topography of the psyche 1
Heightfields are an iconic form in computer graphics – we’ve all seen them. I am using this form as another strategy to reveal psyche.
Using a drafting program (AutoCAD), a collection of points were distributed using NETTT architecture, across a flat empty field (the x-y plane). Then the points were raised and lowered up and down manually (along the z-axis), also according to NETTT architecture. The arbitrary distribution of points according to this process renders a document of psyche in the resulting forms which serve as ‘readings’.
It is an exercise that is simple enough that the activity becomes mundane. When that happens, the gestures captured end up conveying inner state with the highest fidelity as they are not being distorted, altered, and made more complicated and confused by the intention of the author. I was not trying to ‘be creative’, convey a narrative, or craft a composition – I was just performing a mundane task – filling up space and that’s it. The act of deliberate composition by an author adds another layer of complexity and distortion that only serve to further obscure the information being gathered.
Since point placement was arbitrary, the activity formed a direct channel for all of the aspects of state that lie outside of immediate awareness – the subconscious, the unconscious, habits, mood, personality, environment, and on. All of the aspects of psyche and awareness that operate automatically and, on a day-to-day basis, without much deliberate interference.
Diagrams of psyche.
That being said, these images are meant to be received by viewers as artworks, and that is the mode within which interpretations may be understood: pre-language, sensation, atmosphere, mood, ‘vibe’ – the way that meaning is encoded in artwork – for example, how playing a certain song will evoke powerful memories.
The image below has been made into an acrylic painting, approx. 1 1/2 m x 3 m, on roll-up canvas and 8.5″ x 17″ prints – click store buttons for details.
topography of the psyche 1
topography of the psyche 2
This is yet another work in progress. I plan to make more paintings. I am also planning on developing a web app that will allow users to use simple actions to generate the height field and then allow navigation (‘fly-though’) afterwards, creating an animation – thereby allowing participants to fly over and examine the data that is a reading of their own psyche. I also plan to develop a mode where users may alter the landscape in real time with, again, simple actions. Snapshots can be taken along the way and paintings, prints, and even t-shirts may be made from the resulting images. The Cubes Project adopts a similar approach. Here are some examples of the t-shirts I speak of (clicking the images will take you to my online store):
3 – t-shirt
3 – long sleeve
details:
