Loops: The Figure-Eight Garland Exploration

This body of work delves into the fascination with figure-eight garlands, infinite decorative ribbons derived from the "lemniscate" (the figure 8), the enigmatic symbol from algebraic geometry. The figure-eight is a symbol historically burdened with dualities. It carries an association with Neo-Nazi culture, as it is often represented by the code "88," while paradoxically being revered as auspicious in Chinese culture, especially as "888." In Jewish culture, the number 8 symbolizes new beginnings, introducing a painful tension. In Kabbalistic teachings, the number seven represents attainable perfection through natural methods, whereas eight signifies a realm beyond nature.

This artistic practice invites the unpredictable elements of chance and nature to interact with stark compositions of color and line, pattern and movement, and physicality: the figure-eight garlands. By embracing spontaneity and arbitrariness, each piece evolves organically on its own and as part of a series within this body of work, capturing the essence of the unexpected. The rigid mathematical precision of the lemniscate is transformed as it encounters the artistic gesture. This method not only breathes life into the static symbol but also reflects the constant interplay between human intention and the uncontrollable aspects of the natural world. Through this process, the work transcends its initial form, offering a visual exploration of harmony and tension, predictability and randomness, much like the dualities inherent in the figure-eight itself.

In engaging with contemporary art discourses, this work interrogates symbolism, cultural appropriation, and the reinterpretation of historical motifs. By contextualizing the figure-eight within today's global and culturally diverse landscape, it reflects contemporary concerns about identity, power structures, and the fluidity of meaning. Ultimately, these pieces aim to provoke contemplation on how symbols acquire multifaceted meanings and evoke a dialogue on the coexistence of order and chaos, revealing the profound complexities embedded within seemingly simple forms.