Katharine Dowson

Myriad

Myriad is a curtain of acrylic lenses of differing focal lengths. These have been attached together and hung from a stainless-steel suspension pole in an ‘S’ shape. Site specific work of various sizes

In Myriad the viewer is confronted with a curtain of acrylic lenses of differing focal lengths. These have been attached together and hung from a stainless-steel suspension pole in an ‘S’ shape.

The act of seeing is intensified, as if through a microscope. The human image is distorted and broken up, bringing a variety of different realities to each viewer: for some, a particular lens will magnify an object, for others the same lens will blur that object. The viewer is required to examine what is in front of them closely, allowing details to be revealed that were hidden at first glance.

But seeing and understanding are not always the same thing. Some of the lenses still have sight markings on them, written in a special code only opticians can understand. All those not educated in that language will remain in the dark as to its meaning. 

Factsheet

Year
1998
Material
Plastic, stainless steel
Style
Installation, Abstract, Public Art
Theme
Science, Conceptual
All artworks from Katharine Dowson
Permanent from year 2000.
Permanent from year 2000.
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