““In the center of a large room, in full light , stood like a column from floor to ceiling a crystal prism of great density and absolute clarity. This experimental observation allows sunlight to pass through it every morning, casting, like a shadow, a world of colors onto the studio’s white walls.”.”
Hiroshi Sugimoto revealed his project Colors of Shadows to Pierre-Alexis Dumas artistic director of Hermès during his visit to Tokyo in 2010. For ten years, Sugimoto used a Polaroid camera to methodically photograph the subtle and changing variations of these color gradients. The artist has reproduced this chromatic epiphany onto a Hermès silk scarf for the third edition of the carré d’artiste. Sugimoto’s approach employs timeless methods to establish an inventive dialogue between history, tradition and contemporary expression. This work is inspired by the scientific experiments developed by Newton and Goethe on the origins of color, the decomposition of light, and emotional impact of colors on human being. The result is a concrete phenomenon, reified and sublimated by Sugimoto into an endless array of abstract images. Twenty Polaroids were selected to be printed on 140 x 140cm pieces of silk and produced in sets of seven. This giant format was necessary to let viewers fully experience the chromatic shock. It allows an ephemeral support ” the Polaroid” to last. The work also presents a new technical challenge, to Hermès Editeur: how to use an ink-jet printer to print these skillfully produced, immaterial gradients on a lightweight piece of silk. Yet another magnificent way to exhibit and bring to life the art of photography.
Available starting June 12 on http://www.hermes-editeur.com.
EXHIBITION
Couleurs de l’Ombre
June 12 – 21, 2012
During Art Basel contemporary art fair
Museum der Kulturen Münsterplatz 20,
CH-4051 Basel
Switzerland
