Alison Bellgrau

Moments of Pause. 2012. Graphite.

The Second Law of Thermodynamics states that entropy will inevitably increase. Entropy, a measure of the chaos in the universe, is why a cup of coffee cools and why it is simple to create a mess, but difficult to keep a kitchen organized. This law of physics is applicable to the everyday: we dash from place to place, conversation to conversation, and reference frame to reference frame. We all contribute to the chaos, but I have found that pursuing both art, and the hard sciences, helps slow the inevitable slide into disorder. Through an in depth examination, time can be paused.

I often find that we overlook beautiful and delicate moments in our haste to complete the next task, assignment, or stage of life. This constant frantic drive forward prevents one from fully absorbing the truths and simplicities hidden within each component of an object. In the mad dash of the everyday, and within my work, I strive to find moments of pause.

Each drawing is based on a photograph that I have taken throughout my travels and life over the past year. By utilizing my photographs, I am toying with the idea of time to further highlight the transient nature of life. Each reference was taken because my curiosity dictated documentation of the intricacies. Even though each image is from a different scene, they are all of moments that could be encountered on a daily basis. By pulling the images out of the time stream, the drawings dance on the edge of abstraction. Abstracting the moment further emphasizes our inability to focus on something so seemingly insignificant.

To me, the process of drawing requires a semi-meditative state, much like a moment of pause. The repetitive and delicate nature of rendering an image necessitates slowing down, and absorbing every facet. Progression involves a careful study of the object or scene, and thus grants a greater understanding and allows one to gain insight into the true nature of the image. Seeking out the complexities and delicacies which surround us, especially those that are frequently disregarded, awards us the chance to fully observe the beauty in life and step back, change reference frames, and pause.