Update:
I have asked for some more in depth background information from our main exhibitor, Matthew Thomas
about his fascinating images as there have been many questions from the
staff of the companies within MerseyBIO today as I hung the show.
This
series of works (Kaloseisdos), utilises the fibonacci series of numbers.
This is to merge the the world of art and science together to make
works that can have a sense of 'controlled chaos' about them.
He
believes that art and science have the same working ethos with many
experiments having to be made to get the 'right' or correct result.
Matthew repeats the process several times to explore different
perspectives and to essentially make sure his theories are 'working'
correctly. The sense of knowing that you have achieved what you have set
out to do is shared by both art AND science. 'Kaloseisdos' is a
window onto that world. To achieve the 'concept' of a kind beauty,
within the Fibonacci number series.
Taking
his inspiration from the merging of Art and Science through 'natures
number' (the number series that defines and quantifies beauty), he has
created a series of images that mirror this 'formula'.
Each image, deliberately shot on a black background, has within it, the code of life.
Each
plant, shows its inner 'spirit' has its own glow, through the absence
of light behind it. this reveals the life / energy exuding and pulsing /
emerging from the verdant form. 72 degrees of rotation, frames of
reference that incorporate the 0,1,1, 2, 3, 5, 8 and so on.
There
is spontaneity within this mathematical conundrum, as he uses the
number series to create these works and not his own 'aesthetic' values.
The Fibonacci Series
By
definition, the first two numbers in the Fibonacci sequence are 0 and
1, and each subsequent number is the sum of the previous two. (0,1, 1,
2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, 377, 610)
The
Fibonacci sequence is named after Leonardo of Pisa, who was known as
Fibonacci. Fibonacci's 1202 book Liber Abaci introduced the sequence to
Western European mathematics, although the sequence had been described
earlier in Indian mathematics. (By modern convention, the sequence
begins with F0 = 0. The Liber Abaci began the sequence with F1 = 1,
omitting the initial 0, and the sequence is still written this way by
some.)
Fibonacci
numbers are closely related to Lucas numbers in that they are a
complementary pair of Lucas sequences. They are intimately connected
with the golden ratio, for example the closest rational approximations
to the ratio are 2/1, 3/2, 5/3, 8/5, …and so on. Applications include
computer algorithms such as the Fibonacci search technique and the
Fibonacci heap data structure, and graphs called Fibonacci cubes used
for interconnecting parallel and distributed systems. They also appear
in biological settings, such as branching in trees, arrangement of
leaves on a stem, the fruit spouts of a pineapple, the flowering of
artichoke, an uncurling fern and the arrangement of a pine cone.
Music
It
may seem odd that 'numbers' can appear in music and poetry, but there
are many examples where great composers and poets have deliberately
applied Golden Ratio proportions to the structure of their compositions.
Mozart
is undoubtedly the finest example of such a composer. His piano sonatas
have some characteristics in common: Each one is divided into two
sections. The first is always the one in which the theme of the piece is
represented, and the second is always the section in which the theme is
treated with different variations. Almost always, Mozart's sonatas are
divided in such a way that the division occurs on the Golden Ratio
point.
Beethoven,
too, used Golden Ratio proportions in his works by repeating certain
parts of the music at intervals consistent with the Golden Ratio (that
is, the verse is played at the beginning, at the end, and once at the
point where the piece is 0.618 of the way through). Beethoven's Fifth
Symphony is a fine example of this division.These 'hidden' references to
the Golden Ratio are not limited to classical music, though. In modern
music, there have been quite a few examples of how artists have
referenced Fibonacci in their works. For example, Marilyn Manson – the
gothic-inspired musician, photographer, painter and writer – has on
numerous occasions made reference to Fibonacci (either directly or
indirectly).
Also (from a review by jeanine.marteau), the spectra images
Spectra:
As
the colour blossoms from within the image and expands out it is almost
as if the frame restricts the blast and restrains its liquid, silky
flow. It is captivating and somewhat tactile because of the multiple
surface layers, you almost want to go further into the material and
follow its glide, let it twist you around and submerge you in colour.
I
found the series at first look quite ambiguous and enjoyed the thought
of each piece being open, be it open to interpretation or open in terms
of freedom- to let yourself be drawn into the image’s sweeping form to
explore it’s imaginative space, without trying to grasp direct meaning.
Here’s what the artist himself said:
“I
try and not use the same methods for each project, this brings a fresh
impetuous to truly explore all the possibilities.I use photography and
digital imaging technologies to create visceral layers that question
historical and cultural concepts of time”
Images
made from ‘solid liquid light’ – fused glass. Only existing in the mind
and realised with aid of computer software, this represents a solid
dream. Transparent paint that floats in abstract form. 2D Sculpture that
looks real (from real fused glass). This gives an unreality which
meditation mixes with imagination. The reality of abstraction. From the
real to the unreal. Reach out and you can touch the subjects is the
photos, except you know they are not real. This holds a mirror up to our
society, the ephemeral nature of our existence and the role we all have
to play in the transparent.
Matthew Thomas
Artist / Photographer
Matthew
is an award winning artist / photographer with over twenty years
experience as a professional, shooting portraits and behind-the-scenes
documentary images. He has won numerous commissions photographing a wide
spectrum of images for films,theatre and Carnivals both here (UK) and
the West-Indies.He has been featured in 'Object of Dreams' and Black and
White Photography' magazines. Now a concept photographer for musicians
bands and corporate clients, he has shot many musical genres over the
years from heavy metal to hip-hop bands.
Matthews
background is from the classical tradition of painting and printmaking.
He uses all these experiences in his Exhibition / Photographic work.
Matthew exhibits his fine art work widely (including this year in
Barbados!).
Posts
"Perhaps it is the idea of the momento mori, the idea that life is
transitory, or perhaps that the objects within a painting are somehow
carrying on a dialogue with each other, but whatever it is, I find the
subject endlessly stimulating and fascinating. The painting of the
varying textures and the way that the
surfaces reflect light constantly challenge the artist and the spaces
between the objects become just as important as the objects themselves.
In the tradition of "nature morte" I am attracted to paint
things that are cast off and have no importance. I find objects in
charity shops or sometimes in the detritus of the street or on the sea
shore. I am trying, through painting them with the same attention and
scrutiny as more precious objects, to reclaim them from being simply
overlooked. Life drawing and painting are also important to me as a
change
from the static nature of the still lives to the more spontaneous
capturing of a momentary gesture. In addition I have lately been doing
landscapes of the country side around West Kirby and portraits."
