Research point: 
Vija Celmins 


Vija Celmin's is known for her details drawings and paintings of natural phenomena, in particular, the night sky, the oceans. deserts and spider webs. 

Having explored Clemin's work on the Tate website and listened to a number of interviews with her I have made a note of a number of points to help with with my next exercises. 

  • Clemin's describes her work as rediscovery rather than a copy. She explains that copying is fast and should always be done imperfectly. It takes just a second for the information to go all the way in. 
  • Clemin's is drawn to natural phenomena becomes the image feels anonymous. She describes the idea of reliving the image. Scrutinise and relive the making of it. "A part of me is in that place". 
  • Use a graphite pencil on paper to recreate the light and the dark. 

'Drypoint Ocean Surface' 1983 - A small, one colour engraving of ocean waves using black ink on white paper. The image explore the darkest waves at the bottom of the piece to the very lightest towards the top. There is no sky or horizon. Just a small snapshot of the ocean. 

 Working with a seemingly structureless subject like water, the sea and the ocean does not seem to daunt Celmins. She develops a compulsive interest and works with degrees of light and dark to achieve a snapshot. 

 Vija Celmin's work has been described by Robertt Kaupelis as a "giant creative leap from the traditional,cliched seascape!". 


'Web1' 1999 - "Maybe I identify with the spider. I'm the kind of person who works on something forever and then works on the same image again the next day." I can see the mind blowing level of detail in this drawing. It is as if the spider web had been attached to the paper. I can see where the light of the web hits the paper and the marks of the pencil are so light, I can feel the silky texture of the web. 


Reference: 


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