The Astra Syzygy Codex
In response to the pandemic’s upheaval, an age gripped by twin specters—boredom and terror— The Astra Syzygy Codex provided solace in the realms of science fiction, and mythology, believing that sci-fi transports us from the Ho-hum, offering escapism, while also reflecting our collective fears. Inspired by the 1800s Great Moon Hoax, which planted the seeds of wonder and gave rise to myths of hidden worlds, along with hypothetical planets like Vulcan, X, and Tyche, this story unfolds as a myth about the disappearance of one of those planets.
Each day, I created a new piece with the idea of a stream of consciousness guiding my creative process, a single thought (or image) evolving and transforming over time. The Astra Syzygy Codex defies a singular narrative forming a surreal cosmos that shifts and blends multiple perspectives and techniques, My role was akin to a translator transcribing these 3 different alien transmissions.
I_$ store dystopia
Created through in-camera multi-exposures, these assemblages take their cues from the Multiplane camera’s principles (used to make vintage cartoons), Objects are arranged on different glass plates to create dimensionality,. Evoking a 70s sci-fi aesthetic utilizing simple shapes and repurposing everyday items from the $ store, The goal is to convey complex tales with minimal materials, relying on light, color, and depth to create these futuristic dioramas.
II_Aura
Informed by the grainy echoes of early Apollo Space TV transmissions, my cyanotype photogram process embraces irregularities and accidents. From the same $ store props, through meticulous layering, these shapes are exposed on paper to utilize the negative space, creating a parallel narrative. The images evoke a far-off alien probe delivering grainy snapshots of extraterrestrial pictographs. The resulting images take on a mythical quality, becoming visual artifacts, like relics from a future civilization
III_celestial hieroglyphs
Amid mysterious coded systems, these photos echo the visual feel of the Arecibo Messages—a SETI endeavor. Radio signals, data-turned-binary, sent through space embodying our human make-up. Yet, these images are created from a child’s toy—a conduit for creating graphic symbols that resemble celestial hieroglyphs.
As I delved deeper, each photograph became a vessel for tales—of gods, aliens, unseen viruses. The cheap $ store items used for the props ceased to be mere objects, they became symbols and doorways to other dimensions. The aim is to surprise and reshape our perceptions, encouraging us to discover the often-overlooked details and symbolism imbued within objects. In this constructed reality of simple, happy endings and the allure of heroic journeys. The project became a conduit for exorcising my fears and anxieties, creating folk tales of the future.
