Special Release
The essence of this site is the pursuit of varied ideas that are centered around the expansion of assemblage art. It aspires to a place where bodies of work, collaborations and information can develop without constraint.
This special release section is where topics and ideas form, develop and evolve.
Example of Linear Reduction
This path originated with a single Wall Supported Assemblage (WSA) that was constructed as part of a small independent group in the same medium. The work on the left (first subject) was photographed in close up detail with the intent to create an autonomous body or work ((Details of Assemblage (DoA) Group 3) consisting of 12 photographs)). Several of those photographs (second subject) were selected to become another independent body of work in the form of graphic prints ((Graphics of Assemblage (GoA)). With this specific example there is actually an additional reduction, a fourth subject, that are Free Standing Assemblage (FSA). This FSA group, theater forms, relate to the first subjects' elements of construction (springs) with headdress design. This fourth addition completes a circle of sorts as it links back to the first subject as well as the linear intent of the group.
Not all reductions follow this path. A first subject (first medium) may be a Headdress of Assemblage (HoA) mounted on a theater form (second medium) that is then worn by a human who is still photographed (third medium) in any number of ways, which might progress into a short film (fourth medium), etc.
DoA / GoA Hybrid
This image is part photograph and part graphic print. The design process combines the photographic element of Details of Assemblage with the solid color overlay of Graphics of Assemblage. Besides hybridizing the two approaches, this work has initiated a new concept that might develop as a stand alone group.
Modified Pinhole (DoA Group 5)
In 2022, Peter began an augmented pinhole camera experiment. The plan was to modify large format cameras in order to significantly obscure parts of Free Standing Assemblages with the intention of reducing elements to abstract shapes, forms & color. After several attempts it became clear that this approach was worth developing. Due to the extreme soft focus quality of theses images Peter realized that when considering the photographs, a cautious approach was required in order to maintain the integrity of the image structure. With that in mind, the initial print format is presented in 10"x12" (single) & 12"x27" (triptych). FYI: this approach lead to a fully developed body of work in DoA Group 5 as well as several images became GoAs.
Wall Supported Assemblage (WSA)
For many years WSA was the primary assemblage form practiced by Peter and some of his motivation when conceiving Diversified Assemblage was to move away from this approach. And although Peter does periodically design and build WSA, he views them differently than the abstract constructions from the past and now considers this type of work graphic design and more closely related to Graphics of Assemblage than any other part of DA
Portraits of Assemblage (PoA)
Much of the work in this site was conceived as a conceptual examination. In this case it is the merging of an early photographic technology, Collodion Wet Plate, with contemporary digital processing. That combined with inspiration from early Hollywood photography, POA’s are portraits of Free Standing Assemblages as individuals. The original format of these photographs is 8”x10” on black glass. After processing these images, Peter settled on a 39”x48” print size in order to allow the subjects to achieve a larger than human proportion. Even though this PoA (Group 1 w/10 images) fulfilled it's scope, Peter decided to create a second PoA body of work (Group 2) which comes closer to the theatrical stills concept that he originally conceived.
Theater Form in Headdress of Assemblage (TFHoA)
In part, Diversified Assemblage was inspired by early 20th century European theater costume and set design. Theater Forms and Headdresses of Assemblage reflect some of that thought. Peter is fascinated by headdresses, their history, boldness and universal acceptance. They can represent anything - cultural identity, religion, an individuals' status, or just ornamental accessory. No matter the intent, headdresses have a theatrical way about them which is why they are defined so prominently throughout DA. These Theater Forms were primarily conceived as the figurative structures to support headdresses. However, once Peter started getting into the design and construction process they led to an entirely new blended category with new technical processes that have now been incorporated into DA.
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Moving Assemblage (MA)
MA is motivated by theater, performance art and with experimental film in general. The essence of the MA is to explore collaborations with individuals & groups, integrate sections of Diversified Assemblage into a story line, and to probe the historical aspects of the participating mediums. MA recognizes the value of the black and white spectrum, the silent film form, as well as the accessibility of the contemporary moving medium. The first piece developed, and those under production, are views that embrace the abstract, surreal and absurd story history of the silent film medium all while recognizing that this art form is completely lost to a majority of the population.
The Prophet - A Story of Alchemy
"a work of calculated imperfection"
This is a story about a man at the end of his career who is not satisfied. He is tracked down by 3 young people who revere him as a prophet. As it turns out they are the wise ones as they help the man to achieve fulfillment. (Select for film)
Film Shorts in Production:
MA 2: Unexpected Moment
MA 3: The Pipefitter
MA 4: 3 Faces of Eve - Views of a Modern Art Curator
Performance in Production:
MA 4: A hypothetical Instruction for young people on how to interview average citizens viewing assemblage art in public spaces.
Graphics of Assemblage (GoA)
GoA's are Details of Assemblage (DoA) with all photographic reference stripped away and replaced with solid color. The image is reduced to geometric forms. GoA's are inspired in part by the 20th century photogravure process, an appreciation of the Russian Suprematists' degraded color palette as well as by multiple plate printmaking. However, Peter's primary motivation was to create simple composition with dominant tones that represent an alternate graphic art approach to his assemblage work. Peter has been working with various print sizes and has found that a several dimensions are a good fit for this work (8"x10",19"x24", 36"x48" & 72"x96").
Details of Assemblage (DoA)
DoA photographs are the approach that confirmed that FSA's can be host and muse for separate bodies of work in other mediums. DoA's are not just about assemblage, they integrate Peter's photographic experience, aesthetic
and practical, which includes modifying and redesigning photographic equipment as well as merging historical and contemporary technologies. This category has proven to be quite expansive and it is also the design feeder for Graphics of Assemblage (GoA). DoA print sizes vary (8"x10", 18"x24", 33"x48" & 66"x96").
Free Standing Assemblage (FSA)
This is the 1st piece in the FSA group. After working for many years creating entirely abstract wall supported assemblage designs, Peter needed to pursue a new approach and the introduction of the free standing form was the path that immediately accomplished several things. It initiated a deluge of new ideas and assemblage work as well as defined a new plan to re-shape his art. But most importantly, the unexpected result that this little crude piece accomplished was the realization that FSA's are muses that have the ability to inspire unlimited bodies of work in any art medium and that those mediums, which are typically independent, automatically connect to assemblage.
