditch. Plant species have evolved to fulfil this niche-- to make a sludgy ditch a sight to stand and stare.
Witch hazel fruits and mushrooms
Wislawa Symbroshka--a poet describes that miracles are for all, the clouds are miracles--homes of life and water
A spider's net is also a display of pine-fascicle patters that swing to the slightest movement of breeze.
Cells--veins--leaf--tree--forests. Start small, be patient, you will get there.
we are surrounded by the most intricate designs, architectures and patterns, look closely and you will always find a world never seen before.
“Learn to see and to feel life, cultivate imagination, because there are still marvels in the world, because life is a mystery and always will be.
But be aware of it. . . . Art means: you have to believe, to have faith, that is, to cultivate vision."
- Josef Albers
Series 2:
to exercise awe; wonder; and curiosity
color is perception, perception is color.
see what is not obvious, enhance perception
evening light shifting the color of chlorophyll from green to golden glow
grey winter highlights hidden pinks and yellos
the umbrella crown of this Redbud enhances deep purples in the bark
color is motion while driving past forests creates. long colorful streaks weave the car windows
light at 5.35pm (summer) next to a lake provides a window into viewing underlying tones of otherwise brown/grey rocks
observe carefully, observe deeply, perhaps the strands of green clovers are of several tones
if what you are eating is colorful, then perhaps you are too
grass is being mowed somewhere in the neighborhood. we haven't mowed in a while--colors resurface, bloom and flourish
The trees know that it is almost spring, they have been oozing with joy. We collected their joy in the form of walnut-syrup.
“Out of clutter, find simplicity,
From discord, find harmony,
In the middle of difficulty lies opportunities”
—Albert Einstein
Series 3:
to draw lessons from and learn
patterns are everywhere, find the one that speaks to you
—Percept
(leaf-shadow) dapples: a patch or spot of color or light. learning to draw dapples--to translate wonder into work (what 'research' means)
dapples in a lake. what appears to be blue ovals slowly turns dark green, alternating with distance. change increases dream-possibility
dapples on a slow river. shadows in the water trace box alder's leaves above them. shadows highlight what is bright.
some rocks are in the shade while others in the sun. learning to live with shadows-- a lesson.
the sun-shimmers in a stream next to some reeds invited me to draw them, and to share. learn and spread the shimmer. so it goes on..
“Sometimes there’s only a hint, a possibility
what’s magical, sometimes has deeper roots than reason.
I hope everyone knows that.”
- Mary Oliver, Such Silence poem
series 4:
a possibility, is a perception:
tune into oneself, expand, grow from within
gather observations, translate to work
Cedrus deodara (Himalyan Cedar)'s shutter- cone whorls are glaucous blue-green varnished with resin, slowly pop open, releasing mature seeds.
Paulownia tomentosa's (Princess tree) seeds are dormant, light and papery (seeds illustrated with paper cuttings) cupped in a boat like pod, waiting to be awakened by cold stratification.
Cedrus deodara (Himalyan Cedar)'s seed case architecture is precise and protects seeds until maturity, when they can fly freely.
Enlarged leaves depict autumnal changes, red anthocyanin pigments become more visible as green chlorophyll fades away.
Toyon berries
The symbiosis between a fig wasp and the fig is a fascinating story