2018 Bridges Conference Nominees' Gallery

Margaret Kepner

Artists

Margaret Kepner

Independent Artist

Washington, District of Columbia, USA

renpek1010@gmail.com

http://mekvisysuals.net

Statement

I enjoy exploring the possibilities for conveying ideas in new ways, primarily visually. I have a background in mathematics, which provides me with a never-ending supply of subject matter. My lifelong interest in art gives me a vocabulary and references to utilize in my work. I enjoy expressing mathematical concepts through attributes such as color, geometric forms, and patterns. One format I have used in my work is the “artist’s book,” which can exhibit a wide range of physical forms and which allows images to be juxtaposed in various ways. In many cases, the viewer can interact directly with the book, experiencing it tactilely as well as visually. As books are opened up, new structures are created.

Artworks

Image for entry 'Fall to Pieces'

Fall to Pieces

4 x 8 x 8 cm

Archival Inkjet Print

2018

The accordion book structure provides an ideal format for presenting pairs of related images. In this work, each pair of facing pages illustrates a particular geometric dissection. On the white (left-hand) page, a diagram of a square is shown dissected into smaller pieces. The black (right-hand) page across from it displays the same pieces reassembled into a regular polygon or polygram. Thus, the facing pages show two different shapes formed from the same pieces. This duality is echoed in a black/white color reversal. The 48-page book can be viewed in various ways: as a conventional book, opening two pages at a time; as a linear zigzag structure, with only white (or black) pages visible; or in various starburst arrangements.