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Polymorphous

four1 Polymorphous 05

four2 Polymorphous 06a

four3 Polymorphous 07c

four4 Polymorphous 08b

four5 Polymorphous 08c

four6 Polymorphous 10b

four7 Polymorphous 11a

four8 Polymorphous 12d

polymorphism

chris klein art

The essential difference between a circle and a straight line is that the former defines a finite amount, the latter doesn't. As such they are reminiscent (albeit inversely) of the 1 and 0 of binary notation, most familiarly known for its use in computer code. In a similar way the most basic thought anyone can have is to make a simple yes/no differentiation. This is also the starting point of natural growth when cells first begin to divide. When differentiation meets exponential multiplication the possibilities are infinite.

What if we were to consider the possibility that maybe there are no divine plans other than those that we invent and that everything only seems purposeful because we choose to make it so.

The polymorphous series is an experiment exploring the range of possibilities available by combining the simplest of elements. The tonal images created by superimposing successive circles and lines, expressed as radial and linear gradients, develop in complexity in a way that resembles the growth of natural forms. There has been no attempt made to create anything representational - the images just evolve that way as the process progresses.

Polymorphous is defined as having, taking, or passing through many different forms or stages. I felt inclined to produce a second series after seeing certain pieces of Moore's work at the Henry Moore Foundation. I was taken by the similarities between some of the shapes that Moore produced when studying natural forms and shapes that occur as a matter of inevitability.

Some of these images are now published as the polymorphism series.