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| 'Techno Study 013', Mixed Media on Paper, 300 mm x 300 mm, 2021 |
The series of small, relatively inconsequential 'Techno Studies', which I've been working on in recent times, is now complete. As already discussed, these started as a slight (although aesthetically sympathetic) diversion from the somewhat more preconceived methodology of my 'Constructed City' paintings. As such - they've served their purpose, I think. If both phases of work share a pretty rigorous aesthetic - characterised by strict, layered geometries and a shrugging-off of my customary textual elements, there are also clear distinctions, which feel more significant (to me at least).
Primarily, this amounts to an immersion in an improvisational approach - in these studies, versus the more process-based deliberations of the 'CC' pieces. And, whilst they were specifically (if obliquely) connected to specific city locations, and to certain associated reflections upon the nature of contemporary urban development (potentially - at least), these carry little or no such thematic baggage. There may be a certain architectural aspect to many of the little 'Technos', but their primary raison d'etre remains a purely intuitive response to the rigorous Techno music I was listening to (almost exclusively) for a while, earlier in the year.
The grid-based organisation of these compositions, and strict adherence to perpendicularity, may have become policy as the series evolved - but still feel like a pretty route-one response to the structures inherent with the music itself. The nuanced and layered surfaces represent little more than a cheerful embrace of self-indulgent painterliness, and the attendant harnessing of seductive accidents. That they may also reference the more atmospheric elements, or textural detail of much Techno, is a fortunate by-product. The completion of the full set of sixteen is a pretty logical justification of the four-square/four-squared rationale therein, but also a reflection of my willingness to just keep going whilst doing so remained fun.
Ultimately, what may also be true - is that these really represent little more than a recourse to various comfort zones. There's little here that I haven't tried before, to some degree or other, and the overall aesthetic and methodology refer to the twentieth century, far more than the twenty-first. I won't beat myself up too much about that, and it could likely be justified on hauntological grounds alone - I'm sure. However, my recent dilettante engagement with certain 'difficult' philosophical texts persuades me that more expansive lines of creative flight, and an embrace of more rhizomatic connectivities are likely to be more rewarding than recourse to old, established or 'striated' modes of thought/activity.
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| 'Techno Study 014', Mixed Media on Paper, 300 mm x 300 mm, 2021 |
However, this isn't really the time to go further into such reflections. I've merely scratched the surface of a few slightly convoluted concepts, and am already starting to process a slew of different ideas and possibilities as a consequence. Not least amongst these are how my own work should progress in coming days. However, it doesn't really feel like simply working this imagery up into more substantial works, purely for the sake of it, is really the road I want to take. For now, I'm content for them to remain that aforementioned detour - and possibly one taken along an attractive, slightly quaint back-route. I think it's probably time to seek out some different ones - or even to draw some new ones on the map altogether.
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| 'Techno Study 015', Mixed Media on Paper, 300 mm x 300 mm, 2021 |
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| 'Techno Study 016', Mixed Media on Paper, 300 mm x 300 mm, 2021 |
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