Cube

This is an oil painting made on custom built birch/oak panels created for a competition hosted by The Space By The Bay in Alameda, California. It is a subjective interpretation of the "white cube" assignment that is common amongst foundation courses in fine art programs. Drawing a cube objectively helps a student to practice drawing, proportion, value and composition through imitation. Subjectively, in this painting, I explore how a cube can be realized through indirect elements. In other words, a cube is many things beyond six sides and I emphasize these alternative qualities to realize the cube in a more creative way. A cube is multidimensional. We know it as 3 dimensional. I emphasize the 2 dimensional interpretation of the cube by creating a perfect hexagon made from 6 circles. A cube exists in an environment. Int his painting each visible plane has a dominant value that suggests a light source. The gradations in value and shifting color temperature of the background help emphasize the environment light. A cube has a surface texture. A textured surface is exaggerated while the integral form of the cube is preserved by integrating a range of values on each plane. A cube is not fixed. The cube appears suspended, and perhaps in motion, which is emphasized by the unconnected cast shadow and the overall format of the painting- an irregular hexagon. A drawing of a cube can be interpreted as concave or convex (outside or inside). The irregular hexagon format, in relation to the smaller, suspended regular hexagon, may be considered a foreshortened meta cube, which may be interpreted as and exterior or interior. The cast shadow of the cube can also be considered a square hole in a ground plane. This creates a playful quality element to the painting. As an audience we can imagine the cube having come from the void or perhaps able to fit into it. Thus, the structure of the hole becomes an indirect descriptive element of the suspended form. Over the next few days I will build out the form and texture of the smaller, suspended hexagon (cube).