Quayola Topologies

The Strata Series

Strata’ is an ongoing project begun in 2007, compromising of a series of films, prints and site-specific installations.
The term ‘Strata’ defines a geological formation constructed of multiple layers of rock; it refers specifically to the idea of relative time, whereby each layer is differentiated from the next through its definite characteristics, its porosity, its texture, its colour, composition. In short it defines a manner of identifying breaks within organic evolution, a visual metaphor for a history composed not so much as a linear process but as an accumulation of signifiers over time: what is known in geology as deep time. It is within the exploration of this ‘depth’ that the project ‘Strata’ takes form, toying with the construction and deconstruction of our solidified perception of classical art, architecture and iconography. Operating within the landscape of classical aesthetics; the geometric perfection which lies behind the figuration of the Renaissance, the opulence of the Baroque, or the rigour and integrity of Gothic architecture, Strata strives to reach and unveil what lies beneath the figurative complexity of each icon and structure. It delves under the surface of the image, deconstructing it, reducing it to its essential co-ordinates, colours, geometries; stripping it of its symbolic function. Yet through this very process Strata also constructs; generating topographic maps, linear pathways and structures which pulsate, scatter, hang suspended diverging from the origin to the point of another origination; the production of a living abstract landscape. Through this metamorphic process, Strata not only aims at altering one’s perception of the iconic symbolism contained within the architectures but renews an interest in the calculative, generative and arithmetical qualities that lie dormant behind the details of a masterpiece.

Topologies is a new instalment of the Strata Series.

Differently from the previous Strata pieces, Topologies does not describe a process of transformation, rather it focuses into the observation of objects that are already fully transformed. The subjects of these new pieces are two iconic paintings from the Prado Museum’s collection: “Las Meninas” of Velazquez and “L’ Immacolata Concezione” of Tiepolo. Following the rules behind their visual composition and colours, the two masterpieces have been transformed into digital fabrications through the use of custom software. Topologies consist in the exploration of the digital objects created by this transformation process. The outcome is not a narrative film but rather separate objects of contemplation... Literally “digital paintings”.

biography:

Quayola je vizuelni umetnik iz Londona. Njegova umetnička praksa obuhvata video, zvuk, fotografiju, instalacije, performans i print. Quayola stvara svetove u kojima čvrsta materija, poput određenih struktura iz prirode ili arhitekture, mutira u efemerne objekte, čime stvarno i veštačko koegzistiraju u harmoniji.

Spajajući kompjuterski generisane sadržaje sa video i fotografskim zapisima, on istražuje dvoznačnost realizma u digitalnom okruženju.

Budući da istovremeno realizuje i umetničke i komercijalne projekte, Quayola na inteligentan način manipuliše medjima koji se najčešće smatraju nespojivim.

Trenutno se bavi vizuelnim umetnostima, grafičkim dizajnom i režijom, i sarađuje sa nizom muzičara, animatora, programera i arhitekata. Quayola stvara hibridna dela koja brišu granice između vizuelnih umetnosti, dizajna i filma.

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