“Straumsvik” by Neal Johnson, Photograph, 20x24in, 2018, Archival pigment inkjet print available as a print ($100) or framed ($200). Edition of 3.
Neal Johnson’s fascination with the relationship between natural and man-made forms travels outside of the United States in his current exhibit, Landforms. The theme has preoccupied the mind of many artists in the Post-Industrial Age, but Johnson’s work underscores that, in spite of the notion that technology is shrinking the world into a “Global Village” it remains vast enough that we are unlikely to exhaust this theme anytime soon.
Johnson explains in his Artist’s Statement for the exhibit: “As one of the youngest landmasses on the planet, the small, north Atlantic country of Iceland is a land of geological wonder and awe. Iceland is situated in one of the most dynamic volcanic regions in the world due to its proximity to the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Here, the collision of tectonic plates forces heat and magma close to earth’s surface, resulting in tremendous geothermal resources. It’s with these natural resources that Iceland has been able to generate inexpensive, renewable and sustainable energy solutions. This carbon-free energy extraction is critical to preserving and protecting Iceland’s fragile landforms and ecosystem ----maintaining the integrity of the fragile landscape.”
“Red Sands” by Neal Johnson, Photograph, 20x24in, 2018, Archival pigment inkjet print available. Edition of 3.
“Landforms is an examination of Iceland’s geothermal extraction infrastructure and its relation to the natural landscape. The way in which the structures have been designed, whether intentionally or coincidentally, have a mass and a volume and an aesthetic that echo the natural landforms around them. These photographs explore how natural and manmade landforms coexist in this unique environment while still an maintaining an egalitarian relationship.”
It would be not be difficult to draw conclusions from these images about the cultural contrasts in the architecture characteristic of more industrialized societies. For how long have large cities been erecting oversize constructions that push back or even overwhelm nature instead of reflecting it? If humanity finds itself in a state of unease in the 21st century, how much of the explanation lies in an intentional rejection of such harmony and a willful disconnection from the natural world in our daily lives?
Johnson has been photographing Iceland for the past two years, using a 6”x 7” medium format camera to achieve optimal clarity and resolution for this process. His exhibit at PART Studio in Louisville, Kentucky is part of the 2019 Louisville Photo Biennial and there will be a closing reception on Friday, November 1, 6:00-9:00pm.
Hometown: Louisville, Kentucky
Education: Associates Degree in Graphic Design, Sullivan University, 2002
Website: Nealparkerjohnson.com
Instagram: @neal_parker
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“Akranes” by Neal johnson, Photograph, 30x40in, 2018, Archival pigment inkjet print available as a print ($200) or framed ($400). Edition of 3.
“Orka” by Neal Johnson, Photograph, 20x24in, 2018, Archival pigment inkjet print available as a print ($100) or framed ($200). Edition of 3.
“West Fjords” by Neal Johnson, Photograph, 30x40in, 2018, Archival pigment inkjet print available as a print ($200) or framed ($400). Edition of 3.
Written by Keith Waits. Entire contents copyright © 2019 Louisville Visual Art. All rights reserved. In addition to his work at the LVA, Keith is also the Managing Editor of a website, Arts-Louisville.com, which covers local visual arts, theatre, and music in Louisville.
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