Nature is a source of intrigue for both scientists and artists, who study its intricate design and geometric proportions in order to reach a better understanding of themselves, of others and of the environment. The brain is part of nature and a core part of who we are, but it remains a mystery to most of us. The artwork in Shimmer has been largely inspired by research data supplied by The Queensland Brain Institute - essentially, photographs of floating cell structures on glass plates where each image captures a fleeting moment of cell life.
In the aspiration of new knowledge, scientists must search through elements of obscurity and make sense of the ambiguous. In Shimmer , the compositions have been devised to tease and seduce the viewer, often by denying complete visual access. By using translucent materials, the work can distort, changing what can be seen from each viewing angle or formalise into subtle pattern to reflect the spatial and structural coherence and constant movement in cell life. During the search around the Shimmer exhibits, like an artist or a scientist at work, a quiet and beautiful moment of recognition is likely to happen
Shimmer is an exhibition of translucent cubes, photographic prints of digital imagery, sequin and bead drawings, and paintings - working across materials and methods to explore different ways of interpreting nature's dynamic geometry, and allowing people to see the connections between science, design and us. Some examples of the Synapsis Awakenings art works (the initial science/art explorations) will be included to introduce and inform the exhibition.
The media has heralded groundbreaking advances in stem cell research at every stage of development. It is now common knowledge that these leaps in scientific thinking for optimising and extending life call upon an extraordinary level of creative intelligence.
This intelligence has a captivating, 'shimmering' quality and, like nature itself, changes and adapts moment by moment.
Shimmer is part two of the Cross Sections Project supported by the Visual Arts/Craft Board of the Australia Council, encapsulating Glen Henderson's continuing involvement in contemporary arts practice as visual artist, designer, curator.
