06 April 2015

1, 2, 3

Did I already mention this book I've been reading?  I started making the "Ellipse" paintings a few months before I began reading the book, and I'm finding it very interesting, the correlations between the ideas in the book and in this work.  

steel sky woman silence

Silence - and sound - are very important to me.  For example I often work in silence in the studio.  Also I avoid places that have ambient music of the sort that is designed to create a "brand tone".  Do you know what I mean?  Mall music!  It makes me anxious to the point of being physically uncomfortable.  The claustrophobic effect of shopping malls is based largely on their aural atmosphere.  This is true of some restaurants and pubs, too.  And don't even get me started on advertising noise!  *laughs*  

silence verna vogel

silence verna vogel

verna vogel silence

So I am making work which in some way provides a space for silence.  I am trying to make silent paintings.  This does not mean there is nothing there.  It means that there is space, an open space to think and feel, room to move.  Yes?  I hope so.

verna vogel silence







6 comments:

Unknown said...

Great paintings Verna!

verna said...

Thanks Christian :)

Barbara Muir said...

I do love these paintings -- and the idea of room. I think my paintings are all about conversations of some sort -- so probably very noisy. I too crave silence -- like the silence of my house now late at night. But I love people too, so I enjoy their noises -- random and happy in busy spots.

Love, love, love your work and your thoughts.

XOXOXOXO Barbara

P.D. Crumbaker said...

Off to take a book-look! The eclipse works are thought-provoking. I'm thinking of things partially obscured and our fascination with them, the interconnectedness of things (I remember a change in weather pattern for a brief period following a total eclipse years ago). Ramble, ramble. Nice post, as usual.

Verna Vogel said...

Hi Barbara,

Yes, I think you are bang-on about your paintings being conversations. Maybe that's why they appeal to me - I spend a lot of time alone and really appreciate conversation when it happens.

Hi P.D.

Change in weather pattern following a total eclipse... that is very interesting. The interconnectedness of things has often been described in circular terms, I think. Something for me to think about.

Thank you both for your ongoing conversations here, your thoughts are much appreciated.

:)
V

Verna Vogel said...

Oops, I just accidentally deleted P.D.'s comment about how perhaps I will do an "eclipse" series following the "ellipse", hehee.

Who knows, maybe. Eclipses are pretty cool. :)