Jacob Dahlgren- Human Sorting Algorithm

Dahlgren
Colour reading and Contexture – Jacob Dahlgren

The syntax of Constructivism, minimalism and particularly Op art are all referred to in Jacob Dahlgren’s multiform constructions and installations. Despite their highly formal nature they are playful representations of the childs mind embarking on the building-block adventure – a methodical arrangement of objects conceived via a human sorting algorithm.

‘Colour reading and contexture’ sees a large space covered with piles of coloured wood blocks, tiles, pieces of chocolate, cuts of carpet, and plastic cubes among many other things. The objects co-exist in subtle colour-groupings to produce a virtual cityscape – the simple rotational offsets, while random also remind us of computation and a randomness within predefined limits.

’I, the world, things, life’ consists of an arrangement of dartboards that reference op art and its fascination with hypnotic visuals effects. Visitors to the work can interact by throwing darts at the piece.

A key motif running through Dahlgren’s work is the most austere of abstract markings – the stripe! He has apparently collected hundreds of t-shirts and other items of clothing, photographs of buildings with striped markings, indeed the t-shirts form the basis of one of his works.

4 Responses to “Jacob Dahlgren- Human Sorting Algorithm”

  1. Marius Watz writes:

    Excellent, nice catch, Paul. I’m finding myself being more amazed by drawings and obsessive analog work these days.

  2. paul writes:

    thanx marius, yeah me too i’m totally with you there… there is such as strong connection, as ive mentioned here before, between machine processed work and the ‘human algorithmic’ stuff – i’ve been interested in obsessive drawings of a procedural nature ( mostly outsider artists)for a long time … i just love seeing the process, the mental turns, stops and starts… it has such a strong time-space aspect

  3. jqln writes:

    Wow, you find the most amazing artwork! I have long been a fan of Yayoi Kusama (whose work is more organic), and Jacob’s work seems to be a rectilinear counterpart to that. I love the way his formalist strategies are “used” by participants who become part of the work, which brings it to life. Amazing!

  4. paul writes:

    thnx jqln! as well as being the organic compliment to Dahlgren’s linear work as you mention (allthough Kusama’s work outdates Dahlgren’s) , it seems Kusama represents the spots and dots, while Dahlgren patronises the stripes! Another similarity inlcudes the use of mirrors. Im digging her stuff – thanks for pointing her work out! :)

Leave a Reply