Paul Kolker – Sculpting Light
Geometric shapes and neon lights befitting of the next TRON reboot fill the studio space of this Brooklyn-born artist. Paul Kolker has made a name for himself out of his integration of mathematical theory and scientific concepts to his painting and other artworks. It’s no surprise that this former chief of cardiothoracic surgery applies so much quantitative process to his works to depict them qualitatively.
Paul Kolker - Infinity Vortex of Light Sculptures
A number of Paul Kolker’s works implement his own color and art theory he has dubbed “fracolor.” This process transforms an image into pixelated dots of fractal components of the original. The result is a very clear representation of the image from afar but a very fractured and almost abstract grouping of circles when viewed closely. In his current installation, Let There Be Light!, Kolker displays a selection of his unique light “sculptures,” exploring depth and physical space in concrete forms via illumination. Similar to the fracolor experience, the lights in each group are little more than individual dots alone (even less than the paintings as their very being is a testament to their impermanence) yet create an image much more substantive than the shape it is symbolizing.
Paul Kolker - Iterati Triangulare, Green
Paul Kolker - Star Light, Star Bright
Kolker’s “sculptures” are simply meant to be seen to be wholly appreciated. The fullness of Kolker’s Star Light, Star Bright for instance is difficult to capture in a photograph, especially when depth and angle are such intricate facets of the work. The best living example of this is this photograph of the above mentioned work.
Can light have form, or will Kolker’s work vanish into darkness? Make your choice below.
Photos courtesy of Opening Ceremony.
The artist’s personal website.
Let There Be Light! can be viewed at Studio 601 through May 5th.