Atlas Obscura (The Idaean Cave)
2019 - 2023
An extension of Atlas Obscura (The Dictaean Cave) (2019-2022), this series further perpetuates the narrative of praeternatural realms. However, this collection of work intricately explores a fundamental philosophical concept: Plato’s "Allegory of the Cave," a supposition crafted by the philosopher to ponder the dichotomy between belief and knowledge. This allegory serves as a metaphor illustrating human perception, ideologies, illusions, opinions, ignorance, and sensory appearances. The cave becomes an allusion to the soul.
According to Plato, there exist two forms of perception: sensory and spiritual. Sensory perception, the realm of appearances perceived through our senses, represents a world of illusion - a shadowy existence, in Plato's view, riddled with falsehoods. True reality, he suggests, cannot be grasped through our senses but is attainable through spiritual perception, akin to divine enlightenment. To achieve this spiritual perception, one must detach from the sensory world and break free from all material constraints.
The creative process involves transforming digitally illustrated compositions into physical facsimiles by printing the skeletal framework onto aluminium sheets. Subsequently, hand-drawn motifs in oil and wax pastels emphasise three-dimensional atmospheric realms with elements of other-worldly characterisations. This leads to the creation - and adaptation - of new ornamentations and embellishments that accede to a final visual composition.
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As a side note: structured Plexiglas overlay atop select works, creating a visual distortion akin to crystalline effects. This intentional distortion prompts viewers to interpret the contained visualisations while contemplating concepts of perception and dimensional potentiality.