Jen Stark in her art installation, Cascade, at the William Vale in Brooklyn, NY.
Los Angeles-based artist Jen Stark recently opened a pop-up exhibition in Brooklyn.
Set on the premises of the William Vale hotel Williamsburg, her digital exhibition, called Cascade, is on view now until October 24.
It's not your average pop-up. Meander through 6,000 square feet of space, where each room is devoted to a different visual signature, be it stripes, clusters of colors or trippy circles. Most of the works on view here are projected onto the white walls, though some sense motion and follow you around as you move around.
Inside "Cascade," a Jen Stark exhibition at the William Vale in Brooklyn.
Created by Art Market Productions, this project is the artist’s most ambitious one to date, she collaborated with computer programmers who are trained in augmented reality and projection mapping to create a kaleidoscopic, technicolor experience. The visuals change over time and the audio makes one feel like they’re underwater.
It’s more than just optical illusions, but inspired by mathematical pattern systems, like the Fibonacci Sequence and Riemannian geometry.
The project, co-presented with United Talent Agency and Joshua Liner Projects, Stark has created an entire universe of color, which doesn’t have a clear narrative. It’s a free-flowing experience of color, light and sound.
Inside "Cascade," a Jen Stark exhibition at the William Vale in Brooklyn.
But what does one make of such an ocean of color and where does its meaning derive for the artist?
As Stark explains: “I’m inspired by nature and its connection to the spiritual world. I love how designs in nature are based off mathematical equations and fractals. Sacred geometry, evolution and plant growth are among a few of my inspirations.”
One can’t help but think about her connections to hard-edge abstraction from the 1960s, be it Frank Stella or Bridget Riley. Or, the trippy patterned artworks of Alex Grey.
As Stark explains: “My love of colors comes from its use in nature. It is usually an attractant or repellent: A bright red fruit begging to be eaten, or a dangerous multicolored poison dart frog warning you not to eat it. This dichotomy is very interesting to me. Color is intended to grab your attention and I love playing with these ideas with my work.”
Cascade is at William Vale Hotel in Williamsburg, Brooklyn (111 N 12th St). Get tickets here.
Inside "Cascade," a Jen Stark exhibition at the William Vale in Brooklyn.
