Grey Matter
- 960 x 240 in
- Brian Hamilton
Grey Matter manifests an effort to restructure the perceptual hierarchy of the biological, behavioral, and infrastructural/material patterns that exhibit our existence. Viewed from afar, a defined depiction of a neuron is the predominant feature of the graphic. Upon closer examination, the delineation of the neuron becomes an indistinct figure amidst a dense ground of mapped vectors. These vectors embody a diversity of both corporeal and metaphysical interactions – be it the biologically scripted behavior of social insect colonies, historical human settlement and transportation patterns, or the nodal recursive branching model of digital communication networks. Within the dense environment of Grey Matter, the “natural” and “synthetic” networks mingle. The two-dimensional graphic was generated by bridging several 3d modeling platforms, involving generative simulation and intuitive topological mesh modification to create an aesthetic stability between chaos and coalescence.
This work is part of Emerging Terrain's Stored Potential project, which began as a desire to re-purpose the grain elevator at 33rd and Vinton Streets. Emerging Terrain partnered with the elevator owners, city agencies, neighborhood associations and various community organizations to make the project happen. They solicited artists to submit designs addressing the themes of land use, food, and agriculture, a selection of which were printed on polyester mesh banners and installed on the exterior of the elevator silos. Up-lit at night, the banners were viewable to drivers passing on I-80, transforming the derelict structure into a super-size, drive-by art gallery. The project culminated with an outdoor dinner party for 500 people, all of whom were seated at an 800-foot-long table near the base of the installation.
- Current Location: Archive-Not Available for Viewing - Omaha Parks Department 1819 Farnam Street, #701, Omaha, NE 68183 (google map)
- Collections: Stored Potential