Just had an email from my friend (and fellow flattened box enthusiast) Kelvin Soh showing me the lovely work of Eric Tillinghast. This from the Centre for Contemporary Non-Objective Art – "Empires” is the latest group of works in colour by Eric Tillinghast. All of these paintings are made on small, unfolded cardboard boxes and packaging material. As different as each is from the next, they are all a means to the same end: a man-made container, and yet the shapes and varieties employed to make even the simplest rectangular box are apparently infinite. This series explores these forms and the simple geometry they possess".
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There is certainly beauty in many things not originally conceived of as art; architectural blueprints or photomicrographs are just two examples. I seek out these forms of beauty whenever and wherever I can. Without initially knowing these are flattened boxes, one could assume the geometry of these works of art were derived arbitrarily, which would certainly be alright. Knowing that these shapes were designed and engineered to serve another purpose, then repurposed to become the basis for self expression elevates them into much loftier and cooler territory.
This stuff is great. I am always inspired by, and often times envious of creative people like Eric Tillinghast. Thanks for sharing.
—POSTED BY: Randy Willoughby, July 2nd, 2009 at 4:59 pm