Artist Statement
Alchemy is a lost, discarded art. Often misunderstood and veiled in secrecy, it is rich with hermetic symbolism and imagery. The primary goals of alchemy were to create an elixir for eternal life, to transmute lead into gold, and to dissolve matter. These objectives were attempted through primitive scientific method in conjunction with spiritual enlightenment, corruption, and mythology.
This work is my alchemy, my philosopher’s stone, my dissolution.
Process Statement
This work represents a continuing series of imposed abstractions through the mediums of collage and photography. Found images, originally intended to direct and control public perception, consumer activity, and self-image, are modified to create a sense of ambiguity to heighten mystery and defy closure.
Gordon Magnin is a Nevada based artist who works in photography, scans, collage, and altered found image. Magnin’s interest lies in the inventive use of geometry, pattern, repetition, form, perspective, composition, and systematic operations as methods to distort and challenge the intended objective, interpretation, and significance of consumer based images. Gordon has shown both locally and internationally including a residency and exhibition in Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec. His work has been profiled in numerous print and online publications including; Gestalten’s “Dopplenganger, Images of the Human Being” and “Cutting Edges, Contemporary Collage”. His work was most recently featured in New American Paintings #102 West. He also completed a cover and opener illustration for Bloomberg Businessweek and the New York Times. Gordon Holds a Masters Degree from the Southern California institute of architecture (SCI_arc) and a bachelors of science in structural engineering from the University of Nevada, Reno. He completed studies at Mountain School of Arts in Chinatown (MSA^), in Los Angeles in 2008.
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