Justin Ginsberg
Justin Ginsberg, Black Gesture #3, 2012
Dallas, Texas
Artist Statement
While considering the relevance and functionality of glass throughout history, I am drawn to the material's ability to adapt to the needs of its society. From adornment in jewelry, to vessels, to windows, and more, glass persists as a material and medium. In more recent times, incredibly, glass has become the conveyer of information through vast networks of fiber optic cables. Understanding that light and glass have become central for modern communication, I have begun to explore metaphorical and literal understandings of these principles within my work, all beginning with a single hand made fiber of glass.
My most recent series of site specific installations are created from hundreds of hand made strands of crystal suspended by fine delicate wires. The strands fall, bend and tangle according to the specifics of space and the will of gravity, challenging the expectation of what glass should or can do. The compositions float in space between the boundary of darkness and light as each strand reflects, absorbs, and distorts, giving each viewer a unique experience. The thickness of each individual strand determines to what extent it will flex, and at times-- the pressure will be too great-- forcing some to break; making the work even more fragile and fleeting.
The gestures use the same principles, celebrating the idea that light and glass are now essential for the transmission of information. The fibrous choreographed marks that often linguistically overlap descriptions of dance, and performance, give homage to traditional gesture and mark making, by celebrating the stylistic qualities of calligraphy and written language, yet I compose them in way that relates to modern principles of communication. One can imagine the necessary action to create the gesture, recognizing that the mark not only compromises the physical echo, but the suggested motion needed to make it.
With an understanding that much of our modern systems rely on glass fibers and their ability to transmit light, we must also accept the fragility of these vast network of lattices. By using the material in such a deceptive and unique manner. I create visual tension between graphically composed glass and the illusion it creates- gestures of light. The work forces viewers to confront their own vulnerability, recognizing that every moment is inherently fleeting.
Artist Statement
While considering the relevance and functionality of glass throughout history, I am drawn to the material's ability to adapt to the needs of its society. From adornment in jewelry, to vessels, to windows, and more, glass persists as a material and medium. In more recent times, incredibly, glass has become the conveyer of information through vast networks of fiber optic cables. Understanding that light and glass have become central for modern communication, I have begun to explore metaphorical and literal understandings of these principles within my work, all beginning with a single hand made fiber of glass.
My most recent series of site specific installations are created from hundreds of hand made strands of crystal suspended by fine delicate wires. The strands fall, bend and tangle according to the specifics of space and the will of gravity, challenging the expectation of what glass should or can do. The compositions float in space between the boundary of darkness and light as each strand reflects, absorbs, and distorts, giving each viewer a unique experience. The thickness of each individual strand determines to what extent it will flex, and at times-- the pressure will be too great-- forcing some to break; making the work even more fragile and fleeting.
The gestures use the same principles, celebrating the idea that light and glass are now essential for the transmission of information. The fibrous choreographed marks that often linguistically overlap descriptions of dance, and performance, give homage to traditional gesture and mark making, by celebrating the stylistic qualities of calligraphy and written language, yet I compose them in way that relates to modern principles of communication. One can imagine the necessary action to create the gesture, recognizing that the mark not only compromises the physical echo, but the suggested motion needed to make it.
With an understanding that much of our modern systems rely on glass fibers and their ability to transmit light, we must also accept the fragility of these vast network of lattices. By using the material in such a deceptive and unique manner. I create visual tension between graphically composed glass and the illusion it creates- gestures of light. The work forces viewers to confront their own vulnerability, recognizing that every moment is inherently fleeting.
