Pin Drop, 2019:
Artist's Statement
Pin Drop is a union of two related inspirations: minimalist art and meditation. For many years I have been drawn to minimalist art, not entirely understanding why, but the experience of meditation gradually led me to an awareness of its draw. When I was confronted with my own chaotic mind during my meditation practise I began to realise that I had been seeking refuge in the visual simplicity of the works of artists such as Kazimir Malevich and Hiroshi Sugimoto. Like meditation, Pin Drop stimulates self-reflection through the use of technical and visual techniques, illuminating awareness of the over-stimulation encountered in daily life, and providing space for contemplation. Pin Drop offers the opportunity for the viewer to take pause and reflect on the experience of peace.
Pin Drop was created by photographing a falling pin on a plain backdrop using a slow shutter-speed. The object itself is sharp, hard, cold and reflective. The method of photographing with a slow shutter-speed gives the pin a softness that it is not typically associated with. The act of freezing movement is something we cannot do without the intervention of the camera. This image is a still capture of what was once turbulent motion; there was movement in the process of creating it but, despite that, it is a scene of apparent calm. The overall warm tone of the image adds to the pin’s apparent softness, creating an image that is warm and inviting.
The only information the viewer has to work with is one simple line and curves on the page; the pin itself is not clearly visible. Everything outside that is devoid of form or context, and this removal of context leads to self-reflection: there are so few recognisable shapes to focus on therefore, all there is left to do is reflect on what’s happening in the mind. As in the meditation I practise, the presence of the pin in an otherwise bare image allows the mind to focus on a small area, resulting in a sharper mind and greater awareness of oneself. Through this process, the abstracted image of the pin reflects the mind’s way of making sense of what it sees.
Viewing the simplicity of Pin Drop encourages awareness of the overload of external stimuli encountered in modern life because, as the viewer examines something so visually subtle, one begins to compare it with the clutter that has been surrounding them. In society, constant stimulation and distraction are normalised and encouraged. The mind is not often allowed the opportunity to properly process all of the incoming information before the next bombardment arrives, which can lead to mental clutter, anxiety and a plethora of emotional disruption. We are not often given space process the information or to reach out to our fellow humans, and many seek refuge in the very distractions that brought them to the point of turmoil to begin with. This cycle can be disrupted by minimising the external stimuli, even for a few minutes a day. Serenity is inherent; we just need to give it the opportunity to flourish, and Pin Drop allows that for that opportunity to be explored by giving the viewer a soft, inviting and visually simple image to look at. When the mind is given space to relax and view an image that does not seek to bombard, it opens up the possibility to reflect on how one is emotionally and physically feeling.
Pin Drop explores a desire for stillness; to quiet the mind and calm the body. Personally, minimalist art draws me in and leads me to a process of reflection; likewise meditation has led me on a course of self-discovery. When I look at minimalist art, my mind becomes peaceful; it is as though it is finally allowed to slow down. Pin Drop stimulates and activates the serenity that lies within by offering the viewer an image with subtle subject matter, which is contrary to the sensory overload experienced in everyday life. Once there is a quiet space away from distractions, one can explore the richness of thought. This can be quite intimidating if one is not ready to accept the shadow of the mind, especially if there are poor or no support systems. Sometimes the emotional response to minimalist art may be one of anger or frustration due to a lack of representational objects but, if the viewer can work through that initial reaction, one can reach a point of equanimity. Through a visual representation of calm and quiet, Pin Drop exposes this response and illuminates these intricacies of the mind. The human brain tends to look for patterns and recognisability, and as a result, creates complexity out of simplicity. This work encourages the viewer to take pause and momentarily set aside these aspects of the mind, allowing for reflection on one’s own thoughts and feelings, and revealing the serenity within.
Pin Drop is a union of two related inspirations: minimalist art and meditation. For many years I have been drawn to minimalist art, not entirely understanding why, but the experience of meditation gradually led me to an awareness of its draw. When I was confronted with my own chaotic mind during my meditation practise I began to realise that I had been seeking refuge in the visual simplicity of the works of artists such as Kazimir Malevich and Hiroshi Sugimoto. Like meditation, Pin Drop stimulates self-reflection through the use of technical and visual techniques, illuminating awareness of the over-stimulation encountered in daily life, and providing space for contemplation. Pin Drop offers the opportunity for the viewer to take pause and reflect on the experience of peace.
Pin Drop was created by photographing a falling pin on a plain backdrop using a slow shutter-speed. The object itself is sharp, hard, cold and reflective. The method of photographing with a slow shutter-speed gives the pin a softness that it is not typically associated with. The act of freezing movement is something we cannot do without the intervention of the camera. This image is a still capture of what was once turbulent motion; there was movement in the process of creating it but, despite that, it is a scene of apparent calm. The overall warm tone of the image adds to the pin’s apparent softness, creating an image that is warm and inviting.
The only information the viewer has to work with is one simple line and curves on the page; the pin itself is not clearly visible. Everything outside that is devoid of form or context, and this removal of context leads to self-reflection: there are so few recognisable shapes to focus on therefore, all there is left to do is reflect on what’s happening in the mind. As in the meditation I practise, the presence of the pin in an otherwise bare image allows the mind to focus on a small area, resulting in a sharper mind and greater awareness of oneself. Through this process, the abstracted image of the pin reflects the mind’s way of making sense of what it sees.
Viewing the simplicity of Pin Drop encourages awareness of the overload of external stimuli encountered in modern life because, as the viewer examines something so visually subtle, one begins to compare it with the clutter that has been surrounding them. In society, constant stimulation and distraction are normalised and encouraged. The mind is not often allowed the opportunity to properly process all of the incoming information before the next bombardment arrives, which can lead to mental clutter, anxiety and a plethora of emotional disruption. We are not often given space process the information or to reach out to our fellow humans, and many seek refuge in the very distractions that brought them to the point of turmoil to begin with. This cycle can be disrupted by minimising the external stimuli, even for a few minutes a day. Serenity is inherent; we just need to give it the opportunity to flourish, and Pin Drop allows that for that opportunity to be explored by giving the viewer a soft, inviting and visually simple image to look at. When the mind is given space to relax and view an image that does not seek to bombard, it opens up the possibility to reflect on how one is emotionally and physically feeling.
Pin Drop explores a desire for stillness; to quiet the mind and calm the body. Personally, minimalist art draws me in and leads me to a process of reflection; likewise meditation has led me on a course of self-discovery. When I look at minimalist art, my mind becomes peaceful; it is as though it is finally allowed to slow down. Pin Drop stimulates and activates the serenity that lies within by offering the viewer an image with subtle subject matter, which is contrary to the sensory overload experienced in everyday life. Once there is a quiet space away from distractions, one can explore the richness of thought. This can be quite intimidating if one is not ready to accept the shadow of the mind, especially if there are poor or no support systems. Sometimes the emotional response to minimalist art may be one of anger or frustration due to a lack of representational objects but, if the viewer can work through that initial reaction, one can reach a point of equanimity. Through a visual representation of calm and quiet, Pin Drop exposes this response and illuminates these intricacies of the mind. The human brain tends to look for patterns and recognisability, and as a result, creates complexity out of simplicity. This work encourages the viewer to take pause and momentarily set aside these aspects of the mind, allowing for reflection on one’s own thoughts and feelings, and revealing the serenity within.