Constellations
Place and Time:
This investigation began with an interest in the still life paintings of Morris Graves, and how they might be explored through Renaissance themes linked with comtemporary notions of spirituality. Locations of stars in autumnal constellations determine placement of objects in these images. Five constellations which are easily visible during the fall in the northern hemisphere are interpreted in this group by compositional arrangement. With a nod to Leonardo's color system, yellow is used as the earth color, and earth the autumn element, the work continues to explore Renaissance astronomy, astrology, and all things scientific (historically often known as "magical"). What then may one day be more fully understood of many current unexplained phenomema; dreams and dark matter, to name a few? Also, reference to the flower paintings of 20th c. NW mystic, Morris Graves, identifies an historical and spiritual kinship with comtemporary practice.