Ross J. Cocks

Statement

In 1918, Kazimir Malevich painted the renowned "White on White". For Malevich, this minimalistic geometry not only democratized the enjoyment of art, but it also provided a means for spiritual transcendence. "White On White, On White" on the other hand, attempts to perpetuate Malevich’s aspirations, while simultaneously suggesting that geometry and form need not be simplified for spiritual upliftment. Pure mathematical forms, no matter how complicated, can be enjoyed by all and induce spiritual transcendence. The depicted forms are intimately connected with each other; they are the Riemann Sphere and a hyperbolic helicoid that has been put through a Mobius transformation.

Artworks

The work is intended to viewed in three seperate, but equal, stages. The first stage is an isolated viewing of the work. Examination of form, substance, and merit are highly encouraged. The second stage is to be viewed in conjunction with Malevich's "White On White" in real-time. Using your phone, pull up the canonical painting on the internet and directly compare it to the displayed "White On White, On White". The third and final stage is once again, an isolated viewing of the work. With intense scrutiny one can now ask: has the painting changed between viewings? Above all, through this process note the feelings that are bestowed upon you at each stage.