Monday, 28. July 2008, 12:55:19
De art enigma
De art enigma is concerned with elements of change; of transformation through partial destruction and rehabilitation - an often violent process through which new qualities and potentials are revealed through the canvases. The style of each subjects found within the frame would practice spans a range of disciplines, themselves imposing elements of change through mutual influence and cross-fertilisation, discovering and celebrating the qualities of materials and delighting in the potential of the "found" object.
The very essence of art enigma demands constant thought, movement, re-evaluation and interim decision-making whereby new ideas are transformed by their interaction with the medium, often suggesting new approaches in using the medium itself and enabling, the pixels to complement each manually and consciously by mutual impact, a more reflective realization of both.
De art enigma shines faces in phases of emotion with "abstract" form as a means of expression, delighting in its ability to indicate say without saying; its ability to imply meditation and contemplation during creation; its versatility in the expression of visual/emotional states - serenity or balanced tension; its ponder ability but concerned with presenting the particulars in which the essence of the art represents.
While much of the work is involved contains references to physical features or specific elements such as texture and patterns constant into other areas of experiencing the enigma is a vehicle through which admirer can reflect upon and react to both inner and outer worlds. Painted or constructed surface - almost turning the act of "painting" or "printmaking" into pure gesture in the search for a new personal aesthetic. The work is about transformation and discovery of innate, inherent qualities of objects and situations, which are clarified and displayed by the juxtaposition of role and context brought about by the working process. I delight in the ability of the found object or "non-art" material to become an expressive medium for me. This is combined with the notion of "transience"- that often my images are of momentary pauses in a process of the evolution, or of general change and transformation quite aesthetically dispersed.
De art enigma metaphors of many things!!!
Wednesday, 7. November 2007, 10:12:23
An interesting synthesis of art and technology
`Design Syndrome,' an exhibition of digital art, on show at Vinyasa Art Gallery
CHENNAI: A few years ago, digital cameras revolutionised the way people took photographs. Today, we have `Photo-shop' on the home computer.
Even recently, digital and hi-definition cameras made their foray into films and have changed the way films are made. Today, we have films without the film.
Now, a 25-year old artist shows us what technology can do to good old art. And thus, we have paintings without the paint.
`Design Syndrome,' an exhibition of digital art by P. Panju, on show at Vinyasa Art Gallery till September 10, is probably the most interesting synthesis of art and technology seen in the city.
Panju's collection of 22 is a result of five years of romancing the computer over Photoshop, Illustrator and Corel Draw.
The labour of love manifests itself through an intense digital mosaic of colours. The mood evoked is surreal throughout. It's abstract and modern, with Hindu symbolism lending its mystical exoticism to the artist's deep, complex themes doused with energy-inducing patterns — twirls, circles and textures borrowed from life, be it the palm imprint or the thumb impression or the texture of the rusted LP lying in the attic. It's a journey that traces the various moods of the contemporary artist. "This one called `Phases of Terror' was done after 911," Panju says pointing to his intense graphic representation of devastation and terror, with hidden sinister faces peeping out of the canvas.
"I used to do these as wallpapers for my computer," says the artist who passed out of Loyola College's visual communication department a few years ago. "My Dad is an artist himself. So when his artist friends came home, they would always ask me to put up an exhibition."
Each image has over fifty layers of images juxtaposed to add depth, dimension and design to the theme. "I always leave it incomplete for months together and then come back and look at it. I work on it some more, add some more elements and when it's finally over, I give it a name. Just like you don't name the baby before its born, I don't name it till it's actually over," explains Panju, who also runs an ad agency called Prapanj Design Studio.
"I couldn't use any of this for my clients. Because, in advertising, you put yourself in a box and come up with ideas to communicate specific ideas," he adds.
He prefers to use these tools for art rather than just commerce.
"These tools provided by technology are available to everyone. So the focus of digital art here is not on technology but on art itself. `Design Syndrome' is the convergence between conception and expression in the digital medium. Each of these pieces has taken me hours and hours spread over months," says Panju. The piece titled `Om' is the one he considers closest to his heart given that it was inspired by the fumes of fire he saw at the temple. "The energy emitting out of the designs created by fire inspired me to come up with this one," he recalls. The undercurrent of mystery and intensity that runs through his `Fallen,' `Palmystery,' `Tantric Tandava,' `Touch of Sin,' `Cosmic Chakra,' and `Phases of Terror' make the exhibition a near-spiritual experience.
WIDGETIZE