Unknown Astronomies: Surfaces of Last and Present Scattering: The ‘surface of last scattering’ is a term from astronomy and physics, referring to the ultimate limit of visual light, resulting from Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation and its origins from the Big Bang. The term references a time before which light could not escape from matter’s interactions, and after which light could transit, such that stars, galaxies and other light-emitters could begin to form and then be seen. To me this implies a kind of limit of what can be known, visually speaking. I made these artworks in circular formats and richly textured but evenly distributed, like a fog that disperses light, hiding form from sight. These artworks thus are a sort of paradox: an identifiable artwork full of sparkle and texture, but implying a kind of blindness. Each of these artworks is 24″ in diameter, and painted in acrylics mixed with dirt, mica, carbon — common ingredients in the formation of the Earth. Due to these materials, these painting’s sheen, reflectivity, and coloration changes a lot depending on ambient light, such that the same surface might appear light and silvery sometimes but brown or golden, bluish or greenish, at other times, creating another form of visual transience.
Gregory Scheckler 