Back to collection<< prevnext >>
Film image #58
2023, Acrylic on board, 30x30cm
R990.00
10% off R891.00
[4th November 2022] Repeat the stories, go through the story again. I am hovering above the water with God, tohu va bohu, formless and void. Currents of light, seeing for the first time. Silver currents, coruscating currents, like shoals of fish swimming through the sea, through the water, glittering, glinting, sparkling, shimmering. Made up of many identical parts, independent parts, that seem to constitute a great form. And when that great form is observed, what do we see? What is manifested? Bubbling and boiling, bubbles of air in the water, expanding vapour, pushing the water aside, creating a smooth shiny surface, separation boundary. Fermentation on the sea floor, bubbles rising from the fermentation, fermentation on the sea floor, deep, deep down where the forgotten things ferment and form bubbles. The bubbles travel up, they always know which way is up, gravity as their guide, they travel up higher and higher, sometimes joining with other bubbles, becoming larger and more buoyant, moving faster upwards, creating a current in the water as they travel, making their way upwards. What lies rotting on the sea floor? Flesh, carcasses, vegetation, hot lava vents, hot volcanic lava vents, heat energy from a coal that still has not cooled down. Where the water and the earth meet, the bubbles and boils chaotic, our history, our present, where our history meets our present, things bubble and boil, matter descends and bubbles rise. This one bubbles and boils.

Chatgpt's interpretation of the text:

The artwork titled 'Film Image #58' created in 2023, using acrylic on board with dimensions 30x30cm, carries a profound and symbolic interpretation. The accompanying text, seemingly an artist's reflection or description, provides insights into the underlying themes and emotions portrayed in the piece.

The image seems to depict a surreal and contemplative journey, transcending time and space. The date mentioned, 4th November 2022, holds significance as a point of reference in this artistic exploration. The repetition of stories suggests a timeless cycle of experiences and emotions, with the artist revisiting and reevaluating their past, perhaps seeking deeper understanding or meaning.

The act of hovering above the water with God suggests a spiritual or transcendental perspective, a state of introspection and reflection on existence and creation. The term 'tohu va bohu,' meaning formless and void, further reinforces the idea of an exploration into the unknown, the depths of the unconscious, and the uncharted territory of the mind.

The depiction of silver currents, akin to shoals of fish in the sea, beautifully captures the fluidity and dynamic nature of thoughts and emotions. The sparkling and shimmering elements symbolize the intricate and captivating dance of ideas within the mind.

The idea of many identical yet independent parts coming together to form a great form conveys the interconnectedness of thoughts, memories, and experiences that shape one's identity and understanding of reality.

As the great form is observed, bubbling and boiling of emotions emerge, portraying the subconscious mind's influence on conscious thought. The bubbles of air, expanding vapor, and pushing water aside symbolize the expression and release of repressed emotions and thoughts from the depths of the unconscious.

Fermentation on the sea floor represents the transformation and processing of forgotten emotions and memories. The bubbles rising from the fermentation suggest the emergence of suppressed feelings, traveling upwards, guided by gravity. This process of rising bubbles implies a natural inclination for the subconscious to surface, seeking acknowledgment and integration.

The description of what lies rotting on the sea floor, such as flesh, carcasses, vegetation, and hot lava vents, signifies the presence of deeply buried and unresolved emotions, traumas, and desires. The hot volcanic lava vents and heat energy from a coal that has not cooled down symbolize the ongoing intensity and potency of unaddressed emotions.

The chaotic interaction of bubbles and boils, where water and earth meet, signifies the intricate interplay between the conscious and unconscious realms, shaping an individual's history and present reality. The constant bubbling and boiling represent the continuous movement and transformation of emotions and thoughts, where matter descends and bubbles rise, reflecting the ever-changing nature of human experience.

Overall, 'Film Image #58' appears to be an introspective and thought-provoking artwork, delving into the depths of the human psyche, the interconnection of conscious and unconscious elements, and the perpetual journey of self-discovery and understanding.