Thisthat

1975.

51 x 5 cm

Three piece alignment, viewer becomes third element: column 51 x 5 cm – 11.5 cm at base, perspex wound with nickel wire, pronounced pattern: lenspiece 33 x 20 x 4.5 cm faceted lens.

“Thisthat, Through Another Eye and Denslens are alignments of two objects, a nickel wound revolving cylinder and a semi-spherical lens. They can only be seen by one person at a time seated in the correct or exact place for perception. From all other viewpoints two objects are seen. From the ‘place’ the combined emission of the two objects resonates and can be perceived by the viewer. What is seen has no material existence since to approach and examine the two pieces from any angel but that of exact viewing point will not reveal its existence. It does not in fact exist as such, as a thing or an object, but is an occurrence engendered by the juxtaposition of the two objects, coil and lens, at a certain precise distance from each other. This occurrence is perceived by the viewer, and each perceives it in a slightly different way so that descriptions of what has been seen will be bound to differ. Perception of it also changes to a large extent with the slightest change in posture so that in order to receive the vision as purely as possible, stillness on the part of the viewer is requisite. In other words, I have set up a situation in which the viewer accepts the view. By accept I mean that the observer is requested to take a passive position, opening and emptying the mind to allow for receival. Asking the observer to take this particular position with regard to the work, I am attempting to place him or her within a framework which will ideally lead to a state of pure concentration, a meditative state of mind.”

‘ Buddhists have conceived an object as an event and not as a thing or a substance.’

D.T. Suzuki