Undetectable (2023)

Fourteen unique selenium-toned photograms, each 16”x20,” and accompanying text, 2023. They number 1-13 plus one unnumbered. These can be printed and exhibited as pigment prints from digital files at other sizes.

Each photogram has its own text that corresponds to it. The texts are not to be included in an exhibition context.

Photograms are made by putting objects onto photosensitive paper and exposing the paper to lights and then processing them in the darkroom. They are an early photographic technique invented in the 19th century. I made these a way to try and imagine what the stratosphere might be like. I wrote a story for each of these images to help me put them in the order you see here, but when I show these, I keep the stories secret so you can make your own. The objects I used to make these images are salt, sugar, pepper, star anise, balloons, a light bulb, things I found in the darkroom, and my hands. 

01: This is the origin of the universe. It's almost entirely dark, there's a swirl of gray and some speckles that are larger and lighter. The corners glow. Are they producing light that can't get into the middle or are they absorbing the light from

01: This is the origin of the universe. It's almost entirely dark, there's a swirl of gray and some speckles that are larger and lighter. The corners glow. Are they producing light that can't get into the middle or are they absorbing the light from the middle, with the idea to do something more with it?

02: In the middle of the swirl there's a holding, a place that's either preserving or protecting or sheltering or hiding. I don't know what that space is for. Does it like being empty or does it feel full, full of something else, something not swirl

02: In the middle of the swirl there's a holding, a place that's either preserving or protecting or sheltering or hiding. I don't know what that space is for. Does it like being empty or does it feel full, full of something else, something not swirling, not active, not developing.

03: In another quadrant, there's a lot more activity. Searching, catching or letting go, illusory progress, detritus.

03: In another quadrant, there's a lot more activity. Searching, catching or letting go, illusory progress, detritus.

04: If you imagined this is a magnified section of a different image, you'd be incorrect. It is more distant, so we are looking further into the past. What was wreckage disintegrates, granular, and consolidates to form something new and different fr

04: If you imagined this is a magnified section of a different image, you'd be incorrect. It is more distant, so we are looking further into the past. What was wreckage disintegrates, granular, and consolidates to form something new and different from what came before, despite its origins.

05: In this image, refueling is taking place.

05: In this image, refueling is taking place.

06: If this way is up, we then see an approach to a portal that is closed at this time. There's floating, hovering, clustering, and disintegrating all happening in the one frame, which si why this image holds interest. Corners are stable except some

06: If this way is up, we then see an approach to a portal that is closed at this time. There's floating, hovering, clustering, and disintegrating all happening in the one frame, which si why this image holds interest. Corners are stable except some flares at one side, either bottom left or top right, depending on orientation.

07: Our satellite bounced through all these balloons in different stages of deflation and is escaping off to the lower right of this image.

07: Our satellite bounced through all these balloons in different stages of deflation and is escaping off to the lower right of this image.

08: This quadrant shows evidence of extreme loss, probably due to cosmic vacuum. Notice the absence of stellar activity. The only remaining objects are those most stubborn.

08: This quadrant shows evidence of extreme loss, probably due to cosmic vacuum. Notice the absence of stellar activity. The only remaining objects are those most stubborn.

09. Falling is floating. There's no such thing as being lost. A cluster of elements consolidates but we can't stay to watch what might form. It gets too bright in these moments and the instruments can't handle it.

09. Falling is floating. There's no such thing as being lost. A cluster of elements consolidates but we can't stay to watch what might form. It gets too bright in these moments and the instruments can't handle it.

10: The remnants of a corner explosion serve to propel, but also shift the surrounding components into a dangerous field.

10: The remnants of a corner explosion serve to propel, but also shift the surrounding components into a dangerous field.

11. The intriguing thing about this image is that it remains unclear--and undetectable by our instruments--whether the balloons are decomposing or gathering strength via new particle adhesions or if they are approaching or avoiding the large portal

11. The intriguing thing about this image is that it remains unclear--and undetectable by our instruments--whether the balloons are decomposing or gathering strength via new particle adhesions or if they are approaching or avoiding the large portal in the upper part of this quadrant. We will continue our observations and measurements.

12. Two portals join with a smaller universe formation. Our satellite is fading into entry.

12. Two portals join with a smaller universe formation. Our satellite is fading into entry.

13. We're delighted our instruments managed to catch this clear image that shows portals, protective holds, balloon just at the initial moments of galaxy absorption. The clarity and precision of the frame settles our minds. We can almost feel the to

13. We're delighted our instruments managed to catch this clear image that shows portals, protective holds, balloon just at the initial moments of galaxy absorption. The clarity and precision of the frame settles our minds. We can almost feel the touch.

untitled, unnumbered

untitled, unnumbered