Process

Video

Noumenon Objectifying in Four Parts

2005
Assemblage with emanating reflection optical lens
48 x 19 x 6 inches
A unique, holographic-like reflection is produced by the lens.
Collection of Catarina Sigerfoos

The concept of Noumenon as the ultimate Source of all things is paralleled in the Buddhist tradition in the Tao and within the Hindu and Judeo/Christian religions as Brahman and God respectively. (See artist notes for “Noumenon”). When the resting pure Awareness of this Source becomes active thru the object/subject conceptualization of a living being, as commonly through the thoughts and actions of humans, then a new entity believing itself separate from the Source is activated called the ego. This tentacle out of nothing has come out to feel around, to play, what the Hindu call Maya; the game of the Universal Mind, and what the Buddhists call suffering. In the search to find itself again and having separated itself into subject and object, various names and shapes are assigned this place it must return to. From here we derive the variety of Gods and deities that rule the imaginary world.

Emanating Reflection Optical Lens

I developed this lens for the Noumenon pieces by accident while looking for a way to emulate the effect of endless darkness. Bright reflections will appear to come out of the lens as if floating just in front of the glass. The effect is especially pronounced when a laser is directed into the window, here, a beautiful spider web of geometry appears and will contort and twist with any movement of the beam. The tiny dot of the laser reflection appears to float out in front of the windows.

BRUDNIAK

“Steve Brudniak’s densely crafted wall sculptures are as sobering as headstones, as quietly enervating as HAL 9000. Articulated silver serpents undulate like the blindly probing thoughts they represent from a series of brass vaults, each labeled with a religious figure, each reminiscent of the human knack for turning the sublime into cement cellblocks. He makes profound use of the dual reflective and repellent qualities of polished stone, surfaces and precious metals.”

ELAINE WOLFE – San Antonio Current