Manifestation of Light and Energy by Frank Lopez

Issue 184

This project is named Manifestation of Light and Energy and is an expression of my belief in Buddhism. From the caves of Lascaux, humans have delved into meaning from gestural drawings, symbols, and forms. As with Buddhist principals, I interpret the growth of self through the foundational belief of Samsara: an everlasting cycle of life, death, the flow of energy into the cosmos, and rebirth, emulated in a series of chemical reactions on silvergelatin paper surfaces. These are articulations of my own mortality, and how the interactions of recent family passings and tragedies reverberate throughout human experience. My experience is not unique; however, as a person having reached mid-life, this life feels more real and present. This exploration is an expression of my human condition.

The meditative and interpretative practice of the Chromoskedasic process (simply named Chromo) is a rhythmic response to the natural state of imperfection. Specifically, it is my way of shifting the act of seeing into subjects that are interpretations of light, time, energy, and my conscious and unconscious awareness. The analogy of abstract patterns opens the viewer to personal interpretations while allowing the interactions of chemical reactions upon expired silver gelatin paper to produce an ethereal experience that mirrors the emotional unfolding of memory itself - fragmented, sometimes elusive, but certainly evocative.

Utilizing Chromo is an exercise in slow meditation and breathing as I lift silver halides to the surface of the silver gelatin paper, whereas they normally sit far below the paper surface in a normal black & white print. Chemical agents arrest development, allowing me to craft the image slowly (and in daylight) with additional developing agents and historic toners. Working with prints for over an hour, each image is created to provide an experience or trigger for an emotional response or a lost memory, creating a larger dialogue with the viewers subconscious.

Frank Lopez (he/him) lives and works in Little Elm, Texas, USA.
www.franklopez.com | @franklopezimages