Architectural patterns by Alexander Jacques appear infinite

Lying between graphic design and photography is the series of images by alexandre jacques, which meander away from the traditional notions of architectural imagery by focusing instead on the visual repetition inherent a building’s façade. Jacques aims his camera at a distinct point on structural landmarks in Paris, new York and Brisbane, honing in on a very specific piece of the overall tower. the chosen exteriors may be considered invasive modern towers by many, yet the artist’s captures present them in a completely alternative manner, accentuating instead the patterns, horizontals and various linear arrangements that are seemingly boundless.Rhythmic golden strands represent the new York times building by renzo piano and a dizzying floral ornaments describe Paris’ tour ariane. the aesthetic alliterations ‘lose the viewer in a world where boundaries disappear. in the middle of such a mass man no longer seems to exist.’

all images courtesy of Alexander Jacques

Santos place, Brisbane 

 WT C, new York

coerce defence, Paris 

BNF building, Paris

tour Ariadne, Paris 

Brisbane square, Brisbane

federal plaza, new York

 Harrison & abramovitz building, nyc

new york times building, new york

new York Marriott marquis, new York 

 1221 avenue of the Americas, new York

Beaugrenelle, Paris  

societe generale, paris 

hotel novotel, paris

OLE UKENA

Ole Ukena is  a conceptual artist that interweaves a variety of media including text, video, photography, drawing & sculpture. Ukena’s diverse media work takes various forms, bound by a common thread of complex simplicity. This unfolding dance between challenging artistic practice and innocent questioning of the “is-ness” of our world defines the very essence of his works. Ukena’s dance often mesmerizes as the juvenile forms an unlikely yet impactful partnership with the spiritually refined.  With a wink and a nudge, youthful, playful enthusiasm confronts buttoned-up “maturity”. Sometimes poetically narrative, and in other moments purposefully reduced, Ukena frequently uses language as a tool to build riddles that await completion in the viewer’s mind.  His choice of material and medium becomes a metaphor that challenges the status quo. And as his childlike game continues the underlying message invites the viewer into ongoing personal 

12,000 toy soldiers fixed to a canvas-like board, forming a peace sign. A bright colored rainbow, a symbol of paradise, seemingly harmless at first, but made of barbwire. Building riddles that await to be solved by the viewer himself, artist, Ole Ukena, creates diverse media works with an intriguing sense of humor.

He draws his inspiration of sources as psychology, philosophy, spirituality, always positioning his themes around subjects as individual vs. collective, identity and transformation as well as the creative potential of failure. Exploring the field of interrelated opposites his message of his recent work manifests itself through the precise choices of medium. He is sometimes poetically narrative or purposefully reduced, binding his work by a common thread of complex simplicity, leading the viewer astray but always lending a hand on the way back.