Atomic Art is inspired by the mysterious and wonderful patterns of atoms seen through modern microscopes.The sublime patterns speak of the subtle energies which lie just beyond our perceptions.
At present, the art is based on Silicon and Iridium atomic structures. Silicon is the eighth most common element in the universe and sits at the heart of all things digital. Iridium is one of the rarest of elements and is used in the production of semiconductors.
David Mankey has been creating Atomic Art since 1987 and has held many successful exhibitions including a ground breaking multimedia driven show at the National Science and Technology Centre in the late 1990s and at the Front Gallery.
Mankey was originally inspired by a single newspaper article in 1986, “It was a release about the IBM-developed Scanning Tunneling Microscope and it included a small blurry image of silicon atoms.”
The image was magnified 20,000,000 times.
“I was immediately struck by the ‘energy’ in the image, which I found fascinating on several levels”, Mankey explained, “This first objective view of atoms was inspiring.”
Mankey started the process by hand, using compass and square to discover repeat matrix of the atomic images.
“The silicon pattern I first drew is the same as now, but has undergone refinements over the years.” Mankey explained, “The energy and movement you now see in the pattern leapt out from day one, but all the proportions of the final version are especially elegant.”
Since then, Mankey focused on the colour aspects of Atomic Art and has produced a dazzling range of dynamic colour treatments which illustrate different visual and kinetic effects.
“Exploring the effects of different combinations of colour in these patterns, colour dynamics, are a prominent feature of my work, starting with the cleanest and brightest colours I could find.”
“I may call it ultra-modern and a new dimension in art,” Mankey said, “firstly because it derives from images taken by the latest microscopes, it involves the frontiers of science and depicts reality at previously unseen depth. Secondly, the pattern and colour approaches I am taking link with several lines modern art. I count Warhol, Dali, Rothko, Riley, Vasarely and other colour modernists as mentors and take part in the great experiment in colour that is at the heart of modern art.”
Since the original silicon pattern, Mankey created his well received HyperCube works. Using the silicon pattern, the 3D HyperCubes have been another fruitful ‘base’ for further colour and movement experiments.
“I love the cubes, they are another great platform to explore dynamic kinetic effects through different colours and perception shifts in the silicon pattern,” Mankey added, “These patterns are like a gift which keeps giving, with every view revealing fresh nuances in the matrix.”
Mankey has more recently started exploring Iridium. The first release of these iridium works also feature Mankey’s strong use of colour. Recent exhibition sales suggest that the iridium works will grow in popularity as Mankey explores the iridium pattern further.
“The iridium pattern has different set of characteristics to the silicon pattern because it derives from a different style of microscope. Its movement is not the kinetic big bang of the silicon pattern but is still a powerful peek into the energy of substance and creation.” Mankey suggested.
The more recent works, known as Silicon Mandalas, are probably the most intriguing Atomic Art.
“I have been exploring further abstractions by overlaying large fields of the silicon lattice applying slight rotations, and the results are a series of beautifully intricate patterns never seen before. The mandala patterns extend organically from the original geometry.” Mankey explains. “I have only started exploring these amazing images and their colour potentials, and look forward to taking them and other work further.”
“Everything around has an inner depth which is beautiful. This is the real atomic art. My artwork is a homage to the primal universal energies discovered when we look at physical elements through powerful microscopes.” Mankey says.
The current release of Atomic Art features selected works from the silicon pattern, HyperCubes, Iridium, and Silicon Mandala works produced since 2004.
Mankey is now working on new series of works that further explore the original silicon pattern and the silicon mandala. These are slated for an April 2010 release. He is also working on new atomic patterns for a new series slated for release in June 2010.
www.atomicart.net
