A symbol is a particular visual mark that represents some piece of information. Symbols, as a form of communication, have been scratched onto rocks by cavemen and used by physicists employing powerful computers to explain string theory. Some symbols may only be understood in a certain place or time in history or by those educated in a certain field of endeavor. Rather than represent historical eras in a literal sense, the materials and symbols I use, are suggestive of a particular time and place.
The first panel in this series was created for an exhibition at Adelphi University titled Alchemy. That exhibit and my accompanying lecture concerned the link between chemistry and art. This original composition employs the symbols the alchemists used in medieval times; and since they were the precursors of modern chemists, only chemicals on copper were used to create this work.
Bronze Age, was created using chemistry on copper. After I made the copper look like aged bronze, I researched the languages of the time, and within each symbol are very ornate designs that do not repeat.
Primitive's symbols are burned into wood; a common substrate used by primitive peoples, and the frame constructed for this work is made from found tree bark. The substrate for Iron Age is not iron, which is a very heavy metal, but blue steel, an alloy with a high iron content. Lydian Tablet is a plaster on plaster artwork consistent with the materials and tools used by artisans of that time and place. Indus is the only artwork in this series to use paint on both the colorful background and the faux Sanskrit symbols. In Lanna Kingdom, I pieced together the fabric background before painting on the Thai symbols and adding beads.
Japanese calligraphy dates back to ancient times, as does their use of patination on metals. In the Kana panel, the antique calligraphy is brushed on with various chemicals.
In Runic, a ceramic, wood and metal artwork in which the circular symbols represent Viking marks. Coupling, is based on early electrical symbols and is made from copper, glass and yarn on aluminum. The next panel Ge'ez is no longer spoken however it is still used in Ethiopian liturgy. Both the colors and alphabet used in Cherokee are authentic.
During our era, a time of rampant selfies, this art which reflects historic societal changes will hopefully remind us that we are part of a continuum bigger than ourselves. The Ice Age, Bronze Age, Industrial Revolution, Computer Revolution, etc. each profoundly affected mankind propelling progress and contributing to who we are today.
