The Elements of Design in “Quest for Innovation”
We are all a product of our times and experiences, which dictates how we perceive symbolism in our world. An example is the idea of using a boiler furnace to depict the reservoir of all man’s accumulated knowledge. It also provides the symbol of the path and struggle in the process of learning using the view of open vents or channels to the light within.
The element of knowledge is represented by the light and color as it flows out from the hands and over the entire canvas. The light in the hands represents the new knowledge the person has created and is introducing to the world. The lines of blue and red radiating from the hands represent the knowledge spreading as it is presented. Every line of color flows away from the central figure and is eventually drawn back into the other vents, to be added to the whole of man’s accumulated knowledge. We struggle for years to collect the knowledge we seek. We spend years using our knowledge in an effort to make a contribution, and when we have done so, we struggle to share it for the benefit of all. Once that is accomplished, our contribution is added to the historical collection and the cycle of knowledge continues.
To fuse the different elements of design into a cohesive statement, Matricism was the perfect glue. If you note the strings of dots flowing across the surface, I used the idea of strings of knowledge like DNA, which they say possess all the knowledge of our individuality and commonality. Our strings consist of the fruits of our studies and contributions to society in all their various forms. You will note that through the strings you can identify the forms and space of the environment along with the human form emerging from the vent. This is done by assigning the “value” of each dot of color based on the degree of light or darkness of the solid form of the face and environment. The “hue” of each dot of color is decided upon by the color of the line of knowledge flowing in front of the substance behind them.
A third element of color in this painting involves the analysis of depth to create the illusion of dots receding into the picture plane, flowing into the vents. Here we have assigned the element of “intensity”, the third part of a color decision, needed to create the illusion of depth. As seen in this cube, the space within is divided into a set of three-dimensional coordinates. This gives us the numerical structure for the location and designation of the intensity of each dot of color we apply to our painting. We are working with nine levels of value and six levels of neutrality.
This painting holds an unbelievable number of dots and took me most of six months to complete. It is my art done for discovery within the theme of the quest itself.
The final element of design involves the yellow lines flowing from the hands out into a round burst of light, not unlike huge fireworks going off. The yellow dots do not use the element of “hue” from the facial image. We draw it from the form of an explosion of light in front of the face. By using the explosion pattern as the criteria for hue and values in yellow, I was allowed to harmoniously incorporate the explosion into the whole of the design. I wanted to represent the idea that a new contribution to knowledge, be it a new theory of physics, a new technology, a new medication, or maybe a new way to create a painting, they all can have a profound implication and an “explosive” impact on society.
