Fractal Project Continues After Successful Reception at Scecina
Working with artisans from diverse backgrounds, Indianapolis artist Conrad Cortellini’s first “Quadro” of his Feedback Fractal Project was built in space donated by DeveloperTown, an Indianapolis high-tech startup company, and completed in August 2016.
At the invitation of Scecina President Joe Therber, Cortellini, a 1961 graduate of Scecina, set up an artist-in-residence studio at Scecina in February 2017, where students and other artisans built Quadro Two – the Scecina Quadro over the course of two years.
The two Quadros were joined for the first time in May of this year, and a reception was held at the Scecina studio to mark the occasion on June 12, 2019. Video of the event can be viewed at “Joining Two Quadros” reception.
Below, Cortellini explains the project:
By Conrad Cortellini ’61
The Feedback Fractal Project is progressing with its intent to build a Monument for Our Time. Our Time is the most complex in Human history. At the beginning of the 21st century, the science of Chaos and the mathematics of Fractal Geometry changed our perception of chaos, order, and the nature of the Universe. This work is intended as a tribute to these ideas and as a commentary on their cultural consequences. It brings together the new abstract ideas, computer graphics, practical problem solving, and community collaboration and raises questions about technology’s impact on our society and our human interaction with our machines.
The title, “Splendor of the Firmament,” is taken from Daniel 12:3: “But the wise shall shine brightly like the splendor of the firmament, and those who lead the many to justice shall be like the stars forever.”
The work is a portrait of Chaos – a paper relief vision of the Magnificence of the Universe. It is also a Monument for Our Time.
At 36 foot by 24 foot, it is truly monumental as illustrated by the YouTube video “The Short Story.” In both imagery and process this work echoes the complexity of our moment in time. Because the record of the process and the people involved in its making is an important part of the “Art” of the work, it will also be a Tapestry of the Story of its Making.
The fundamental unit of assembly is the Module, which is comprised of 100 elements. Sixteen modules are then assembled into Sections and 16 sections make up a Quadro. Artisans contributed to varying degrees depending on time and skill. Some helped with making Elements in a group setting. Most contributed a single module and others contributed multiple Modules. Of the 16 sections comprising the Scecina Quadro, 15 were made by Paul Cortellini, Scecina Class of 1962 and his wife, Roz.
Scecina students who helped are: Victoria (Tori) Williams, Allison (Allie) Foley, Sophia Chamblee, Michael Young, Michael Gallagher, Marie Owens, Jasmine Xuand Sha’Tiya Cummings. Little Flower Catholic School student Audrey Williamsonalso helped.
To learn more about the makers view the video The Makers. We are encouraged. The work continues. To participate contact Conrad@Cortellini.net, 317-466-1099, cortellinistudios.com
