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Artist Stephen M. Burns |
| PO Box 235073 | |
| Encintas, Ca 92023-5073 | |
| Phone: 760 436-9921 | |
| e-mail: [email protected] |
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Artist
Statement
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| The genesis of the Chrome Allusion
process was one which went beyond merely eliciting an emotional response
and aimed instead at the spiritual in art. In expressing the spiritual,
I bring out an infusion of energy pulsating through, in and around my imagery
thus giving each creation a life of its own. The energy principle is best
stated by Maholy Nagy's Vital Construction Theory," Vital construction
is the embodiment of life and the principle of all human and cosmic development.
Transposed into art it now means the activation of space by dynamic-constructive
systems of energy, i.e. the inter-construction of energies actually opposed
in physical space, and their construction into space, which likewise functions
as energy. " Chrome Allusion is about energy composed in such a way
that the viewer senses in the work an embodiment of life on a rhythmical
scale.
Chrome Allusion suggests a fresh approach to harmony in that it appeals through color, form, rhythm and void to the sixth sense we all possess yet seldom utilize. The void is the spiritual emptiness in our beings that demands to be filled. I liken it to the eye of a tornado. The exterior of the tornado moves all in its path with great force and chaos. The eye, on the other hand is where all controlling force subsides and all is at peace. Its exterior has no control over the eye yet the very nature and fabric of the tornado is dependent on its influence. The same is true with the void in our beings. We are conscious of its presence but we have no control over its influence. Yet, we can experience through this void the spiritual connection of all things and assimilate this into our daily lives, and in the process we begin to fill this space. I like to challenge the viewer's psyche through presenting the unknown. I combine the animate with the inanimate because we are inseparable from our environment and the energies that impact upon us. I use several unrelated images to create one harmonious Chrome Allusion which is a unique in form. Each work is made with no preconceived notion as to what the final image will become. 35mm transparencies are manipulated in every conceivable way to produce spontaneous textures, colors and forms. Using chemicals I can alter consecutively the color layers of the transparency on an entire or localized region. Other means like etching and burning also aid the creative effect. I try to bring forth new forms of nature as opposed to recording nature like orthodox photography. My nudes, for example, may subtly transform into what appears to be a wall of peeling paint, or fungi may emanate from the surface of a woman's body. Color is extremely important to me because it can evoke certain elements in our psyche. By varying intensities and contrasts a spiritual vibration is set up which can generate new awareness in the viewer. On a simple level, colors such as red might denote qualities like will-power, freedom, vitality, action while blue could reflect love, spiritual enlightenment, gentleness etc. If those qualities are accessed in the artwork the viewer should relate to the work on more of a spiritual and psychological level rather than merely emotional. It is important that my creations are contemplated in an analytical manner in order to really appreciate them. It is important that the viewer receives a harmonious experience. After all, the viewer is the end-product and the goal of art is the stimulation of the imagination |
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