By Tajudeen Sowole
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| Adé Okùnkùn - Crown of Darkness' by Olaniyi Atolagbe. |
AFTER photography moved from being a scientific invention of the 19th century to artistic application of the later ages, till date, the line between science and art never stopped blurring. And with the 21st century digital age of the lens art, some photographers keep escalating the disappearing line.
For few contemporary photographers, the fragility of keeping photography as Art – distinct from science – exist in their works, perhaps subconsciously. The innocence of keep blurring the line also comes with the risk of throwing artistic contents into the jaws of subconscious scientific innovation.
As a critic, it's always delightful searching through contemporary photographers' works, hoping for something that offers more art - not surrendered to digital innovation. One of such situation is here as the internet provides alternative window to ventilate art appreciation, this time, specifically looking for art of photography.
From one artist's virtual window to another, the critic's Osprey eyes view quite some digital-aided works from which real artistic contents are difficult, and hard to appreciate. In about 30 minutes of scrolling through different pages, nearly all the pieces tell quite some stories that could be of interest to someone else, perhaps, also pick one's attention some other time. Right now, it's time to move on, to another artist's virtual space, still searching for more engaging concepts of photography that will energise thoughts on critical appreciation.
It appears that an intention of changing to another page seems unaligned with the scrolling direction the device's function. Something goes wrong or right as two pieces flash on to the screen, suggesting another artist's window that generates Adé Okúnkún - Crown of Darkness and Ancestral Radiance. One of the works, in black and white looks sculptural, perhaps capture of a statue? The other piece, a portrait style photo art radiates painting aura, with bold and loud colours.
It takes few seconds to realise that the photographer of the two works, Olaniyi Atolagbe has more to offer in the realm of eclectic rendition. Aside flaunting his skills in hues and shades photography, Atolagbe also displays application of basic of fine arts such as lines, even with digital imageries.
In creating sculpture-like figure in Adé Okùnkùn, the photographer builds a character that derives visual strength in the melodramatic costuming, generated digitally. Waves of long hairs dissolving into each other, forming both bodily and head wear, exudes dramatic aura. And as the forest of hair is being pierced by combs, on the head, the entire piece breeds suspense.
And that the character is of the female gender further fuels the suspense as the concept is caught between the proverbial 'the beauty and the beast'. Whatever the woman imagines, hope to or not to be, clearly there is spiritual strength, which perhaps represents human challenges, irrespective of gender.
The works of Atolagbe provides another critique opportunity to take contemporary photography through the creative and artistic test of time. His works, mostly being of studio creation generates duality with outdoor insertions that capture dramatic sceneries. With his passion for using the strength of digital tool photography, Atolagbe also creates either a dilemma or extended tastes for collectors of lens art.
For lovers of outdoor photography, one of the works, titled Unseen Exchange, could be a lure for a striking concept, particularly with much rooms to interrogate the contents. As a monochromatic of blue shades and hues, the piece depicts someone's activities – in extreme bending down position – as the figure fiddles with something on the floor. Whatever the undisclosed content or exchange that goes on the floor – with the central figure – makes the piece a curious attraction.
Yes, the title of the works Unseen Exchange, perhaps explains the elusiveness of whatever activities take place on the floor. However, the entire composite photo art with the figure's hands buried out of sight – doing whatever on the floor – against a mountainous background, oozes in mystery and suspense. Could it be exciting for some art lovers to keep a mysterious piece of photography on their wall? With so much depressing stories, daily streaming on people's devices, a delightful, simplified and stress-free piece of art has so much space to fill in the mentality of people.
Whoever is looking for escape window from a world populated with depressing stories, needs something in contrast on their walls. Trying to mentally unravel some undisclosed "Exchange" of an inconclusive suspense, perhaps, wouldn't fit into the frame of stress-free art appreciation. The piece, however highlights the proficiency of Atolagbe in application of digital photography to generate tones in basics shades and hues.
From the background of counting the digits, as a Mathematician, the photographer in Atolagbe has emerged to escalate the link between art and science, using his creative and mathematical skills.
-Tajudeen Sowole is a Lagos-based Art Critic and media professional.
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