Our understanding of space has changed. In the past, scientists thought space was an empty vacuum of nothingness containing isolated objects. Now they have discovered that space is a connecting field like an ocean of energy. Particles emerge and recede like fish jumping out of a twinkling sea. Matter can be viewed as the fish caught in the net of our space-time dimension.
This is a new landscape - the border between energy and matter. Ideas, being articulated now by the scientific community include quantum physics, string theory, systems theory, holographic theory, among others. As an artist I find this current scientific research exciting and meaningful. New models of reality are encouraging "outside the box" thinking. Contemporary science is articulating what many ancient spiritual traditions have long been saying: we are all deeply interconnected.
Everything is made of quanta, energy packets, that act like and in fact are both a particle and a wave.
The new physics is non-linear, irrational, organic, dance-like, full of wonder and uncertainty - just like the creative process itself. The Newtonian framework has been called classical physics. Generally, Newton's sense of space was linear and predictable. The universe was seen as a giant machine. Time and space existed separate from humanity. People had no affect on either. Isolated objects existed in empty space that followed deterministic laws. Believing in these views, no wonder humans have felt lonely, isolated, and separated from the universe.
Now the quantum physics framework reveals a universe that is often curved, capable of expansion or compression and is responsive and connected to consciousness. Space itself is a sea of energy where particles are constantly coming in and out of existence. Quantum scientists have proved that a conscious observer changes that which is observed. Just by being conscious observers, we change what is.
My aspiration in this series is to make what has been termed cerebral folk art. (Blair, "Artists on Artists: Steve DiBenedetto", Bomb, 2003). These scientific ideas are barely 100 years old. I want to bring the impersonal concepts of science to the realm of personal experience. I do not attempt to illustrate scientific ideas in a literal way. I simply let the ideas float around in my brain and then I paint. Mostly, I am struck by the amazing realization that....
we are participating in this creation game.
If you're interested in learning more about these theories click here.
HOW I MAKE MY PAINTINGS
The shaped panels are made by scanning drawings into the computer program Coreldraw. The digitized drawings are then transferred to a computer controlled router table. This router cuts the shapes from 3/4 inch medium density plywood or a PVC material called Komacell. The panels are then sanded, primed and painted with oil-based paints.
