VIEWER FATIGUE
Recently, in a discussion about analog audio recording, someone mentioned the phenomenon of 'tape fatigue'. He described it as what happens when you re-record on tape again and again, and over time as the tape 'fatigues' unique audio remnants begin to appear, giving the recording a particular patina. This reminded me of my fondness for building up multiple layers, particularly when some layers end up completely obscured (as in this piece). I believe their presence carries meaning, adds character, even when concealed. I build up a composition out of bits and parts - layering, concealing and revealing until some other unexpected image begins to appear. My own version of 'tape fatigue' adds to the texture as I layer images of popular culture. When Googling 'tape fatigue' I came across a description of 'listener fatigue', which is a phenomenon that occurs after prolonged exposure to an auditory stimulus. Symptoms include tiredness, discomfort, pain, and loss of sensitivity. I believe the unprecedented barrage of visual stimuli we experience in modern western culture leads to a similar phenomenon, and contributes to an omnipresent low-level anxiety that permeates our culture. I call this 'viewer fatigue'. I documented the process of creating this image using time-lapse footage. I like the idea of the viewer discovering secret artifacts & images within the piece, and the time-based accompaniment to the artwork, along with the music, adds a new dimension. Here is the process video, with an original song by Avi Jacob called "To Be Alive". Avi was staying in my studio and writing this song while I was working on this artwork, and it seemed the perfect synchronicity. Ideally the viewer can watch the video while looking at the original artwork in order to glimpse the obscured and hidden bits and pieces. The original one-of-a-kind works on paper are available below - these are all 18x24”.
