Shocking Black and White Face Illustrations. Moscow-based photographer Alexander Khokhlov uses the human face as his canvas for creating graphic, black and white illustrations.
From the WiFi icon to the skip of a pulse line across his model's eyes, Khokhlov's vision is extraordinarily unique. Rather than relying on canvas, paper, or any other synthetic material as his foundation, Khokhlov relies on the beauty and lines of the feminine face to form this project, entitled Weird Beauty. The well designed face art, combined with simple and elegant female faces, presents viewers with a complex optical illusion of positive and negative space. Our eye is naturally and initially attracted to the strong black and white graphics painted by artist Valeriya Kutsan.
But, after that, we are visually invited to explore the multiple layers of the photograph, from the swirls of perfect lines to the flawless skin, long lashes, piercing eyes, and emotionless expressions found beneath the paint. Alexander Khokhlov's website via [PetaPixel] Experiment with Nature. Definition: Refraction : re·frac·tion – [ri-frak-shuhn] The change of direction of a ray of light in passing obliquely from one medium into another in which its wave velocity is different Markus Reugels of Deutschland uses the properties of refraction to create beautiful miniature worlds inside drops of water.
Check out more of his work at: flickr.com/photos/maianer All images courtesy of Markus Reugels Moon Earth Mars Jupiter Venus Psychedelic Chess Camera Setup photography, refractions, water drops. Juha Arvid Helminen’s Shadow People. Finnish photographer Juha Arvid Helminen has created a black on black series that has me all aflutter.
It’s the same mix of fear and attraction as the first time I read The Invisible Man or watched The Headless Horseman at the age of six. And a more recent instance–a shameful tickle in my pants upon discovering Pyramid Head in Silent Hill. Besides the fetish appeal of complete coverage, tight-lacing, and uniforms, for me the mystery factor is the most potent reason for such a strong visceral response.
Masking to create apprehension and giving the imagination freedom to explore its limits is such a common literary and artistic instrument that it’s almost surprising to feel just how effective it is. I’m sipping a cup of tea in the middle of afternoon–far from a spooky ambiance–yet every time I look at these images another infinite, matte black dimension of anxiety unfolds. Rune Guneriussen.
These dream-like installations are assembled, and then photographed by Norwegian artist Rune Guneriussen.
Just imagine being out for a walk in Norway’s countryside, turning a corner and discovering a magical forest of lamps, a tangle of chairs, or a river of books. Sadly, once the photograph is taken, Rune removes the installation, the only proof of it’s existence being these images… sort of like waking up from an amazing dream that you could have sworn was real. As an artist, I believe strongly that art itself should be questioning and bewildering as opposed to patronising and restricting. As opposed to the current fashion I do not want to dictate a way to the understanding of my art, but rather indicate a path to understanding a story. Rune Guneriussen’s site. Rashad Alakbarov Paints with Shadows and Light. This is kind of flying all over the internet right now, but I couldn’t resist sharing.
Artist Rashad Alakbarov from Azerbaijan uses suspended translucent objects and other found materials to create light and shadow paintings on walls. The jaw-dropping light painting above, made with an array of colored airplanes is currently on view at the Fly to Baku exhibition at De Pury Gallery in London through January 29th. (via art wednesday, fasels suppe)