Excursus

I started painting on glass largely due to inspiration after visiting an exhibit of Light and Space artists. I had been hoarding the stuff, I’ll say… subconsciously because the affinity for this work resonated through the material. I also had the pleasure of seeing the well known work to which the title of this blog refers by Robert Irwin (who is my favorite and influenced me greatly) at Dia in the early ‘aughts (when Dia was still in Chelsea). It had a huge impact on what I thought Art could be- definitely an instance where photographs do not convey the impact of a work.

I completed the piece below recently which has, for me, a small amount of reverence for if not reference to this work, which made me more curious about it. In googling for more info on Excursus (which, in literature, means “a departure from the main topic”) I found the title actually included a reference to Albers- it’s full title is “Excursus: Home to the Square³.”

Mind. Blown.

I titled the work (which should ideally be viewed in a space where it can be lit by ultraviolet or “black” lighting, another homage to the Light & Space movement) “departure from the main topic“. I assume that, through his title for his work, Irwin was referencing his oft-sited belief that art is not about objects- objects being the “main subject” not just of Art but specifically of Modernism. I think we should conclude this is his intention with pointing to Albers in the title as well. I also assume that, as always, Irwin’s work here is about the shape of our perceptions. I didn’t think I could love Irwin more but… thanks, universe.

Titles have certainly become much more important to me in the last year+ as I recounted in this essay about experiencing Stanley Brouwn’s work and my actions afterward (which were my first experiment with AI), and have elaborated on in statements about titles for the works “through” and also “CuAl₆(PO₄)₄(OH)₈·4H₂O” (the latter takes you to Instagram). You can see my other current paintings in this growing body of work here.