Currently open within one of the exhibition spaces at Michiel Bechir Gallery, operated and curated by Michiel Bechir, is Marked by Shadow, Moved by Light, an intriguing exhibition by photographer artist, gallery curator, music afficionado and blogger, Owl Dragonash.
Owl is a veritable tour de force within Second Life. As a founder of galleries – notably Cloud Galleries and Maison de la Chouette – and host and promoter of live music events across the grid, Owl works tirelessly to bring people and communities together and bring artists and musicians to the attention of a wider audience. As an artist-photographer in her own right, Owl is often featured in exhibitions and art events, as well as having her own Flickr stream. However, Marked by Shadow, Moved by Light is something special; perhaps an experiment in approach and technique and the use of shadow and light, but one rich in content and enigmatic in presentation and meaning.
In Marked by Shadow, Moved by Light, I explore embodiment in flux – how light carries form, how shadow reveal emotion; how we carry markings both chosen and inherited. Each piece captures a moment of stillness within transformation.
– Owl Dragonash
Comprising 10 pieces, this is an collection of what might best be called primal images. From black-and-white through pieces predominantly using primary colours to the use of more natural tones, all ten are richly expressive and also highly tactile in their finish. Each is evocatively titled, helping to nudge our thinking in a certain direction, but it is in that use of colour, light, shadow and finish that captivates and engages. As Owl goes on to note in her artist’s statement:
The stripped illumination suggests something primal and performative – like camouflage, ritual paint, or the imprint of memory. Wings, horns and hooves hint at hybrid identities – creatures caught between wildness and wonder.
– Owl Dragonash
This within this collection we have a dual thrust: on the one hand, we have images that evoke a vein of fantasy and imagination all too common to the entire human existence, touching on themes of paganism, mysticism, mythology, mixing into some pieces more “modern” adult themes. The latter is particularly expressed within Suspension of Will, Bloodlight Offering and Feathered Restraint; all three of which are additionally nuanced in their mixing of adult themes and ideas of transformation and sacrifice.
On the other hand, these images offer a subtle and unique mirror on the ability for Second Life to become the vessel of transformation for each and everyone of us; allowing us to become whatever we like and experience whatever might draw us to itself. The use of colour, light and shadow further invoke and enhance on two levels as well. Firstly, it does indeed evoke the ideas of body painting and through it the creation of hybrid identities for the purposes of ritual, etc. Secondly, the combination of the three – light, shadow and colour – reflects how our wants and desires and hopes for engagement and / or transformative are given form within the digital realm.
In all, and as stated, an intriguing and highly engaging exhibition, well worth visiting and exploring. Should you do so, note that Owl suggests Marked by Shadow, Moved by Light should be seen with the viewer’s environment is set to Midnight.
SLurl Details
- Marked by Shadow, Moved by Light, Michiel Bechir Gallery (Embrace, rated Adult)
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