Charles Emlen

The universe is a vast array of infinite variation.

While much of this variation already exists, most does not exist and probably never will. Or perhaps it exists only as having the potential to exist. As humans, we have the unique ability knowingly to create things that were not here before and, in doing so, become privy to the notion that there is an immense reservoir of things that have not yet, nor ever will, be seen.

In our 3D space (opposite), Charlie’s installation comprises this work:

“Contemplo Armamento” composite video animation 3000.

(top left on the 3D wall)

“Simple Simplex” aluminum print 450.

(above right and standing in case)

“Viral Encryption” painted steel sculpture 1600.

Charlie’s work the Wall:

“Contemplation” (above left) aluminum print 450.

“Double Regalia” aluminum print 450.

“Rhythm Section” (on cover) aluminum print 600.

Big or small, rational or complex, I love them all. Some numbers are incomprehensibly large, others infinitesimally small. Many numbers exist on a much more manageable, human scale, and their relationships to other numbers are what holds my attention.

For example...

In this installation there are two monitors. One displays a 10-minute looping composite video. The second shows a random slideshow with roughly 110 unique images. All the imagery in both the video and the slideshow represent various documentative aspects of my work and there’s quite a bit to see. Assuming the video changes every 5 seconds, that alone provides approximately 120 individual scenes. Combining those scenes with the slideshow images yields well over 10,000 unique scene/image pairings! A veritable cornucopia of iterative design. Numbers. :-)