Logic and Structure Exhibition Opening Reception

Beth Caspar explains her work in relation to the kimono is broken up into segments

Robert James and Becca Andre at the Logic & Structure opening reception

By Robert Brune

MARGARETVILLE — Normally the world of mathematics and model theory aren’t paired with the world of art. The current show at Art Up makes a case for their having some connections. In Logic and Structure artists Beth Caspar and Wanda Siedelka, architect Robert James, and mathematician Roman Kossak have collaborated on a concept and done many variations on this starting point. In fact, a starting point and the variations explored brings forth a great variety of expressions in sculpture, drawings, photos and even video. Wanda produces several images based on the shape of regions of Sicily. Robert produced variations on an image of Piranesi. Beth worked with color geometry, hard edged and soft and even a kimono image.

This collective of friends that were involved in this exhibition had all been involved with the Painters Gallery which closed in 2018. Wanda Seidlecka and her husband Roman Kossak a mathematician (City University of New York Graduate School and University Center) continued to keep in close contact with Caspar and James. This group has had workshops and carried on a conversation of logic and structure for several years. They reached a point of developing a study on this topic published in Theoria, the Swedish philosophy journal, in 2020.

At the opening reception, this past Saturday at Art Up, the artists took turns talking about their perception of what they’ve learned from each other. Beth Casper shares her thoughts on her work and the exhibition, “Isomorph of a Kimono. Since that one is freshest in my mind, I think it will be the easiest for me to explain. First of all, there were three criteria to consider in the isomorphism challenge: structure, elements, and relations. However, the choice as to what each of those would be left entirely up to each participant. So, in Kimono, the structure I chose was a kimono; the elements are pattern pieces, 6 of which compose the kimono; and the relation is where the pattern pieces are joined. At the talk I said that my solution was the most simplistic because I chose only one element and one relation, whereas Bob and Wanda chose more than that in theirs.

The resulting isomorphic structure, although completely” Abstract art is often a challenge to describe because it is frequently derived from an emotion or instinctual inspiration, though there is also the element of intentional construct and dimensional work of planning that would go into any work of art, in varied degrees. Casper explains how this group study has expanded her understanding and process of creating art, “Although the work I’ve done for all of the Logic & Structure challenges isn’t like the work I normally do in the studio, it has always employed simple shapes and patterns, the two things that have been the basis of my practice for over thirty years.

It’s been interesting and enjoyable to apply what I most love as a visual artist in a very different context.” This seems to be a great exploration and evolutionary element as presented in each of the artists' work.

This exhibition runs through Sunday March 31 Friday-Sunday (Open on holiday Mondays)

See: @artupmargaretville on Instagram for more details