August Muth at HAP — 60 Inch Center

May 21

May 21 August Muth at HAP

LIGHT-MIND, a collection of holographic works from Santa Fe based artist August Muth is currently showing at Hap Gallery. With over 30 years of experience under his belt, Muth has been trailblazing the field of holography, exploring its boundaries through innovative methods and experimentation. The result of his dedication is a body of visually mesmerizing work that engages viewers in a conversation of the existence of time though light and color. There is no photograph, or video for that matter, that does Muth’s work any justice. LIGHT-MIND is an exhibition that must be seen in person.

In a studio interview by Angela Landini from 2014, Muth discussed his use of homemade emulsion, and how by combining this with different colored lasers he is able to achieve colors and effects that other holograms do not. As the viewer, it is a treat to be able to see Muth’s, “volume’s of light-space”. At first glance, the work appears to be digital, and this in essence, is the phenomenon of the hologram itself.

Bright compositions of florescent greens, blues, oranges, and pinks line Hap’s walls. Shape, overlay, and texture are incorporated into several works while others take a more minimalist approach. Images with black backgrounds bring simple layers of bold circles and squares to the forefront. Other works on view incorporate a color change that is more difficult to decipher, and these subtle nuances invite the viewer to become intimate with the work. The physical act of coming in closer, and changing one’s angle alters perspective and ultimately the outcome of how the work comes across. Optical depth is also something Muth experiments with, where pieces in the show vary between three inches to over twelve.

Although there is a lot of content to process in this show, it is successful in bringing technically advanced, visually interesting, and well-constructed work to Portland. August Muth is also a very personable artist, as evidenced by his charismatic and infectious energy that transformed Hap’s environment at the opening earlier this month. Using a flashlight to demonstrate the way light could alter his creations, Muth had gallery go-ers “ooh-ing”, and “ahh-ing” as if Hap were a cabinet of curiosities instead of an art gallery. If you missed him at the opening, you will get another chance to hear him discuss his work on May 30th, when Hap will be hosting an Artist Talk with Muth for the closing of the show, beginning at 2pm. More information on Muth’s process and his studio The Light Foundry here: http://www.augustmuth.com/about/. Read more about Light-Mind and Hap at www.Hapgallery.com