heart center series 2, inner space Installation

Myrna Katz I was born under the containment of apartheid in South Africa. This initiated a journey of deep inner exploration that continued after immigrating to the USA in the early 70's. With extensive travels, living and working in different parts of the world, I came to realize that the polarity of apartheid Compels opposing reactions. In order to gain insight and for a reasoned artistic resolution to occur - a creative union of these opposites is required to restore perspective, healing and balance. My metal works are a reflection of these concepts and are alchemical in nature. They incorporate shadow (that which lies in the unconscious and is feminine in nature) and light (that which is conscious and is masculine in nature). Both natural and artificial light are an essential component of my work. The beauty of the crisp water jet cuts in design, create shadow, reflect light and project onto the surroundings the images of its true nature, revealing that projection comes from within. In alchemy, this is a reflection of the creation of gold out of lead-"coming into consciousness." The light and shadows cascade onto the walls, floors and ceilings so that the structures don't simply stand alone in time and space but seem to embrace their environment organically while rhythmically yielding to each other. The dance of alchemy invites a glimpse into projections, symbolically inviting transformation into something other than its original composition. I invite my viewers into the mystery of consciousness through insight of ones projections. My work involves manipulation and distortion of steel forms "to project shadow and light, revealing a glimpse of an ever-changing mystery that lives through all of us." (C. Jung) As I bend and warp these metal structures to create an organic, emotional architectural statement, I am fully aware of the interaction between my struggle for expression and the opposite need to honor limitations inherent in the material. My approach requires an interweave of the architectural space, as well as the art structures. My recent works include the ideas of sacred geometry and fractals, which are manifest through the beauty of water jet cutting, bending and shaping, and a surface treatment to invite even casual viewers into the elusive interior. These metal structures emerge from drawings, which are then prepared in scale for a computer program in preparation for water jet cutting.