New Orleans is historically a culture of contradictions where edges and boundaries that separate opposites are blurred, ambiguous, and vague. Seasons are nearly indistinguishable since blossom and fruit appear simultaneously year round. Time decays as a result and creates a potentially liberating stillness that is the inspiration and focus of my work.

The importance of stillness, in this case a quality of the mind, comes from Eastern philosophies and practices in which calming the mind helps liberate self from ego. My intention is to create images that encourage a state of mindfulness through durational viewing. An emotional openness that allows for transformation is the result of a quiet mind, bringing the affective experience of everyday life into being.

A strong curiosity about the nature of existence and the process of making art is the motivation behind my work. Drawing is a way for me to find out what will happen (and more importantly how it will feel) if I repeat a specific mark, line or pattern. Using algorithms produces a meditative effect and prohibits me from controlling the outcome. My materials are usually simple and humble (often just office supplies) because they facilitate repetition without detracting from it, allowing the process to remain the focus of each piece.

Robert Lansden June 2008
© 2007|08

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Occurrence II | Color Pencil on Mylar | 18x24