Everything is a matter of perspective and interpretation.
Every perspective is relevant and real. And then there is manipulation, when we connect elements in specific ways to produce a certain effect.
And there is the level of authenticity.
Where there is no interpretation and no manipulation. The question is: does such a dimension truly exist? Is it possible to encounter things in their pure, sovereign essence?
I assume that the world of elements may be that reality. The world of elements belongs to everyone: to the cosmos and to my body, to my soul, to my breath, and to the stars.
It can be systematized by Mendeleev and studied by the pharmacologist, the biochemist, and the painter. It is a friendly, accessible world that exists beyond words. Invisible and ever-present. Our eternal companion.
Our cells know everything about the elements, and they keep revealing new secrets to our consciousness.
The periodic table is the representation of the unrepresentable. A portrait of the universe. From a human point of view. And it’s constantly changing, always expanding, as more and more becomes visible, detectable to us. Even if only for the briefest moment: an element must remain stable for 10-14 seconds to be declared existent.
Painting the periodic table, for me, is an alchemical twist. A systematics module turns into a painting, the Word incarnates flesh. The diagram of the representation of matter becomes matter again: pigment and atoms. I love this diagram – it’s my most favourite memory from school.
The painter is in a very privileged position, because they have the opportunity to encounter things on the level of elements, of dust. To get to know the dusts that make up the world, and from dusts, to create new things. The painter in me is now taking a step (or many steps) back: this time I am not interested is combinations or creation.
Too much information, too much history, too much emotion has flowed through the river of painting. What interests me is the space of encounter with the elements – the space before creation, before manifestation – the space of the Word. Where things are present as themselves, representing themselves, not as tools on the brush of expression. To capture this is an unattainable artistic (human) goal, but as a painterly program, it is perfect.
Eszter Wolf