John Mason's X pots

Oops... this post was intended for a different blog (thesis in progress), but I suppose as part of Practical Pursuit it does represent 2 activities that are fairly habitual to me: Looking at a lot of art and capturing images and thoughts about those that grab me, for whatever reason. The whole blogging thing is fairly new, so I suppose it's inevitable that I mix up postings once in a while, especially since I have about half a dozen blogs I keep or contribute to!

These two images of John Mason's 'X Pots' (circa 1957) prompted me to see some of the forms I've been using as propellers, rather than stylized flower forms.

Mason uses the X as a visual element in many of his works. As I revisited some of his images, I began to see how he incorporates it, sometimes directly, sometimes more subtley.  A few examples:

Red X, 1996 1.5 metres tall

  2008

1958

(not sure of year, but late 20th, early 21st cent.)

Trans Orb Blue Green with Tracers, 2006 

The Trans Orb seems to take on the feel of a pinwheel, as much as an X or propeller.  Interesting, as I've been looking at the little pinwheels in my studio recently, thinking how similar their form is to some of the props. Curious how context (as well as formal elements of color, surface texture, scale, etc.) can affect perception of form. Curious too the fine lines between object as a threat (prop to manati) and object as means of  opportunity/advancement (props on Titanic) and object as toy (pinwheel). How much is the essence of the object and how much do we bring to it?

Note to self: revisit Bucky Fuller's ideas on divisions of universe (line, intersection, vortices, etc.). there may be some parallel here as forms go from X to prop to pinwheel.....