Originally published in Feb 2020
What do you see when you look at this piece? Seriously, I’m curious. I created “Fractaling Pollock” with 3 fractal layers. I created it very much how I see it - except I used 3 layers vs 5 of them. Synesthesia causes me to see my works in 3D on a screen - like my computer, phone or iPad. What do you see?
I’ll try to put into words how I see this piece. It exists in clear and delineated layers in my mind’s eye. The first layer is the one that really pops out at me. Imagine about 1/4” between each layer.
Layer 1: on top, closest to my nose - the red strokes. This includes the red strokes near the bullseye. Layer 2: the oranges Layer 3: the yellowish strokes at the corners of the piece. Whatever that color is to you. For me it is a yellowish-green. Layer 4: the teal strokes that surround the center. Layer 5: the lavender strokes on the left and right and the light blue in the bullseye. That may not be all of them, but it is how my eyes and brain are perceiving them at this moment in natural light on a backlit screen.
I remember CLEARLY when this 3D phenomenon affected me. It started in November of 2019 and to call it surprising would be an understatement. I wasn’t sure what was happening. It seemed to coincide with worsening diplopia (double vision) and a quadruple increase in my prism correction in my eyeglasses. I think much like the 24/7 tinnitus in my ears trying to accommodate for hearing loss at various auditory spectrums that my brain is working at accommodating a worsening of my vision. This accommodation involves giving my vision a perceived 3D element when viewing 2D works on a backlit screen. I need my glasses all the time - my vision continues to worsen - so this wouldn’t and can’t happen without my current glasses. I think that there is something about the backlit screen that seems to feed this phenomenon. Perhaps the colors themselves dictate their placement in my visual field based on color and light saturation? It gives me a premise to experiment with. I can see some of my HD acrylic in 3D to a small degree (especially if printed on metallic paper and catching the light) but it’s really something saved for a backlit screen. I am not looking for it or seeking it out, it just happens. One thing is for sure … it is strange but beautiful. :)
