Hinterland 3. 2013
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Hinterland 3 map folded -
Hinterland 3 with sheet 2 above. Graphite and silver ink on two sheets of Kozo paper 100 x 110 cmPhotograph: Justyna Ptak -
Hinterland 3 with sheet 1 above. Graphite and silver ink on two sheets of Kozo paper 100 x 110 cmPhotograph: Justyna Ptak -
Testing a range of lensesPhotograph: Justyna Ptak -
Hinterland 3 detail Graphite and silver ink on two sheets of Kozo paper, glass magnifying lens. Photograph by Justyna Ptak -
Hinterland 3 detail Graphite and silver ink on two sheets of Kozo paper, glass magnifying lensPhotograph: Justyna Ptak -
Hinterland 3 detail Graphite and silver ink on two sheets of Kozo paperPhotograph: Justyna Ptak -
Hinterland 3 detail Graphite and silver ink on two sheets of Kozo paperPhotograph: Justyna Ptak -
Hinterland 3 detail Graphite and silver ink on two sheets of Kozo paperPhotograph: Justyna Ptak
Process
Hinterland 3 is based on my observation of the first in a series of twenty four etchings from Flight from Egypt (1753) by Domenico Tiepolo. Using a large sheet of semi-transparent paper I focussed on the detail in the first etched image. A second sheet was used to study the marks made in the second etched image from the Flight from Egypt series.
Presentation
These two sheets of studies are presented horizontally, one on another, with a 15 cm glass lens placed over the top sheet of paper. The weight of the magnifying lens presses the two drawings together so that the drawn marks are most clearly seen at this point. The viewer is encouraged come close and use the lens to view the marks of both study sheets beneath, so repeating my own observation activity.
Research
Contemporary cognitive neuroscience suggests we see only small areas of focus at any one time so that memory is central to making sense of what is seen. This idea of partial vision led to the investigation of this series of etchings by Domenico Tiepolo. Presented together in the format of a book with only one etched image per open page, memory is fundamental to making sense of the series as a whole as the pages are turned.