The Inspiration:
Our everyday world that we
experience, that is to say the collective, visual environment that we are
immersed in and travel through on a daily basis, is a complex layering of forms, lines, shades and shadows and
information that we process
instantaneously. That visual environment is ever changing due to many factors
including lighting, point of view and the speed with which we travel through that
environment. It is a constant and ever changing input of visual information
that we experience without realization. A photograph instantly translates the
dynamic world we experience into a static memory of that specific place and
specific time. There will never be another moment that has exactly the same conditions
of information as the time at which a particular photograph was taken….ever. In
that regard, there is no better starting point from which to create a composition
from than a photograph. It is inherently unique, free from artistic intent (at
least in origin), which ensures a creative process of discovery.
The Sangre De Cristo
Arts and Exhibition Center
Hurtig, Gardner,
Froelich, Architects
The Process:
Discover the influential
visual forces of that particular moment, removing all informational content. In
other words, Grass is no longer grass; it is an element in a collection of
elements. There is no shade, shadow or sky; they are just individual elements
that contribute to the moment that dynamic information became static. Note that the iteration below (I’ll call it
Iteration 5) is not the first iteration as I did not record every iteration I
performed. I do however, believe it is a fair representation of capturing of the
elemental forces of the initial image and how those forces began to inform and
lead me to creative discovery.
I like the iteration above,
it has flow and energy and I can honestly say that I would never have created
the composition purely from my imagination and in that sense it truly reflects
the underlying forces of the initial genesis, the photograph of the Sangre De
Cristo Arts Center. If you have read any
of my earlier posts, you know that I am all about the process and where does
the creative investigations take me. What can I do to improve the product? It’s
of critical importance to note that the creative intent was never to recreate a
graphic representation of the image. The intent is to capture the energy and
visual forces of the moment, and use that as a point of departure for creative
exploration and discovery. That journey took me to the iteration shown below.
Iteration 17
Now the piece is developing
a life of its own. Now, rather than taking cues from the initial image, I am
discovering possibilities that are generated from the piece’s own history,
energy and character. In a sense, I am
letting the piece design itself, and am merely guiding its development. Further
explorations lead to the final iteration, the final product of this particular creative
process.
The Solution:
Iteration 33
The epilogue:
I’m satisfied with the
process, where the creative journey led, and ultimately find the end product,
Iteration 33 a compelling and intriguing conclusion to the design exercise. Perhaps the most rewarding aspect of this
investigation is that it inspired me to explore other creative possibilities that
would not be possible had I not travelled down this path of discovery……….
Iteration 1…..
And the process continues……………
RBP
4.25.12
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