CARBON OBSCURA
Carbon Obscura is a kinetic and optical installation with a charge of elemental force. Previously showcased ecological artist Lloyd Godman employs daylight as the immaterial centre piece of this installation. Its magical force, at once both real and per ceptual, is a photo-kinetic experience that combines the virtual with the spiritual. Though the quality of light changes according to time of day and effects of the weather, bright sunlight and moisture in the form of water vapour provide the peak experience. References to light-sensitivity abound, the dramatic role of light, the influence of early photography, references to the camera obscura and the pinhole camera.
The installation is made up of light but this light is not captured by the camera via an aperture in a lens or a pinhole to make a photograph. Instead of one aperture there are thousands. It is a kind of photography, a drawing with light at its most fundamental. The substitution of carbon in place of camera obscura in the title enables Godman to move beyond the sphere of photographic representation to the pressing subject of energy resources. He embraces the challenge of climate change and the role played by high levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Lloyd Godman has expanded his environmental praxis, one that has spanned many photographic exhibitions and installations using light projections and photosensitivity. Carbon Obscura, becomes its own message, one that is powerfully communicated through the magic and wonderment of a phenomenological experience. Herein lies Godman’s message – the dreamlike qualities of the installation work on our senses to teleport us to action. They fire up our neural networks to never forget the experience. The simple eloquence of this installation comprising carbon paper, daylight and water vapour evokes a charge that goes beyond representation.
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