Title: “Grok”
(Acrylic)
90x90cm
THE IDEA BEHIND THE
PAINTING
The word “Grok” is new. It was invented by the author Robert
Heinlein. It means to intimately and
completely share the same reality or line of thinking with another physical or
conceptual entity. According to
Wikipedia grokking is the intermingling of intelligence that necessarily
affects the observer and the observed.
This painting is about networks and networking and its social affects.
Artistic techniques
used in the painting:
The advent of
computer technology has not made the human race any happier. In fact it seems to have restricted human
qualities such as communication, relationship and love. It is based on the binary system of mathematics,
and I would predict, as humanity evolves the human brain will develop with a
bias to extreme thinking – the human race will develop a “binary brain”. All nuances in the spectrum between the two
poles of any continuum will disappear leaving just the two extremes. This will be reflected throughout all levels
of life, ie. religion, wealth distribution, political ideologies etc. It is happening now.
In this
painting I used a wide variation of colour on the spectrum Blue/Orange. There are many variation of Phthalo Blue used.
Also I used an Orange made from a blend of Fluoro Orange and Vermillion.
I
intentionally made the Orange constant and flat to contrast with the dynamics
seen in the abstract subject which is the point of focus. This abstract subject
is what represents the networking as per the internet. The Orange “hybrid” colour is derived from two
colour types, which gives the painting its intense impact and adds to its edginess.
Orange and Blue are complimentary
opposites and are meant to have this effect.
They are extremes on a spectrum of opposites, just as Black and White
are extremes.
White is used
in this painting to get the Aqua but Black is not used. Alizarin Crimson is mixed with Prussian Blue
to get the Blackish colour.
The concept
of “connectivity” as implied by the title “Grok” is considered and examined
throughout the process of creating this piece.
There is no
right way to hang this painting. I leave
that to each individual’s taste. The
painting is technically balanced but also poses a sense of imbalance with the
main subject disappearing off the canvas.
This imbalance creates tension which was my intent for this
painting. I do not feel that modern technology
has created balance and harmony – in fact I feel that it has increased
edginess.
The defused plane
of Tan colour that obscures part of the main point of focus represent the
future which is uncertain and cloudy.
There is no
way a viewer could ignore this painting.
It is meant to be “in your face” through the colours used and its
composition. It is about the “Brave New
World” of our future. However I do not
necessarily see the future in a pessimistic way. Nevertheless, we all need to be consciously
aware in the moment and not assign our individual responsibility to others who
seek “control” of our hearts and minds through advertising and the mass media
which includes the internet. It is used as the banner for this blog.
No comments:
Post a Comment