Ben Marxen

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Artist Statement:

My most recent paintings combine the traditional aspects of the stagnant oil painting with the modern kinetic elements of digital video. Recently, there has been a proliferation of technology-based paintings. My intentions is through the literal combination of the two disparate medias to create an active action painting. The artistic painting process lies at the heart of what interest me most. Through the use of stop action time-lapse video I document a specific section of a painting and feed the edited video directly back into the painting. This results in a weaving of the video and painted elements to form a unique and dynamic visual experience. The strategy of the self documented process simultaneously becomes the subject matter and the subject. This not only questions painting traditional role but also combines the old illusionary enlightenment tool, painting, with the new reality of video.

In creating the actual relationship between the two elements I physically inlay a video monitor into the surface of my paintings, it is important that the two elements combine in a homogenous seamless manner. My intention is to create relatively equal relationship between the two contrasting mediums. Through the use of video, I have the ability to modulate the spatial depth, control the velocity and compose a wide variety of visual movement.

In closing, I hope my work continues to evolve with the technology and the moment. Ultimately it is my intention to combine the latest technology available to the timeless hand of traditional painting, carrying each forward, and examining the limits, strengths and weaknesses that make this all fascinating.

www.benmarxen.com