Emil Lukas: Titration
Emil Lukas’ work is driven by the visceral energy of studio practice and the vitality of the cluttered working and living environment. His new works explore the concept of “titration,” a chemical term referring to the process in which small, incremental chemical alterations are applied to a solution until they eventually tip the scales, and a visible change occurs.
In one set of works, Lukas has stretched and criss-crossed colored thread across cast box-like forms, communicating both a subjective experience of color fields – the threads often appear to color the air around them, and the colors to advance or retreat – while at the same time referring to the tangible: looms and weaving, stringed musical instruments, and netting. These complex “cat’s cradle” works, both paintings and sculpture, accumulate the thinnest of color lines to create a final result, which may range from the faintest suggestion of tinted air to the dense threat of a spider’s web.
In another series of “larvae” paintings, Lukas has mobilized the motions of household fly larvae, intervening at this stage of their life cycle to coax directional lines of motion across wet black or white paint. This creates subtle mazes of frail lines and masses of shaped traceries. These suggestive organic forms are partially willed by the artist, partly the result of the tiny insects’ decisions and physical efforts.
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Emil LukasRe occurring Cycle #0922, 2008paint and ink on canvas with thread24 x 16 x 3 1/2 inches/61 x 40.6 x 8.9 cm
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Emil LukasAccumulating pool #0946, 2008thread on wood frame24 x 16 x 2 1/2 inches/61 x 40.6 x 6.3 cm
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Emil LukasGathering #0932, 2008thread over wood frame with paper back24 x 16 x 3 inches/61 x 40.6 x 7.6 cm
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Emil Lukas6 year cloud #0924, 2008ink and paint on canvas24 x 16 x 2 inches/61 x 40.6 x 5.1 cm
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Emil LukasBlur #0936, 2008paint and ink on canvas24 x 16 x 2 inches/61 x 40.6 x 5.1 cm
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Emil LukasClinging #0918, 2008paint and ink on canvas24 x 16 x 2 inches/61 x 40.6 x 5.1 cm
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Emil LukasBelly #0934, 2008plaster and wax24 x 16 x 6 inches/61 x 40.6 x 15.2 cm
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Emil LukasEgg #0937, 2008paint and ink on canvas24 x 16 x 2 inches/61 x 40.6 x 5.1 cm
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Emil LukasBurning #0920, 2008thread over wood frame with paper back24 x 16 x 2 inches/61 x 40.6 x 5.1 cm
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Emil LukasCords #0940, 2008paint on canvas with threads24 x 16 x 2 inches/61 x 40.6 x 5.1 cm
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Emil LukasFronting #0917, 2008thread over wood frame with paper back24 x 16 x 2 inches/61 x 40.6 x 5.1 cm
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Emil LukasCrater #0945, 2008thread on wood frame24 x 16 x 2 1/2 inches/61 x 40.6 x 6.3 cm
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Emil LukasPouch #0943, 2008thread and paint on canvas24 x 16 x 2 inches/61 x 40.6 x 5.1 cm
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Emil LukasWedge #0944, 2008thread on wood frame24 x 16 x 2.5 inches/61 x 40.6 x 6.4 cm
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Emil LukasTitration #0933, 2008paint on canvas with organic24 x 16 x 2 inches/61 x 40.6 x 5.1 cm
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Emil LukasGrowing #0921, 2008thread over wood frame with paper back24 x 16 x 2 inches/61 x 40.6 x 5.1 cm
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Emil LukasPeeling #0938, 2008thread on wood frame24 x 16 x 2 1/2 inches/61 x 40.6 x 6.3 cm
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Emil LukasCord entanglement #0939, 2008paint on canvas with thread24 x 16 x 2 inches/61 x 40.6 x 5.1 cm
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Emil LukasGray spot #0935, 2008thread on wood frame24 x 16 x 2.5 inches/61 x 40.6 x 6.4 cm
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Emil LukasStubble #0948, 2008thread on wood frame24 x 16 x 2 1/2 inches/61 x 40.6 x 6.3 cm