The Fusion Video Series (www.phase-shift.org)

This is the third in a series of computer generated abstract color videos. The first two were The Phase Shift and Interference Videos beginning in 2007. Although those were inspired by musical composers, at this point I have allowed myself independent creative freedom. That said, they share many things in common with the earlier works.

Patterns of colors are digitally generated and cycle through all the hues of the spectrum, and blend and oppose in unpredictable ways. They generally seamlessly loop and are usually 18 minutes long. Stellar Fever is an outlier at only 5 minutes. The videos from this series vary by the shapes, arrangements of shapes, color patterns and level of complexity, but at the basic level the generative system remains the same. Like many time based experiences each one of these pieces tells a different “story.” One can achieve a wide range of visual and temporal possibilities within this seemingly restricted process.

The pieces in all the series can be experienced on different levels. They are visually quite beautiful, and set up an ever changing pattern of interesting color relationships. Additionally, like abstract art in general, their interpretation is open to the viewer’s discretion. And finally, for many they create an absorbing meditative experience. Because they are always projected larger than human scale, the experience becomes physiological and interactive. Some viewers will use their cast shadow to “play” with the videos; others sit quietly, their breathing coming into sync with the visual oscillations. One critic described these award winning videos as “light works that morph, actualize themselves in time, engage and animate our perceptions in ways for which we’re only marginally prepared.”

About the artist: 

Dennis Summers has exhibited artwork in a wide range of genres and media internationally for over 35 years. His global memorial artwork The Crying Post Project, began in 2001. In 2005 he began a series of digitally created abstract “color field” videos. They have been presented at outdoor events, and in museums and galleries throughout the world. In 2015 he began work on a series of short densely collaged CG videos collectively called Slow Light Shadow Matter. His artists books, videos and interactive digital projects are in the collections of several major museums including the MOMA, and the Pompidou Center.