Monday, February 25, 2013

Harmonics



Visual Harmonics I,  copr William Cook, 2013








Recently realized that the kind of sounds in this clip are what I hear in my head when I'm making art.  I first began to hear these sounds in 1977, and from then til now is what I've been trying to reflect--a visual expression of a series of sounds.

This piece is created on a heavily textured piece of paper that I made.  The severe wrinkling is a result of the drying process that I don't get how to prevent yet.  Maybe I'll catch on, but maybe not.  I like the fact that it's not a perfect sheet.

Those lines are ink.  I'm very happy to report that it's the sizing of the pulp that makes this possible--a fact that eluded me for 25 years as I searched for the perfect paper to draw on.

Warning:  the visual part of the clip is so inane that you might end up barking, or picking someones pockets--so don't watch, it's like they are controlling the horizontal [and the vertical] like in the "Outer Limits".




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13 comments:

Dan Kent said...

I don't know why I thought you weren't doing art anymore, only photography. Those are some sounds! I like your Visual Harmonics piece, like all your work complicated and yet simple and contemplative at the same time.

Linda Roth said...

It was a kaleidoscopic; I used to love kaleidoscopes. The sounds were not unlike those played when you get a massage--soothing, even keeled, like a mantra repeated over and over again, totally mesmerizing. How clever of you to draw them. This work would have to be displayed with the audio accompaniment. This work would be a good video of light streams...

William Cook said...

Hey Dan--Photography? Don't tell LW but I don't know one end of a camera from the other. OK I'm exaggerating. Seriously, thanks for the kind comments--they are encouraging.

Hi LW--Now that's something I will [possibly] never experience--a salon hair dryer. I bet the sound is awesome. Maybe I ought to go to the beauty salon to try one out. If I ever do show these I agree that this should be going on in the background. Thanks for checking in.

Unknown said...

Great connection of visual and audio harmonics! I like your analysis and ability to express it so well.

William Cook said...

Hi Katherine--So wonderful to hear from you! Thanks for commenting. There's a whole "symphony" of sound going on everywhere. I actually do hear it, and I do believe all the range of sound color, nuance and harmonics, both logically arranged and dissonant, is a worthy painting subject. Damned impossible to talk about though. All the best.

Celeste Bergin said...

the painting is beautiful...I'll have to check back later to listen to the sounds. Welcome back to the blogosphere

hw (hallie) farber said...

So you have tinnitus? And I had to watch the video--so far, no barking.

I love the drawing--the arc at the top--and I see such subtle color that I'm not sure it's actually there. I love that it's not perfect.

Welcome back.

RH Carpenter said...

The universal hum. I could zone out to that while looking at your painting, flowing in and out. Beautiful stuff, Bill! And now you're making the paper - definitely a whole body experience for you!

William Cook said...

HI Celeste--Thanks. And definitely check out that video. It really sets the mood.

Hi Hallie--Yes this is a very colorful piece, you're right, and subtle to the extreme. The color and texture sort of develops more like a patina than anything deliberate. So great to hear from you--thanks for stopping by.

Hi Rhonda--I made a quite a few sheets of paper last summer/fall--the plan was to go wild, and have all this craziness going on in the paper itself--confetti, thread, plants spices, hair--whatever I could dump in the pulp. It didn't get wild enough to blog about. Too restrained. I found I was enjoying getting a perfect sheet of drawing paper with tiny flecks of stuff. Had to put it all away and pursue other things (spiritual). You're right though, there is something holistic about working on home made paper. Feels right.

Katherine van Schoonhoven said...

Drawing on paper you have made yourself seems like the perfect way to express yourself, without interruption from anything.

I've been listening to the harmonics of my house heater, the refrigerator, my printer, and the other noises that are the underpainting of my auditory life. Can't seem to escape those kinds of sounds. Good to see you back!

William Cook said...

Hi Katherine-- Great comment! Those regular sounds all over, and I do make it a point to listen to them--although it is a bit like watching dust. All the best

JANE MINTER said...

very beautiful william ...the greens almost seem to shift with different view points and texture of your paper.

William Cook said...

Hi Jane--I'm so happy to hear from you! There is indeed so much going on in this piece, albeit subtle. Thanks for looking. All the best!