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The Play Factor--Lightworks by John Lindenmayer --a review by Mark Pomilio The photographic series entitled Lightworks by John Lindenmayer draws one back conceptually, to youthful moments comprised of daydreams, free from outside pressures...angles in the snow...a horizontal digression, enclosed by a field of undulating grasses, while above, a parade of cumulus nimbus race past and express anew, our persistent march forward. These photographs harmonize, record and remind us of our own fragility, and the hectic, panic-riddled, pace at which we embank upon our daily enterprise. The Lightworks do this in a manner consistent with traditional photographic methodologies, yet by introducing the notion of measured play and the fourth dimension; the works take on a strikingly futuristic and contemplative, sensibility. Works such as, Paris Lights radiate an intoxicating, geometrical, spatial, matrix akin to those produced naturally by spiders. But here, we realize this is a man-made web, produced by Mr. Lindenmayer placing himself atop the Eiffel Tower and entering his play mode, where chance and artistry marry to produce works of striking elegance and formal beauty. The photograph entitled hAtu, reminds one of the work of light artist, James Turrell. However, in this work, there is seemingly no end in sight; time is extended and enters the realm of the elongated imagination. Play is a word and an idea, which is often snatched away from us as we enter our adolescence. John Lindenmayer has refused to allow this to happen and in turn has chosen to introduce into his photography, the power of play and chance, guided through the dissemination of intellect. Mr. Lindenmayer's work exercises and expresses the wonders of our ever-changing world and embraces the "chance factor" as intrinsic to his artistic practice; two concepts worthy of our examination, on a daily bases. Mark Pomilio, November 2003 Assistant Professor of Art Baylor University next, top |
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Review by Peter Richards John Lindenmayer's artwork is distinguished by its truth to subject matter and thematic grace. It would be easy to consider Lindenmayer just as a fine art photographer, based on his highly successful "Earthworks," "Lightworks," and "Beauty of Recycling" investigations. A closer look at his diverse, process-oriented approach and reverence for site-specific materials reveals an artist fascinated with transitions and changing states. Experiments on paper with selectively rusting metal objects or staining with used teabags, find their essence echoed and reflected in the imagery of dilapidated farm implements and weathered wood photographed in the Earthworks series. This highly evocative sequence of photographs are framed by the artist using salvaged barn wood from the working farmstead and sawmill where it was shot. The element of chance that characterizes the natural world is engaged through the Lightworks series, where Lindenmayer reinterprets neon signage, city lights and flames into abstracted, blurred and distorted shapes through physical camera and source motions. The movements of the artist through the illuminations of modern electrified society are captured in a dance with his knowledgeable use of film. Lindenmayer's Beauty of Recycling series documents the city of Ann Arbor's highly successful and comprehensive recycling program. It is both a celebration of recycling as conservation of resources and an investigation into our attitudes toward cast off materials, thus displaying the artists sensitive, journalistic eye. Lindenmayer finds beauty in crushed bottles, scrap metal and discarded refrigerators, awakening in the viewer the desire to take a "second look" at similar items occupying their own lifestyles. Lindenmayer's commentary on the state of our world doesn't gloss over the decay that time and neglect have upon humankind's proudest achievements. His social messaging never supercedes artistic or compositional decisions. Looked at purely for visual strength or evocation of mood, Lindenmayer's work represents a tour-de-force of photographic interpretation. Considered in the context of their creation, the works take on a deeper resonance that reveals the spiritual intent behind Lindenmayer's lens. Peter Richards, Oct. 25, 2003 Peter Richards is an artist and freelance writer. next, top |
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Review by Bob and Leslie Bloss Our introduction to John's work was through his series 'Local Light', a reflection of a man's love for the beauty surrounding him. 'Lightworks' is of this same high order, a kind of magic in which John utilizes light in an interplay of stillness, then movement, like a dance. His creativity lies in complex simplicity(or is it simple complexity?). His art radiates out into every aspect of his life in a colorful juxtaposition. Highly spiritual in nature, the enchanted lights around a statue of Mary ('Local Light') become a halo. Spiralling light splinters elegantly into motion. Sometimes a dance of color and shadow, abstract, but always drawing the viewer into the equation. To quote Marc Chagall; "art seems to me to be a state of the soul more than anything else." 'Lightworks' is definitely a reflection of John's soul.... Bob and Leslie Bloss, Sept 3, 2003 GalleriadelCorazon top |
