Firewall II (2018)  20" x 30"  Fusograph.

A single, elegant burning line inside flowing organic shapes of white, taupes, grays and blacks. Energized and charged, gritty color, depth, and energy define the piece.

This is the second of my first series of artworks of 2018.  This is a 20 x 30-inch fusograph titled "Firewall II".  The base image is the concrete wall in The Blast Factory that leads to our 60's built bomb shelter.  The early morning light was being reflected into the wall when I took this photo. My fuse work was done outside in sub-zero temperatures.

Fusographs are a logical progression for me as my work continues to evolve. The process and in practice though this is much tougher than you realize. The photographic papers burn very quickly.  I need to work minimally and fast. 

Brisk.

Photographs scratch and mar easily. So I need to work in a light and delicate way.

Gentle.

Primitive.  Modern.  Explosive.  

Unframed.

American gunpowder artist, Vega carefully places powder and fuses on the surface of the art, which he positions horizontally on the floor (or blast table). When ignited, first the fuses burn instantly along the cord lines, igniting the gunpowder and creating a blast, which then vanishes in clouds of smoke. The result is a textured surface that looks and feels like an explosion—the art is blackened, charred, and erupted, arrested in a state of being created in a flash.

When the fuse is lit there is a moment of uncertainty. What will happen? It is at that moment that true art exists.