Blacklight and Installation

Artworks created with florescent materials are best viewed in an environment lit solely by fluorescent tube blacklight sources. The overall effect of this intense otherworldly lighting is reminiscent of the intense electrically charged color that the mind uses to project images from stored memories in dream states. Because of the odd resemblance of these complex vivid color effects to the type of color viewed in actual dream states, the effect of an artistic handling of blacklight images can be particularly mesmerizing, beautiful and engaging. The underlying metaphoric content of the exhibit is the alternate reality and value of the dream-state. Dreams surround us both day and night; they have reality and can give us strength in life even when they are not physically fulfilled.

Much of the imagery for these blacklight installations is derived from my ongoing fascination with the combined influence of science, applied technology, politics and economics on the present-day American mindset. For example an artwork that presents a freeway interchange as both powerful and beautiful can act as a metaphor for the complex social and political questions it raises.

The intuitive truths and reality that can be found in dreams are generally dismissed as imponderable figments. The complex, non-linear and often metaphoric messages found in many contemporary artworks liken them to dreams and diminish their direct, main-steam, sociopolitical influence. Still, if the past is any indicator, art and dreams will persist in having a vital long-term influence on the course of human history.

Title: Ground Control (Fluorescent Installation Detail)

Media: Fluorescent Materials: Screenprint, Ink Wash, Prismacolor Colored Pencil, Pastel, Marker Pens

Size: 6’ x 12’

Title:Walkabout (Fluorescent Installation Detail)

Media:Fluorescent Materials: Screenprint, Ink Wash, Prismacolor Colored Pencil, Pastel, Marker Pens

Size: 6’ x 4’

Title: Revolution Tango (Fluorescent Installation Detail)

Media:Fluorescent Materials: Screenprint, Ink Wash,Prismacolor Colored Pencil, Pastel, Marker Pens

Size: 5’ x 4’

Title: Skate (Fluorescent Installation Detail)

Media: Fluorescent Materials: Screenprint, Ink Wash, Prismacolor Colored Pencil, Pastel, Marker Pens

Size: 8’ x 8’ x 10’

Title: Public Transportation - Burning Bus (Fluorescent Installation Detail)

Media:Fluorescent Materials: Screenprint, Ink Wash, Prismacolor Colored Pencil, Pastel, Marker Pens

Size: 5’ x 6’

Title: Freeway (Fluorescent Installation Detail)

Media: Fluorescent Materials: Screenprint, Ink Wash, Prismacolor Colored Pencil, Pastel, Marker Pens

Size: 6’ x 5’

Title: Floor (Fluorescent Installation Detail)

Media: Fluorescent Materials: Screenprint, Ink Wash, Charcoal, Graphite, & Pastel

Size: 9’ x 12’

Title: Doll (Fluorescent Installation Detail)

Media: Fluorescent Materials: Screenprint, Ink Wash, Charcoal, Graphite, & Pastel

Size: 6’ x 5’

Title: Riot (Fluorescent Installation Detail)

Media: Fluorescent Materials: Screenprint, Ink Wash,
Charcoal, Graphite, & Pastel

Size: 7’ x 18’x 2’

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© 2010 Matthew Sugarman. All rights reservced.