Duality

du·al·i·ty

d(y)o͞oˈalədē/

noun

noun: duality; plural noun: dualities

1. 1.

   the quality or condition of being dual.

   
   

   "the novel's deep duality about human motive"

   • MATHEMATICS

     the property of two theorems, expressions, etc., being dual to each other.
   • PHYSICS

     the quantum-mechanical property of being regardable as both a wave and a particle.
2. 2.

   an instance of opposition or contrast between two concepts or two aspects of something; a dualism.

   
   

   "the photographs capitalize on the dualities of light and dark, stillness and movement"

Origin

late Middle English: from late Latin dualitas, from dualis (see dual).

Among the ideas that Kim Matthews and I have been working with is DUALITY.  Obviously, there can be a series of plays on words, taking us off into commentaries on human nature, spirituality and vice.  But we discovered, with the amazement that only non-math-nerds can muster, that if you place a dot in the center of each plane of a regular polyhedron, you will define another shape within.  Too Cool!

PLATONIC DUALITY, opening Friday, May 11, 6-9pm, Gallery5004, Robbinsdale, MN

Torus Fever

I have become fascinated with the geometric form torus.  It is, fundamentally, a donut...which is something I used to love and can no longer eat!  But more than that, it can be seen as a depiction of a black hole, or a universe...or...or...The online dictionary defines it thusly:

to·rus

ˈtôrəs/

noun

noun: torus; plural noun: tori; plural noun: toruses

1. 1.

   GEOMETRY

   a surface or solid formed by rotating a closed curve, especially a circle, around a line that lies in the same plane but does not intersect it (e.g., like a ring-shaped doughnut).

   • a thing of this shape, especially a large ring-shaped chamber used in physical research.
2. 2.

   ARCHITECTURE

   a large convex molding, typically semicircular in cross section, especially as the lowest part of the base of a column.
3. 3.

   ANATOMY

   a ridge of bone or muscle.

   "the maxillary torus"
4. 4.

   BOTANY

   the receptacle of a flower.

Origin

mid 16th century (sense 2): from Latin, literally ‘swelling, bolster, round molding.’ The other senses date from the 19th century.

Cushion Torus

Cushion Torus: Universe

Intersecting Torus 1

Intersecting Torus 2

Torus 1

PLATONIC DUALITIES, opening May 11, 6-9pm, Gallery 5004, Robbinsdale

Why Geometry?

I am not a math nerd.  I always struggled to like working with numbers and, God-Help-Me, proofs! My father and I would wrangle the homework evening away over missed steps in proofs!   But, I will admit the shapes fascinated me.  However,  we did not do much with drawing or building the shapes in high school geometry and trigonometry class.  I was very relieved when my teacher suggested that I was a bit over matched by the accelerated classes I was in. 

And so, we come to today and the upcoming show

Much of Kim Matthews' work has always involved the structures of geometry. She uses  unusual materials to slowly build mostly regular objects.  It has been a deep and practical way of working.  She developed a modular practice that allowed her to work in the tiny spaces between a full time job and daily obligations.  That practice also reflects the rigor and the peace of a decades long meditation practice.

My work has been disparate over the years.  I have always worked in multiple materials developing large bodies of work around themes.  For the last 30 years my  themes have often been overtly feminist and political, with naturalistic drawing at the core. 

But something happened with the last election.  My creative mind was ignited by the rigid rules and shapes of geometry.  For the longest time, I could not figure out where this was coming from.  It was so different from my last 30 years practice.  But it consumed me and gave me a true sense of peace.  Kim suggested that it probably gave me some sense of control in the chaos.  As we talked more over the months, we concluded that the drive may be more cosmic/spiritual...to recognize and reflect what we both hope is an underlying order to this life on earth.  And that, my friends, is fundamentally political.  It is quiet.  It is not harsh nor hateful. But it also asks for a new way of being.

PLATONIC DUALITIES

Susan Hensel and Kim Matthews

opening May 11, 6-9 pm

Gallery 5004

5004 42nd Ave N

Robbinsdale, MN 55422

763-220-0833