Exploring form elements versus surface

[Asher Kelman]

I'm interested in feedback on my work with portions or all of a figure, exploring how esthetics, meaning and impact might change according to what is hidden and what portions appear beside. I have 4 versions each giving the same material in a different context. Here, I show the first picture.

Photo Asher Kelman 2008 Nude with texture 1​

Obviously I have removed Heather's head. I seek to celebrate the form rather than the person, yet I wish to create a graphic composition that makes her alive again. So this is utterly conflicted, having elements try to be alive but without the person of the model being present.

Thanks for looking,

Asher

Thanks to our model, Heather!

 

[Doug Kerr]

Hi, Asher,

I'm interested in feedback on my work with portions or all of a figure, exploring how esthetics, meaning and impact might change according to what is hidden and what portions appear beside. I have 4 versions each giving the same material in a different context.

Well, an interesting concept.

My first thought was, "Wow! I've rarely seen a corrupted JPEG file that did that."

And I really don't find that the juxtaposition of the different "modules" of these works does much for me (even now that I have learned that is wasn't the result of file corruption).

Still, I think you're on to something. So keep plugging. And we hope for new life for Heather, perhaps even recovery from the blessings of elective acephaly.

Best regards,

Doug

 

[Asher Kelman]

Hi, Asher,


Well, an interesting concept.

My first thought was, "Wow! I've rarely seen a corrupted JPEG file that did that."

Hi Doug,

These images are meant, (each to stand on their own), as a series of artistic creations. There is no narrative. Each person has to bring their own values and enter the image space with them. I intend to to allow the observer to enjoy their own imagined meaning and opinions.

Black has infinite depth. So that's one effect against which to consider the pale figure. blackness can hold anything.

The idea of the textured surface is it tells the brain, it's very very flat. The micro detail draws attention but we return to the simple elements of the figure.

JPEG corrupted surfaces, BTW, are interesting but create sense of movement. I have used them extensively and will show art based on that, I promise! Here I wanted utter stillness and a fixed background or emptiness. Against this we have the shading of the figure to give dimension. I'm trying, thus, to increase the gap in perception between dimensionality, emptiness and/or flatness.

Asher

I'll add movement too, shortly. So the JPEG idea here is a good stimulus. Thanks

 

[Asher Kelman]

Photo Asher Kelman 2008 Nude with texture 1​

The nude has been removed from social context. There's no cultural frame of reference except to sculpture.

In the top half, the pale figure is against blackness. This gives the impression of emptiness, risk and the unknown, infinite time and great depth behind the figure. The meaning and dynamics is very different from the defined detailed background in the lower part.

Thus we are forced to look at the nude figure in a variety of ways, bring to it different parts of our values, experience and own backgrounds. That, anyway, is my humble intent.

Asher

 

[NC Iphone]

Photo Asher Kelman 2008 Nude with texture 1​

The nude has been removed from social context. There's no cultural frame of reference except to sculpture.

In the top half, the pale figure is against blackness. This gives the impression of emptiness, risk and the unknown, infinite time and great depth behind the figure. The meaning and dynamics is very different from the defined detailed background in the lower part.

Thus we are forced to look at the nude figure in a variety of ways, bring to it different parts of our values, experience and own backgrounds. That, anyway, is my humble intent.

Asher

Oh lala!

Desole, mais je n'y comprends rien !

 

[janet Smith]

The nude has been removed from social context......In the top half, the pale figure is against blackness. This gives the impression of emptiness......Thus we are forced to look at the nude figure in a variety of ways, bring to it different parts of our values, experience and own backgrounds. That, anyway, is my humble intent

Hi Asher

Sorry for being late coming into this (Christmas! say no more!)

I have come back to look at this several times, and must admit to struggling with the split image you have shown us here, although I like the concept, I have to be honest, I'm not too sure about the choice of textured/patterned background. I've been trying to imagine how it would look if all of the background were black. The possibilities of this concept are almost limitless, you could use more sections, with different textured backgrounds, perhaps natural ones - feathers, her own hair, tree bark, crumpled paper bag....

I like the idea very much, and would like to see more versions.

 

[Asher Kelman]

Hi Asher

Sorry for being late coming into this (Christmas! say no more!)

I have come back to look at this several times, and must admit to struggling with the split image you have shown us here, although I like the concept, I have to be honest, I'm not too sure about the choice of textured/patterned background. I've been trying to imagine how it would look if all of the background were black. The possibilities of this concept are almost limitless, you could use more sections, with different textured backgrounds, perhaps natural ones - feathers, her own hair, tree bark, crumpled paper bag....

I like the idea very much, and would like to see more versions.

The first is simple. We have the soft form of the breast and chest against a tight patterned surface. There is a simple contrast between the surfaces. The tight pattern helps to further emphasize the natural lines of the feminine.

Here we have a more complete figure with a smooth color replacing blackness with a more defined presence that does seem to give a more agreeable space for the model I think the color seems to make the place safer and having less chance of danger lurking. This pleasant but still spacious room is very different from the small portions of a figure against a define pattern.

In the next one, contrast the aura of undefined unknown deep space with the very limited space between the figure and the background. So how does this alter one's perception of the presence of a being in the image.

These pieces are meant to challenge the observer and invite him/her to explore the possible relationship between a person and the circumstance in which they are observed. I like the idea of art bringing a person to a place where they can recruit their own experiences and compare these against what we assume are defined values. Perhaps as a result, our boundaries will be moved and ideas re-calibrated somewhat. These 4 pictures are just the start of this exploration.

Asher

 

[Charlotte Thompson]

Asher

this is a bit unique indeed
reminds me of The Ice Queen who came to observe humans
stayed for a while and peered into our nothingness"
then left in a mist of freezing rain" to her own galaxy-
that is what I saw and felt as an observer-

your idea has a "collective" feel to it-
I lovelove the ivory body- sort of befits how males see a female perhaphs Ivory Tower"
or parts of the whole that speak female- weird the head wasn't included (that's my observation as a female) the ivory head with the natural color of hair would be Very Interesting-
good stuff makes ya wanna stop and think- I so love that!

Charlotte-

 

[janet Smith]

These pieces are meant to challenge the observer and invite him/her to explore the possible relationship between a person and the circumstance in which they are observed...... These 4 pictures are just the start of this exploration

Hi Asher

Well you have achieved your objective, they are indeed challenging, I have come back to look at them several times, I find it fascinating watching you develop this theme. I prefer the last two that you've posted, will you be introducing other textures/patterns?

I look forward to seeing more.....

 

[Ashley Karyl]

I think this is worth exploring further as a nude study concept Asher and I'd certainly like to see some more images along the same lines with this juxtaposition of body parts and contrasting textures.

 

[Asher Kelman]

Thanks so much, Ashley, Janet and Charlotte for the kind and helpful comments. I appreciate the encouragement support for further work.

I must admit I have been so busy with dressed folk that nude photography has slipped!

Asher

 

[Asher Kelman]

I think this is worth exploring further as a nude study concept Asher and I'd certainly like to see some more images along the same lines with this juxtaposition of body parts and contrasting textures.

Ashley,

I hope to revisit this subject and see how my ideas have progressed.

Asher

 

[Mark Hampton]

Asher,

these images are not about a model - or any person to me - they lean toward sculpture.. In these images what is hidden is of no interest to me because what is shown pushes me towards a form - a tone and a feel of solid... to my eyes...

the conflict I feel is in the difference between the subject and the background - and the comparison in relation to feel..

studies are the scales of art. I want more !!

Cheers