German artist Jürgen Trautwein's new series "Silent Topography" presents works on paper with surfaces that mimic how the eye captures zoomed in patterns in nature and conversely, a perspective where the vantage point is from zooming out, as in aerial photos and topography maps.
Where Trautwein's work might recall certain abstract field paintings of the 60's with densely textured surfaces that build a heavy object in physical form and emotion, his process results in pictures that are light, not labored. He layers paint on found papers, (some being old airport blueprints,) crumples the paper, which reveals random intricate lines and colored shapes and tones. The chaotic but meditative result suggests natures's dual character of delivering tragedy one minute, serenity the next. Simultaneously, Jurgen's work illustrates 21rst century changes in the process of painting.
New York artist Sam Stabler presents his works on paper for the first time at 60SIX. He creates his cut-outs by beginning with detailed drawings based on "old master" paintings interspersed with references from modern culture (film, advertising, almost anything you can think of); he then masterfully cuts out elaborate shapes and lines from the drawings, in the end flipping the piece over to show the reverse side...an abstract web of texture and shadow. Unrelated yet interconnected pictures made of empty space draw the viewer deeply into a sort of visual puzzle. The works are ultimately concerned with line, movement and surface tension. Whether there is any meaning in the hidden icons might be the point.
click link to download Kenneth Baker Review May 2013
http://www.terpstradesign.com/topographyKenBakerReview/
