(Floating) Quotation Mark...

Once again, I took inspiration from the objects in my bathroom.  (Floating) Quotation Mark… is constructed from images of the hinge on my shower door, the top of my sink, my countertop, and a lemon. I set out with the goal of creating another image where the form  relates in some way to a punctuation mark.  However, I also wanted to create an illusion of something else.  I had two ideas…the quotation mark could actually be like the frames of glasses with eyes in them and/or they could be like a giant space monolith floating above some celestial object.  I decided to make both illusions.  The result is either some kind of awe inspiring space odyssey or a frowny face.
 
Ever since I created the rubber Glove Angels, I have become more interested in images where there are multiple possible ways to see the subject matter.  While this could be related to the work of the surrealists, my goal is simply to increase engagement with the work.   When something has more than one possible meaning people are encouraged to play a sort of “art-looking” game when they experience the work. That helps make it playful. This image, in particular, playfully combines a serious science fiction trop with an emoji and a punctuation mark.   The result alternates between dramatic, serious, and silly.  
 
This image also reminded me a lot of a painting because the counter top took on the look of abstract blobs of colour.  In fact, I had to digitally “paint” even more than usual in this image to create the forms I wanted.  As I continue with my project (during Covid) to make work from images captured in and around my home, it seems I am never at a loss for objects and surfaces that can be taken out of context and transformed into art of various kinds. Looking back at this year I might describe my artistic journey as one where I responded to my situation by retreating into a fantasy world of art, based on the mundane objects found in my house-- rather than striving to escape my confinement.  I don’t know if that’s the best explanation but it struck me as the kind of thing an art historian would say!