Memento Mori
2012 unique chromogenic photogram 90" x 90" (3 30" x 90" panels) Earlier this week Memento Mori was installed in The Fishbowl Window of Blackfish Gallery located at 420 NW 9th Avenue in Portland, OR. Blackfish Gallery offers one window space per month to artists who are seeking a venue in which to exhibit installation works, and Memento Mori is the guest piece this April. Memento Mori will be on display until April 30, 2015. Opening reception on April 2nd at 6:00 PM during 1st Thursday. I also have artwork on display during 1st Thursday at Blue Sky Gallery. See more here. About Memento Mori: Memento Mori is a Latin phrase that translates to "Remember your mortality." It is an artistic theme dating back to antiquity, and it refers to a genre of artworks that vary widely but which share a common purpose: to alter people to their ephemerality. More than a work of art, Memento Mori acts as a catalyst for the human imagination to engage with questions surrounding the nature of life and death. It acts upon the mortal constraints of all people, and the finite, fragile boundaries of the human body. Using the symbolism of nature, I created a triptych of a tree which illustrates new growth in the first panel, extends into full bloom in the second panel, and concludes with a third panel of dead branches and fallen leaves. The tree exhibits a transitory beauty, an ephemeral symbol of mortality that engages the Earth as a living medium, and illustrates the passage of time. The tree image is a living Memento Mori. Its purpose is to remind the viewer that death is an unavoidable part of life, something to be prepared for at all times. But the image of the tree also reminds us of something startling and important: life is meaningful, temporary, and sacred. You can read more about Memento Mori on a previous blog post here. Purchase a print of Memento Mori here.
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If you have questions or comments I would love to hear them. Much love to you all!
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Memento Mori 2012 unique chromogenic photogram 90" x 90" (3 30" x 90" panels) Last week I installed Memento Mori in The Arthur located at 726 SW 11th Avenue in Portland, Oregon. The Arthur recently opened for business and offers micro studios in the heart of downtown Portland for those wanting to live the urban lifestyle in the thriving west end. The Arthur is conveniently situated on 11th Avenue between Morrison and Yamhill in the heart of Downtown Portland. With the Streetcar running directly in front of the building and MAX lines running to the North and South, it's never be too far from all the city has to offer. Portland's West End offers plenty of attractions including City Target, Providence Park, food carts, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, boutiques, Portland State, and so much more! Learn more about The Arthur here. The owner of The Arthur said he selected Memento Mori because it is beautiful, pleasant to the eye, and he loves the philosophy of it. Additionally, color and light were an important part of the remodel of the building, which Memento Mori compliments well. Memento Mori installed in The Arthur:About Memento Mori: Memento Mori is a Latin phrase that translates to "Remember your mortality." It is an artistic theme dating back to antiquity, and it refers to a genre of artworks that vary widely but which share a common purpose: to alter people to their ephemerality. More than a work of art, Memento Mori acts as a catalyst for the human imagination to engage with questions surrounding the nature of life and death. It acts upon the mortal constraints of all people, and the finite, fragile boundaries of the human body. Using the symbolism of nature, I created a triptych of a tree which illustrates new growth in the first panel, extends into full bloom in the second panel, and concludes with a third panel of dead branches and fallen leaves. The tree exhibits a transitory beauty, an ephemeral symbol of mortality that engages the Earth as a living medium, and illustrates the passage of time. The tree image is a living Memento Mori. Its purpose is to remind the viewer that death is an unavoidable part of life, something to be prepared for at all times. But the image of the tree also reminds us of something startling and important: life is meaningful, temporary, and sacred. Thank you for viewing! If you have questions or comments I would love to hear them. Much love to you all! Memento Mori 2012 unique chromogenic photogram 90" x 90" (3 30" x 90" panels) Earlier this week Memento Mori was installed in The Fishbowl Window of Blackfish Gallery located at 420 NW 9th Avenue in Portland, OR. Blackfish Gallery offers one window space per month to artists who are seeking a venue in which to exhibit installation works, and Memento Mori is the guest piece this August. Memento Mori will be on display until August 30, 2014. Please join me for opening reception on August 7th at 6:00 PM during 1st Thursday. See the Facebook event here. I also have artwork on display during 1st Thursday at Blue Sky Gallery. See more here. About Memento Mori: Memento Mori is a Latin phrase that translates to "Remember your mortality." It is an artistic theme dating back to antiquity, and it refers to a genre of artworks that vary widely but which share a common purpose: to alter people to their ephemerality. More than a work of art, Memento Mori acts as a catalyst for the human imagination to engage with questions surrounding the nature of life and death. It acts upon the mortal constraints of all people, and the finite, fragile boundaries of the human body. Using the symbolism of nature, I created a triptych of a tree which illustrates new growth in the first panel, extends into full bloom in the second panel, and concludes with a third panel of dead branches and fallen leaves. The tree exhibits a transitory beauty, an ephemeral symbol of mortality that engages the Earth as a living medium, and illustrates the passage of time. The tree image is a living Memento Mori. Its purpose is to remind the viewer that death is an unavoidable part of life, something to be prepared for at all times. But the image of the tree also reminds us of something startling and important: life is meaningful, temporary, and sacred. You can read more about Memento Mori on a previous blog post here. Purchase a print of Memento Mori here. Thank you for viewing! If you have questions or comments I would love to hear them. Much love to you all! Memento Mori 2012 unique chromogenic photogram 90" x 90" (3 30" x 90" panels) Last week I installed Memento Mori at one of Amazon's buildings in Seattle, WA. Memento Mori is a Latin phrase that translates to "Remember your mortality." It is an artistic theme dating back to antiquity, and it refers to a genre of artworks that vary widely but which share a common purpose: to alter people to their ephemerality. More than a work of art, Memento Mori acts as a catalyst for the human imagination to engage with questions surrounding the nature of life and death. It acts upon the mortal constraints of all people, and the finite, fragile boundaries of the human body. Using the symbolism of nature, I created a triptych of a tree which illustrates new growth in the first panel, extends into full bloom in the second panel, and concludes with a third panel of dead branches and fallen leaves. The tree exhibits a transitory beauty, an ephemeral symbol of mortality that engages the Earth as a living medium, and illustrates the passage of time. The tree image is a living Memento Mori. Its purpose is to remind the viewer that death is an unavoidable part of life, something to be prepared for at all times. But the image of the tree also reminds us of something startling and important: life is meaningful, temporary, and sacred. I produced this 7.5-foot-wide by 7.5-foot-tall work of art with a grant from The Celebration Foundation. Memento Mori is exhibited in a window front of an Amazon building in Seattle, on Harrison Street between 8th Avenue North and 9th Avenue North. It is displayed as part of Storefronts Seattle, a non-profit, which aims to activate empty storefronts with vibrant art and creative projects. I am one of only a few non-local artists granted participation in the program which provides opportunities for artists to create dynamic, engaging artworks that reach out to passersby and activate our built environment. Memento Mori was installed on March 4, 2014 and will be on display until June 5, 2014, at which time I will transport the work of art to Portland, OR for a window exhibition at Blackfish Gallery. You can read more about Memento Mori on a previous blog post here. Below are photographs of the installation. Click on images to enlarge and read more. Thank you for viewing! If you have questions or comments I would love to hear them. Much love to you all! ♥ Natasha Memento Mori 2012 unique chromogenic photogram 90" x 90" (3 30" x 90" panels) Artist's Statement: Memento Mori is a Latin phrase that translates to "Remember your mortality." The Memento is an artistic theme dating back to antiquity, and it refers to a genre of artworks that vary widely but which share a common purpose: to remind people of their mortality. More than a work of art, Memento Mori acts as a catalyst for the human imagination to engage with questions surrounding the nature of life and death; on the mortal constraints of all people, and the finite, fragile boundaries of the human body. The tree of life has been used as a symbol by all branches of human knowing. It emerges in various world theologies, mythologies, and philosophies; it concedes a mysterious reality alluding to the interconnectedness of all life on our planet, and provides a metaphor for our common, evolutionary ancestry. The tree exhibits a transitory beauty, an ephemeral symbol of mortality that engages the Earth as a living medium, and illustrates the passage of time. The triptych structure of Memento Mori deepens the symbolism of the tree itself— branches reaching to the sky, roots plunging deep in the earth, and a trunk planted firmly in between. The tree dwells in three worlds and offers a fragile link between heaven, earth, and underworld. Uniting above and below, the passage of growth and decay, the tree takes on the appearance of death in the winter, only to sprout new branches with the return of spring. In this way, the tree is a symbol of resurrection, a potent medium erupting from unbroken terrains, flourishing in open air, and falling into dark geographies once more. Memento Mori acquires a moralizing purpose—the prospect of death serves to emphasize the emptiness and fleetingness of earthly pleasures, luxuries, and achievements, and thus serves as an invitation to focus one's thoughts on the fragility of existence and the prospect of the afterlife. Memento Mori reveals the multifaceted nature of the death-rebirth mystery and serves to illuminate the human life cycle. Viewers of Memento Mori are invited to contemplate life and death from multiple points of view. The tree image is a living Memento Mori. Its purpose is to remind the viewer that death is an unavoidable part of life, something to be prepared for at all times. But the image of the tree also reminds us of something startling and important: life is meaningful, temporary, and sacred. This artwork was funded by a grant from The Celebration Foundation. It will be exhibited at Blackfish Gallery in Portland, OR in 2014. I am looking for a location to exhibit this piece before and after its exhibition at Blackfish Gallery. If you have any ideas please let me know. Purchase a print here. Thank you for viewing! If you have questions or comments I would love to hear them. Much love to you all! ♥ Natasha |
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I am an artist working with light, combining contemporary & archaic processes to push the bounds of conventional photography. Archives
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