Lifestyle News South Africa

Bell exhibits works of iPhoneography using iPhone 4

Artist Suzy Bell is currently exhibiting two new works at the Artspace Gallery in Durban in a group exhibition of iPhoneography. Sun Flung is a panel of iPhoneography images on white gloss vinyl. It is a reconceptualised celebration of a James Joyce line from Ulysses: "On his wise shoulders through the checkerwork of leaves the sun flung spangles, dancing coins."

Sun Flung is a series of iPhoneography light paintings shot on an iPhone4. It was shot sequentially using the same backdrop, a rectangular sandstone tile. The mid-tones and contrast were adjusted to re-create the original images to present an abstract visual narrative.

Nature is worthy of infinite respect

"Sun Flung is a small reminder that we are intrinsically part of nature," says Bell. "Nature is worthy not only of our awe, but of our infinite respect, considered preservation and far closer attention. Nature's infinite shapes, diverse rhythms, and sublime, mysterious patterns echo our science, our existence, and our creative cosmos. The simplicity of shadows of sunlight dancing through leaves onto the earth evokes our naked geography and our evolving, constantly transforming, creative selves.

"I am entranced by the creative visual language of the sun and the duality of its constantly changing light. Whenever I see 'dancing coins' of light I think of James Joyce, specifically Ulysses, which is a wonderful, generous literary work for an artist to leave behind for humanity to explore," she says.

Bell is a published poet, author, picture-comic book artist, art columnist, art blogger and cultural activist. She lectures in English and African Literature and poetry at a private college. She is currently exploring and experimenting as a multimedia artist working with text/poetry and sound performance, iPhone videography and iPhoneography.

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