Trevor Paglen - Capturing Secret Government Satellites

Photographer, author and geographer Trevor Paglen has been investigating aspects of society beyond national and international law; the secret realms and activity of government agents and departments.

As he states on his website, “[My] work deliberately blurs lines between science, contemporary art, journalism, and other disciplines to construct unfamiliar, yet meticulously researched ways to see and interpret the world around us.” I first encountered his work at a gallery part of the Brighton Photo Biennial in the UK in October, and have been fascinated by his work and writing since.

His series The Other Night Sky (pictured), is a project to track and photograph classified American satellites, space debris, and other unknown objects in Earth’s orbit. Paglen’s background in geography aids his use of observational data collected by an international network of amateur satellite observers to calculate the position and timing of each object. Special software and a long exposure allow the specific object to be delineated from other satellites and celestial objects.

Other series’ see Paglen using telephoto lens technology to photograph secret military bases and installations within the United States. Some of his subjects are captured from over 60 miles away. In another series, Paglen photographs the similarly mysterious and contentious US military “Drone” program of unmanned aircraft used for long range surveillance and for low-profile bombing missions. Another series sees the artist secretly documenting the secret and mysterious activities of the CIA, including secret international bases used for torture outside of US law. Other images see unmarked and unreported planes (torture planes known as ”torture taxis’) used in CIA operations (largely breaking international laws) and using falsified travel documentation while operating abroad.

- Rob Echlin

David Maisel: Library of Dust

New York City based artist David Maisel brings our attention to ethics and aesthetics in a most sublime way. His most recent project titled Library of Dust is a series of photographs of unclaimed and forgotten copper canisters containing the cremated remains of patients from a state-run psychiatric hospital. 

The science behind these eery though beautifully aged canisters lies in the copper, as it goes through chemical transformation due to prolonged contact with it’s contents. The outcome is striking enough, but it’s possible that the pull between matter and spirit is what makes this series so fervent. What we’re dealing with here is a conflict of sorts. We have these colorful, blooming canisters almost calling for our visual attention; however, time was ever necessary in the process of this chemical transformation, some urns having sat unclaimed by family since 1883. Thus to the surface also rises themes of neglect, remiss, and more impatiently, our own mortality. 

Maisel comments on the library in which these are canisters are numbered from 01 to 5,118: “Imagine the many separate fates that led these thousands of individuals to this room. What combination of choice and chance, of illness, of representation and misrepresentation, an infinite number of slippages multiplied more than three thousand times over, circumscribes this room, this library.”

The artist also poses the question: is it possible that some form of spirit lives on? 

- Jess Petrella

Solar System Lollipops

Well these are just awesome, aren’t they? Hard candy with a nerdy theme brought to you by etsy vendor VintageConfections. I always thought the sun should taste like cotton candy, and I suppose now it can!

Factual side note: Lollipops were invented during the American Civil War (early 1860s) and sometimes contained medicine. Now, apparently containing stars and planets! 

- Jess Petrella

THE ART PROCESS: Collage

Collage is a technique used by visual artists where an artwork is made by assembling different forms, usually paper cut-outs of text, photographs, and other clippings. The term “collage” comes from the French word “coller” which means “glue”. Collage art became a distinctive part of modern art in the early 20th century.

That being said, what are people doing with it today? Are computers revolutionizing the process of cutting and pasting? In short, yes.. completely. Take the work of Dr Sepian for instance (he’s not really a doctor). His work is greatly influenced by the science/philosophy of pataphysics, which is, according to French writer Alfred Jarry, “the science of imaginary solutions”. On this, Dr Sepian’s has said “some people consider themselves surrealists, others art’s activists, I consider myself a pataphysicist!” Okay, alright, I can dig that! 

His collage work isn’t something I’d call necessary powerful or ground breaking, it’s even a little silly at times, but as a fan of the surreal, I have to say it hits the mark. In some ways the impact is in the details, and I have a feeling if this “doctor” were to explain each collage he produces with words, we’d be left a little smarter having heard it. 

- Jess Petrella

THE ART PROCESS: Ursus Wehrli and The Art of Cleaning Up

Ursus Wehrli is an artist who likes to keep things tidy. He’s most well known for his entertaining TED Talk Tidying Up Art where he presents the work of famous artists like Jaspen Johns and Paul Klee except in a deconstructed and organized output. In his upcoming book The Art of Cleaning Up, he extends this overly-rational form of modern art to the world around him with just as much efficiency.

Take apart -> put in order: a simple concept with deeply satisfying results.

His TED Talk is a must-see. 

- Jess Petrella

THE ART PROCESS: Miniature Art

On the same wave as Victoria’s previous post highlighting Aiba’s work with miniatures, let’s take a closer look at these little artist-created worlds (like, real close - these things can get pretty tiny). 

Miniature and model art focuses on the thousand-year-old traditions of engraving and sculpting small-scaled objects mostly based on life-sized things. As this genre meshes in with the contemporary art world, some very interesting analysis of nature and architecture arise. 

A great example of this which comes to mind is the meticulous work of Keisuke Tanaka. His process starts with large blocks of blank wood which he carefully and skillfully carves into incredibly detailed sculptures. The carvings are then hand-painted with extreme care. Weaved into his pieces, which are mostly comprised of trees and cloud-like wisps, you will find cityscapes, tiny wooden houses, and swirling trails. 

These overall whimsical pieces come silver-lined with the beautifully ironic concept of trees being carved out of wood. What I like most about miniature work is how the artist can put a whole forest at your feet yet it will remain completely humble as if you were standing in the forest itself. 

- Jess Petrella

Ollie Lucas

Ollie Lucas started out as a graphic designer but, with inspiration from the street art of Melbourne, began creating works with a more organic edge. As he describes the progression, 

“Exposure to the graffiti scene in Melbourne has made me question harmony in my work, I have a love for filthy, dirty and weathered paint splattered surfaces, but at the same time I crave clean, modern, hardline geometrics. This is what drives my practice, combining two visual elements that are polar opposites in search for a harmony that I may never obtain.”

His most recent works, made on large recycled cable spools, focus on the arbitrariness of the signs we use to communicate. His works revolve around the phenomenon of pareidolia, the human tendency to see objects in clouds or recognisable objects in patterns or surfaces. In this way, his works are mostly up for our interpretation. For more on Lucas’s artworks, click here. 

- Lee Jones