Monika Wulfers

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Artist Statement
Lines and Numbers
Complex units such as a square or a circle are composed of space, points, and outlines. The smallest unit, seemingly the simplest, a point, can be defined by a gestural mark. A point can also be defined by numerical notation. A point can be considered an objective unit. Letters and numerals can be considered objective units. These units serve as organizing elements of reality. I am working with the relationships of these units as premise for visual knowing, art. (April 1979)
In 1975 I watched a line invent itself, as a small green phosphor, traveling across the computer screen. Just like radii make up the circumference of a circle, many small green dots made up a line on-screen.

The concept of ‘line’, a mark made on or in a surface, is an invention like systems of writing and ciphers. A line is also the continuity between two points. A point would be the absolute reduction of a line.

Placement is a central aspect of the concept of numbers. In Random 1111 8888, I define four points in four quadrants. Linear compositions are based on a given number of points and move between those points in all possibilities, any given number of lines at a time. Each combination is defined by a unique matrix, which presents a closed form or circle by repeating the values of the first line in the matrix.

In a narrative, a story or sequence of events, images are pieced together to tell the story. I am extending narrative to include a sequence of objects in space. I am interested in the ordering of objects in a given space, whereby space becomes narrative.

I trace artistic influences to the conceptual work of the late sixties, especially the work of Lawrence Weiner, who found new ways to incorporate space into the 2-dimensional plane; Ian Wilson, who used contextual manipulations in his discussions; Dan Flavin, whose fluorescent works captured my imagination; and Hanne Darboven, whose work alerted me to aspects of seeing and thinking.


 
Curriculum vitae | Space as Narrative | Notes on Early Work | Notes on Digital Photography | Notes on Video Work |

Portfolio I | Portfolio II | Portfolio III | Video | Text

© 2005 Monika Wulfers. All rights reserved. No images or information may be reproduced, transmitted or copied.