In the second OCULUS collection, the artwork "Hybrid Element One (Sand and Sky)" sees the artist return to a sense of serene minimalism.
The new series of artworks (OCCULIS II) distils the essence of the natural and built environment into a visual anthology that explores our perception and relationship to the basic elements of nature. Lucé explores our feelings and responses to different topographies. Analysing and defining the relationship between specific visual queues, colours, forms and surfaces that remind us of familiar landscapes and vistas. The artist continues to employ mechanisms that create a sense of the "unfamiliar" yet simultaneously is instantly identified with by the viewer.
In this work, we see a harmonious blend of soft, gradient tones that transition seamlessly between a sandy beige and an expansive blue yet subdued sky (capturing their ephemeral qualities and creating a fluid, almost dreamlike effect). Divided vertically by a slender, imperceptible line, the piece strikes a balance between earth and sky, inviting viewers to contemplate the symbiotic relationship between these fundamental elements.
Beyond the peripheries of abstract landscape, Lucé explores the intrinsic connection between the earth and the heavens through an abstract lens. Utilising composite long exposure techniques, Lucé captures the transient and ephemeral qualities of both earth and sky, juxtaposing their persistent yet ever-changing natures. The use of synthetic silk as the medium enhances the fluidity and softness of the composition, while the steel frame provides a contrasting sense of permanence and structure that aligns with the separating verticle structure, which is central to the piece. In the second OCULUS series, Lucé challenges the viewer to reflect on their relationship with the foundational elements of the natural world, encouraging an introspective and meditative state. This first piece in the collection parallels the minimalist and abstract expressions seen in the works of artists such as Mark Rothko and Hiroshi Sugimoto.
Similar to Sugimoto, Lucé's approach to the OCULUS series is highly conceptualised. Founded in concern for the environment and society, extending the original OCULUS concept to shift focus from the abstract forms of human anatomy to the planet and environmental concerns that continue to face us daily. The overall collection will take us on a journey that evolves from the simpler memory of a beautiful sunlight ocean scene to broader concepts of environmental impact. Like Rothko (an enduring inspiration for the artist), Lucé employs a restrained colour palette and large fields of colour to evoke a sense of space and introspection. Rothko's works often delve into the depths of the human psyche and emotional states, but Lucé's focus is more on the elemental and the environmental aspects of our surroundings and the innate response we have as human beings to specific settings we will encounter during our lifetime.
While Sugimoto's long exposure seascapes blur the line between sky and sea, Lucé's technique of blending natural elements through extended exposure times, combined with hyper minimalism and the juxtaposition of unfamiliar elements, results in a completely new form of abstract representation that resonates with something hidden within the viewer.
Both artists capture the essence of time and space, creating a contemplative experience that is both timeless and boundless.
In the realm of new media, Lucé's use of synthetic silk as a printing medium adds a tactile, innovative dimension to the visual experience, reminiscent of the textural explorations by artists like Gerhard Richter. The contrast of the synthetic silk's soft and deceptively organic feel with the industrial rigidity of steel frames echoes Richter's exploration of dualities and paradoxes within his abstract works.
Overall, Ohr Lucé's "Hybrid Element I (Sand and Sky)" is a calming meditation on nature's basic elements, presented through a sophisticated interplay of abstraction and new media. The piece continues to demonstrate Lucé's ability to merge traditional photographic techniques with contemporary artistic practices, creating an immersive and thought-provoking experience that encourages viewers to reflect on their own connection to the environment.
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