Natural and Ethereal
In this striking photograph, an extraordinary sculpture of a single-century plant leaf is a harmonious confluence of art and science. The photos capture a posture that evokes fluidity and style, like dance and the chic of high fashion. The silhouette projects a symbol of elegance. Most importantly, the sculpture is not just an object but a performance, telling a story that unfolds in the shifting light of day and night. https://larryjortega.com/product/symbolic-of-the-transcendent/
The piece produces an eerie glow from a palette of rare-earth minerals—something not of this world.
Chemistry and art achieve this ethereal luminance. An intricate layering of translucent resins and a palette of rare earth minerals yields a bioluminescent-like effect, like Ying and Yang—transforming its visual dialogue between the sunlit hours and the mystical veil of the night.
The colors in the sculpture are purposely engineered to emit light throughout the nocturnal hours, only to reset with the break of dawn. Meanwhile, the piece harnesses solar energy during the day. Thus making it a symbiotic dance with the sun. It reposits the “excited light ” to release the energy at night. As a result, the work is a cyclical art experience. In addition, it is a one-of-a-kind work that offers differing narratives depending on when it is viewed.https://larryjortega.com/resilience-in-radiance/
Concise yet impactful, this sculpture of the desert transcends the limitations of traditional art forms, marrying visual grandeur with technological ingenuity. It serves as a poignant reminder that art is not static. Instead, it is an ever-evolving pattern of color and light. It challenges us to see the world—and perhaps even the universe—through new eyes.
Grafitti: Messages from the Desert
Message
Another layer of complexity emerges through the ephemeral phenomenon of “light trails.” These are not mere reflections or projections but interactive visual elements created through a poetic interplay between a laser pen and the sculpture’s rare earth minerals. When the laser light interacts with these minerals, an illumination occurs, a brief graffiti of light that clings to the sculpture’s surface before gradually fading away.
First, the transience of these light trails evokes a sense of impermanence and spirituality. As a result, it turns the sculpture into a metaphysical canvas where one can inscribe prayers, thoughts, ideas, or expressions of gratitude. It’s as if the message, once written, is captured in the piece only momentarily, to be released thereafter into the cosmos. Here, the art becomes more than a visual feast; it is a vessel for ephemeral yet profound human expressions. A sculpture of the desert DNA.
The vanishing nature of the ‘light graffiti’ introduces a unique temporal aspect to the work. As a result, Just as dawn renews the sculpture’s colors, it captures these fleeting messages and then releases them. Perhaps as an allegory for the transient yet impactful nature of human emotions and thoughts.
Meanwhile, this sculpture doesn’t find a static object but a continually evolving entity, captivating by day and mystical by night. The piece captures the imagination in a powerful blend of vision and scientific innovation.
