2017: New Works

As promised some time ago, here are several of the new works which are currently available but may not be placed on my website until the interiors of all are ready to be photographed.                        (Other wallworks and chests are also in various stages of construction).

                   
        

Fronds

The FRONDS  wallwork drew its title (also its working title) from the very large circuits that border the top & bottom.  These circuits originated about 40 years ago, long before miniaturization began to render them invisible.  Among the ancestors of technology.

                                                          FRONDS  wallwork:  36” x 25”

Abstract Expression

I don’t try to do this on purpose, but somehow when the design of a chest comes together, it often reminds me of a certain culture past or present --  Egyptian or Gothic or Chinese or Art Nouveau or African primitive… 

This one felt strongly suggestive of mid-20^th century expressionist paintings.

                               ABSTRACT EXPRESSON    chest:   20” x 10” x 5”H

Daphnis & Chloe

Everything needs a name long before a title is decided: folders for notes & plans, trays with selected circuitry, photo files, etc.  My working title for this piece was “Buttheads” (which just popped in my head as soon as those top circuits were placed together), but I didn’t want to refer to a TV cartoon from some years ago.  And it was hard not to notice that one of the circuits was male and the other female.  So in a moment of whimsy I picked the classical lovers DAPHNIS & CHLOE ;  Daphnis is on the right, with the penis sticking up from the back of his neck.  Never mind that the circuitry isn’t a bit gentle and romantic.  It’s a machine, after all.

DAPHNIS & CHLOE  chest:  18” x 11” x 6”H

Delphian

The circuitry graphics of DELPHIAN strikes me as having the aesthetic of 

                       ancient Aegean or Greek pottery.

                                            DELPHIAN     chest:   16” x 11” x 6”H

Totem

The very large antique (1970s) circuits used on the top of the chest always reminded me of the wood carvings of the Pacific northwest coast Indian tribes. 

TOTEM     chest:  18” x 12” x 5”H

About Progress on New Works

Hi, friends.  There haven’t been any recent postings on my blog, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t been busy – I just haven’t had anything ready to show yet.  Currently there are about 15 chests and wall works which were designed and planned out over the past several months, and they are in various stages of construction.  For each individual piece, the hardwood form on which the circuitry will be placed is always made to the exact size needed to accommodate the circuitry design.  Aesthetics are important, and while a painter can make adjustments as he goes, the same is not true when working with circuitry -- it won't stretch or shrink to fit an idea.  It is what it is, and it's up to the artist to make all the effort involved seem to disappear, creating a piece that is not only beautiful, but  feels perfectly natural and organic.  That’s why a lot of time is involved in the design phase.  Within a few weeks a couple of these may be at a stage where they can be photographed and posted on my blog.

   

As some of you know, my house and studio are in a rural area a good distance from New York City.  There are 5 acres, parts of which are left in a more or less natural state, but the gardens, landscaping and lawns all need some of my time, especially in the springtime.  Since I’ve always seen technology as a newly evolving form of nature, it shouldn’t surprise anyone that I also love the part of nature that includes the trees and birds .  When I'm in the studio I work with the ancient ancestors, the trilobites of this new form of nature, and outdoors I am with that which has evolved a bit more slowly.   If I haven’t been communicating, it’s only because there isn't much to be said until new works are posted.   The website indicates which works are currently available.                                                                                   

A few recently completed wall works

Below are some recent wall pieces.  Several more are underway, as well as some new chests.

Tlingit

It may be difficult for some to perceive this as electronic circuitry, but it is, and is ancient in terms of technology.  These are truly the trilobites - the bones-  of the evolution of tech.  Wonderful abstract primitive art in its own right,
it was given the suitable title of one of the northwest coast Indian tribes of the U.S., reminiscent of one of their totems.   The size of this wall work is about 22 x 16.

 

Maori

The circuitry for this small wall-work was collected many years ago from a circuit fabrication company that has long since disappeared.  I've had these rare boards set aside for just such a piece.  Could they be Maori tattoos, or could it be the abstract work of a contemporary American?    About 16" x 16".

Raptor (Icon # 3)

  One of my series of icon wall works.  
  The image on the gold circuit strikes me
  as the profile of a powerful bird of prey.

  RAPTOR is 30" x 20.5" 


  see website for larger views

New Works 2015

Below are some recently completed pieces; others are in various stages of design & construction.

Sutton Hoo

The design of SUTTON HOO grew outwards from the motif in the center of the top.  It soon took on a look that reminded me of the hoard of Saxon treasure not long ago unearthed on a farm field in eastern England.  The chest is 16" x 13" x 5"H.

 

This chest will be placed on my website
  when I can get to it















  

Candelabra

The CANDELABRA chest, completed in 2015, has its name from the circuitry on the sides, and that was its working title.   The design reminded me of some obscure forgotten culture that I couldn't put my finger on, but candelabra is easier, and so it keeps its working title.  
The chest is 17" x 11" x 7"H

 

Update

 A few wall works have been roughly designed and their forms constructed and prepared, but it may be many months before any of these are completed.  For now, the ones on the website are all that is available.  A few newly designed chests have similarly been prepared for circuitry design, but it will also be some time before any of these are completed.  Posted (just below) are two recently finished chests.

Chartres 1

In my collection of circuitry is a carton of vintage circuit boards I call “Chartres” simply because they remind me of medieval cathedral windows.  They’ve been saved aside for use in the composition of such a chest as  CHARTRES  1, and possibly another.   The “windows” surround the sides of the piece, and the top is my impression of the intricate design of stained glass.  It’s enough if the design is intriguing, however you see it.  

Recently completed,  chest is 17.5 x 13 x 17in.H     (44 x 33 x 18cm H)    wt:  16 lb.

Rigel

A recently completed chest which wanted to be named for a star.
RIGEL is a star in the constellation Orion, and the seventh brightest star in the night sky.  

Chest:  18 x 9 x 6 in.H                         (46 x 23 x  16cm H)      
 wt: 13 lb.

PAPUA

A recently completed piece which I meant to add to the website and blog a few weeks ago, but before I could get around to doing this, it was sold by a gallery, so I've just now added it to my website.   For the past several months I have been very busy with all kinds of things, some having nothing to do with art.   Apologies if the blog and website have not been kept completely current.  

BESPOKE Magazine Article

The December 2013 / January 2014 issue of the international magazine BESPOKE contains a six-page article on my work written by Warren Singh-Bartlett.  The article is posted on my website and can be seen by clicking on the link below:

                                            http://www.theokamecke.com/recent_works_blog.php

Renovated Website

The Theo Kamecke website theokamecke.com has recently undergone a conversion from static to dynamic, making it possible to easily add new works and text, and where needed extra views of each work.   While the look of the site has changed very little, it will now be possible to see from the thumbnail pages which works are available.  Several new works have been added to the site, and many new images.  

The switchover to the converted and renovated site will happen on or before November 22. 
Below is a sampling of some of the new works added.

HEIAN

                                                

PUEBLO

MARINE

MYCENAEAN

METRO

SKYMAP

                                                                                              

OHM

TECHDAWN