Floating Squares, 2009, hand-dyed wool on linen. 2 pieces, each 19.5 x 8 inches
When I first put this finished work up on the wall, I felt a bit disappointed; I had deliberately used slightly different colors as backgrounds for the blue and green squares and I thought that the differences were too great; I should have had the same variegation in each piece. But on looking and seeing the piece better, I've come to the thought that the differences are right for the moods of each part of the diptych. The blue square, surrounded by cool, bluish toned wool, has an air of floating in evening light; the green square, which has descended to the bottom of the panel, is in a warmer yellow field, with the brightness of morning. Does the work have an Asian aesthetic, because of its inspiration?
The Squares appear to be Wampum beads resting on the soft textured backgrounds. Just lovely!
ReplyDeleteCheryl
I just looked up wampum beads, and yes, the loops of the rug hooking can seem like beads strung into a pattern; a vivid metaphor.
ReplyDeletewhen I look at these the word that comes to mind is:
ReplyDeletesuccinct. very succinct, non-decorative statements.
thanks, rapp. I was thinking something along these lines yesterday: instead of Pound's "Make it new", I'd like to "keep it simple".
ReplyDeleteI really like the variation in the backgrounds on these Altoon. Is it based on a variation in the dying of the fabric itself? Just a thought with regard to your observation about the differences, could it also be an optical trick of the eye to perceive the background warmer against green than against blue? I notice if I cover the blue and green squares it appears more evenly distributed in background color as a pair.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you like the background variation, Mona. If you look back at the post "Floating Squares in Progress" from October 26th, you'll see two photos of the fabric I spot-dyed to get the variations in color. There were areas of the fabric that were yellower or bluer or greener, lighter or darker, and I chose them differently to background the different colored squares. It is not just an optical trick of the eye, the colors are actually different; not vastly different, but of a degree that's noticeable. Of course, we always have to remember that we're seeing this online, a very imperfect medium.
ReplyDelete