The work was open for viewing only during the Summer Screenings 2024.
BLOOM by Paul Kelley United States (2013)
Manipulating video footage, I continue with a body of work that involves the use of shadows. It is an effort to challenge the viewer’s expectations. When our expectations are challenged, we slow down. This may allow us to stop, observe, reflect and question.
In this piece, a shadow of a hand is cast onto a surface and while the actual physical hand is in view palm open, the shadow remains a closed fist. Slowly, the shadow blooms to an open palm only to have the actual hand abruptly close and reopen, restarting the process.
Thinking about the idea that any kind of growth and maturity takes time, I created this work as a translation of those parts of us that take longer to develop. We often need constant practice to achieve things like balance in our lives and go through continual and sometimes repeating processes of development to begin to see parts of ourselves bloom.
Bio
Paul Kelley is an Inland Empire-based artist in southern California. He utilizes photography, video, light projection and found objects to create illusionistic installations, animation, video art, short film and performance. His primary driving force is to turn ordinary accessible items and everyday surroundings into subjects for focus and attention. The work is built on the idea of observation—playful observation and documentation that are at times interactive as well as performative. He is interested in the idea of expanding perception and much of his work is an attempt at challenging viewer’s expectations, routines and way of seeing. This element of attentiveness is at the heart of his practice.
Paul received his BA in Studio Art from the University of California, Riverside and his MFA from Claremont Graduate University. He is a recipient of Claremont Graduate University’s Joe Sonneman Photography Prize and contributes to the University’s STEAM Journal.
Pebbles Underground is focused on showcasing and promoting experimental, avant-garde, underground, and no-to-low budget projects by artist-humans from all over the world. Absurd, uncanny, witty, humorous, slow-video – all are welcomed, and loved.
Pebbles Underground is an independent project not funded by any government or corporation, and we intend to keep it that way. Main source of funding is personal donations from humans organizing the project, who are artists themselves, and the main drive of the project is formed by the energy and involvement of the organizers, and the public.
