“We are
all a part of one single unfurling fractal reality and connected to each other,"
contemporary Nigerian artist, Godwin Arikpo, jointly exhibiting with Promise
O’nali, has declared.
"Everything in the universe is
connected," he added, "as part of this great expanding fractal cosmic
entity. Each life form is a variant of fractal dynamics."
This has set the tone for an exhibition
unusual, a fusion of geometry and visual art, titled "…Of Fractals and
Embryos", which opens
on November 3, 2018. Time is 3pm; and the venue is Alexis
Galleries, Victoria Island, Lagos. It runs till November 17, 2018.
To Arikpo, the study of Fractal geometry allows
bounded curves of infinite length, and closed surfaces, with infinite area. It
even allows curves with positive volume, and arbitrarily large groups of
shapes, with exactly the same boundary. This is exactly how our lungs manage to
maximize their surface area.
“Physiologists discovered an empirical understanding
of how much blood flows through our circulatory system, and how this relates to
the physical size of the vessels that carry it. The kidneys, the liver, the
pancreas are all organs created along self-similar fractal rules. So too is the
most extraordinary of all; the human brain which is, without conviction, a very
fractal piece of art! It has a fascinatingly fractal structure. You only have
to look at it to see that. It is visually crumpled and wrinkled and highly
intricate, as it folds back and fort on itself,” says the Port
Harcourt-based artist.
For Godwin Arikpo, Fractals permeate
our lives and the whole system of the universe is essentially governed by flow
dynamics. With each of us being a part of one inconceivably large unfurling
fractal entity that constitutes everything, our purpose becomes evidently to
participate consciously and continue the journey, of evolution and entropy, by
expressing creativity that keeps the whole thing expanding; rather than
descending into a flat field of sameness. But all contribute as part of
this one unfurling, fractal whole.
His co-exhibitor, Promise O’nali, brings a
fresh perspective, to compliment Arikpo's geometry -- Embryos!
“Embryos," O'nali
explained, "are
metaphors for evolution, change, growth, advancement, formation. Evolving
consciousness doesn't happen overnight. People will have to experience
the pros and cons of certain actions, before deciding on the best action to
take for optimal result. And these changes would have to begin with a shift in
our individual and collective consciousness. We have to decide consciously to
make things easier and better for ourselves and our immediate
environment. This will, in turn, have a ripple effect, which would set
off a kind of Pandora's box that puts our consciousness on a higher pedestal.”
To him: “The paintings of circles and
embryos are metaphors for consciousness evolution. These works are mostly
of figures in profile, embedded in circles, laden with embryonic swirls, which
represent the consciousness bubble of each individual, family, community,
nation, etc. We always find ourselves in these bubbles we have created; and it
influences the way we interact with other people and handle sensitive
situations. For me," he explained, "embryos represent our states of
consciousness. It grows everyday. But its growth rate depends
heavily on what and how we feed it.”
...Of Fractals and Embryos encapsulates the idea of
embryos, as an artistic exploration of the evolution of collective
consciousness; and how it enhances human development. Our circulatory system,
our lungs, our brains are like trees. They are fractal structures. Most natural
bodies -- and that includes us, human beings -- are composed of many different
types of fractals, woven into each other, each with parts which have different
fractal dimensions.
How our minds work is highly dependent on
what we feed it with. If we only think and consume ideas that move us to
the next level of human development, then our immediate environment will be a
lot more conducive; and inviting both for human interaction and economic growth.
“Alexis Galleries is pleased to exhibit the
works of these artists. This is the first time the works of these selling
artists will be on view in our gallery and we are happy to show their recent
works. The exhibition will feature about 30 paintings and mixed media
masterfully created,” says the CEO of the gallery and curator of the
exhibition, Mrs. Patty
Chidiac-Mastrogiannis.
The exhibition deals with human evolution
and our ever evolving society. …Of
Fractals and Embryos humans have always been surrounded with events
and people that teach them certain ideals about life. These experiences
form the nucleus of each individual's circle of consciousness. Each
individual’s way of life is highly dependent on his level of consciousness and
in hind sight, we are all surrounded in a consciousness bubble.
...Of Fractals and Embryos is a commingle of two
artists and their different philosophies of the evolution of consciousness
“This exhibition wouldn’t have been possible
without our sponsors:Pepsi, Delta Airline, Amarula, Nederburg, Cobranet
Internet Service Provider, Cool FM, Wazobia FM/TV, Chocolate Royal, The Avenue
Suites, Art Café and The Homestores Limited who have been very supportive,” says Chidiac-Mastrogiannis.
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