Here, we ask an artist to frame the essential details behind one of their latest works.
Bio: Jen Stark, 38, Los Angeles (@jenstark)
Title of work: Space Junk (2021).
Where to see it: The William Vale (111 N 12th St, Brooklyn) until Oct. 24.
Three words to describe it: Intergalactic, psychedelic, magnetic.
What was on your mind at the time: My deep fascinations with digital and interactive art, sacred geometries, and the mysteries of the natural world inherently breathe life into Space Junk. The concept behind the animation is inspired by Katamari Damacy, a 2004 Japanese puzzle-action video game where players are tasked with rolling an adhesive ball through various urban locations, collecting increasingly larger objects until it has grown enough to be transformed into a star.
An interesting feature that’s not immediately noticeable: Immediately upon entering this intergalactic room, shapes begin to fall around the viewer like psychedelic snowflakes. These technicolor clouds begin to magnetize to the viewer, each emitting its own unique sound. The collision of two or more shapes results in a symphony of tones, reminiscent of kalimba chimes and wooden drums. This room is also the inspiration behind my Foundation collection, Cosmos. I took unique shapes from this room and created a collection of 60 works, available at auction starting Sept. 29 on foundation.app/jenstark.
How it reflects your practice as a whole: I’ve always been a fan of animation, geometry, public art, nature, and color. Space Junk and my show “Cascade” draw upon each of these interests. I wanted to take my artwork a step further than just being hung in a white gallery space, and I love the idea of people touching and interacting with the work. People can dance, interact, play, and create their own sounds in space. It almost becomes a collaboration between myself and the viewer.
One song that captures its essence: The Egg by Epic Mountain.
