I was recently in Mexico City to direct a movie and had the unique opportunity to shoot on 16-mm film. When I received the first camera test, I was struck by the composition on the screen. There before me, slowly flickering into view, were five radiating circles. What I was actually looking at was a focus chart: a series of high-contrast graphics used to determine proper focus in a camera and lens system. What I saw, though, was something completely different—an image from an alternate dimension. I decided to explore these compositions as guest designer for this edition of Zoetrope: All-Story, juxtaposing my paintings with the stories and leaving enough open to interpretation.
The creation of these paintings became an almost automatic process in which the image was practically secondary to the action. In the course of a single brushstroke, I could progress from extreme elation to deep introspection, my emotions reflecting the dichotomy between the technical design and a chaotic universe. My role was that of a conduit, or even an innocent bystander, as the spirit moved through me.
The pages immediately following contain photographs I took of my good friend the novelist Rebecca Godfrey, who tragically passed away a few months ago after a long battle with cancer. She was much too young. As I was working on this issue, she came to my mind many times as I remembered that though our physical time on this planet might be brief, our gifts live on in eternity. I dedicate this edition to her. And I offer thanks to Anne, Michael, Stephen, Francis, and the entire team at the magazine for their patience and support throughout this process. I’m very grateful for our collaboration.
The creation of these paintings became an almost automatic process in which the image was practically secondary to the action. In the course of a single brushstroke, I could progress from extreme elation to deep introspection, my emotions reflecting the dichotomy between the technical design and a chaotic universe. My role was that of a conduit, or even an innocent bystander, as the spirit moved through me.
The pages immediately following contain photographs I took of my good friend the novelist Rebecca Godfrey, who tragically passed away a few months ago after a long battle with cancer. She was much too young. As I was working on this issue, she came to my mind many times as I remembered that though our physical time on this planet might be brief, our gifts live on in eternity. I dedicate this edition to her. And I offer thanks to Anne, Michael, Stephen, Francis, and the entire team at the magazine for their patience and support throughout this process. I’m very grateful for our collaboration.
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