Nine years ago Benjamin worked as a barista. He loved the process of crafting drinks for people and it was the first time I heard about ephemeral art. He took great care to pull perfect shots, to steam the milk just right, and then to carefully integrate the two with a lovely design atop the latte. It’s a detailed visual craft that is appreciated for but a moment before the first delicious sip is savored.
I’ve thought a lot about his coffee craft these last few weeks as I’ve considered the kinds of collages I want to make. First and foremost, they must have cast shadows. This is a creative craving I’ve had for 13 years. As with any collage, I began with flat layouts, nudging each piece into its carefully chosen spot. But in this case, glue wasn’t a welcome medium since it would prevent the layered papers from laying naturally and casting shadows. I realized I had the opportunity to dance with ephemeral art if I avoided glue altogether, so I did.
The collages I’m creating are temporal. They’re created in that moment, shot with my camera, and then stored as separate tiny pieces in a small box in case they’re needed again for a future shoot. There’s so much I love about this. I love that so much thought and consideration goes into making a piece that in the end doesn’t physically exist. It’s made of tangible pieces and parts, but is captured in a photo. In the photo, the viewer can see the textures of the papers and the shadows cast by each layer… the rich texture invites the viewer in and creates a desire to reach out - to feel the textures and the edges. But it’s impossible to do so. The art lives in a liminal space… not fully flat, but not touchable either. Dancing with these concepts intrigues me.
My obsession with 3D collage began when I saw a book illustrated with all manner of 3D elements. Every bit of its visual richness encouraged me to reach out and touch the many textures, but when my fingers searched over the page, the page was, of course, flat.
These finished collages live in liminal space. They exist because you can see them, but not in the form the camera preserved them in. They have rich, textural feels, but not ones that you can touch with your fingers - the experience can only be felt with the eyes and imagined in the mind.
This piece is a wee one. The penny shows its small scale.