These photographs are four dimensional in concept and execution, but only two in the presentation.
The concept of space and time is reconstructed in the mind of the viewer. – Stephen Lawson

Motion Pictures – Change by Degrees – Photographs by: Stephen Lawson

The first of a two part series addressing pictures in motion, this exhibition of Stephen Lawson’s work is unique. The qualities conveyed by both subject matter and time frame incent the viewer’s engagement and interpretation.

“The photo-based works grow from my background as a sculptor. These are four dimensional in concept and execution, but only two in the presentation. The concept of space and time is reconstructed in the mind of the viewer,“ states Lawson.

The technical creativity involved in the concept, design, production and operation of the one-of-a-kind cameras required to produce these time based works has evolved over the years and relies on Lawson’s distinct talents.

The year and day-long works could be thought of as bringing a concentrated gaze; the brief, dynamic shots read as a glance, in the turn of the head, as the eye itself sees, before the mind edits this to a visual memory, often as a “still.” Indeed, all of the images could be thought of as movies presented as stills.

Featured in this exhibition is the work of Stephen Lawson.

Select this link to view his complete artist page.

Stephen Lawson, born in Glasgow Scotland, studied figurative sculpture at Edinburgh College of Art with a pupil of Charles Despiau. He received an undergraduate degree in 1967, and an MFA from the University of Colorado, in 1970. Lawson taught sculpture at Ohio State University for six years, prior to his relocation to West Virginia.

Artist Statement:
The photo-based works grow from my background as a sculptor. These are four dimensional in concept and execution, but only two in the presentation. The concept of space and time is reconstructed in the mind of the viewer.

Almost thirty years ago, I based myself in rural West Virginia in order to be involved in “Earth-art,” that is, art that uses the Earth itself as the physical medium of expression. My concern was in conservation, which required me to develop a non-intrusive and participatory means of working in and with the landscape. This led to work in a manner that required photo documentation, and then to the camera becoming the “central tool.”

The year and day-long works could be thought of as bringing a concentrated gaze; the brief, dynamic shots read as a glance, in the turn of the head, as the eye itself sees, before the mind edits this to a visual memory, often as a “still.” Indeed, all of the images could be thought of as movies presented as stills.

The unique cameras required to produce these time based works have been constructed by me and evolved over the years, one capability leading to the next. The first “rig” was put together in 1980. These have been very labor intensive, built with simple hand tools, hard work and patience, the conceptual skills as with the manual ones deriving from a background in sculpture.

The work is presented in a poetic mode that asks one to stand briefly outside the usual flow of time, hopefully causing us to reflect on our “time-in-the-world,” individually, culturally, and even as a species. – Stephen Lawson

Stephen Lawson

Produced and Directed by John Nakashima of West Virginia Public Broadcasting (2002), this video provides an illuminating overview into Lawson’s photography and his evolution as an artist, from his early roots as a sculptor through his truly unique photographic journey.