ALCHEMIST OF PERCEPTION AND TRANSFORMATION
Project HIGH ART
by Ann Williams
Cynthia Karalla is an alchemist, an activist, and an experimental artist who thrives on pushing the boundaries of contemporary reality. Her work transcends conventional art forms, blending elements of architecture, photography, fine arts, and alchemical philosophy. In her journey as an artist, she has harnessed the power of transforming negatives into positives, both in her life and her art.
Karalla’s artistic voyage begins with a background in architecture that later melds with her love for photography. Her ability to bend time linearity is evident in her work, where she utilizes photography as a tool to redirect our vision and reframe our perception of reality. In a post-digital world characterized by chaos and unpredictability, she uses the process of developing film as a metaphor for navigating through life’s intricacies.
Her alchemical perspective has taught her to embrace the unpredictability inherent in transformation. Karalla’s most renowned project, “Untitled, Mono Lisa,” involved capturing 3,500 shots of an ordinary person over eight days, transforming them into an entrancing Renaissance art icon. This transformative process, akin to alchemical transmutation, showcases the immense power of the human mind in reshaping material reality.
Expanding on this theme, Karalla delves into projects like “Fat Lands” and “Intelligent Design,” where she dissects and reconstructs decaying matter, exposing the futility of material possessions and societal norms. Even child-rearing, when treated as a commodity, becomes a form of entrapment in the prison of conventionality. Her art reflects a profound analysis of her own identity as a female artist, sparking a journey of self-discovery and transformation.
“The Baby Grand Piano” is a striking example of Karalla’s ability to challenge taboos. By encouraging men to confront their insecurities and participate in an unconventional photoshoot, she transformed the negatively perceived icon of the penis into a playful and whimsical representation. This project, once again, emphasizes her message that shifting our perspective and framing of reality can lead to positive outcomes from negative starting points.
Karalla’s artistic journey is marked by a consistent presence of unpredictability and contingency. Projects like “I Ching,” inspired by the ancient Chinese divination tradition, pay homage to John Cage by manifesting visual chaos from unknown negatives into harmonious compositions. She embraces the role of chance in her work, infusing her pieces with an element of surprise.
“Seconds,” “Developer Sketches,” and “Cracked Ribs” further exemplify her transformative approach. “Seconds” sees Karalla capturing the reflection of Los Angeles homes in water, turning turbulence and sorrow into beautiful abstractions reminiscent of great artists like Picasso and Basquiat. “Developer Sketches” originated from a Craigslist scam, evolving into transcendental thought and taking on the symbolic form of the Ouroboros, signifying renewal and destruction. “Cracked Ribs” captures the essence of time, breath, and movement through the lens of a hot Italian summer, born from a mundane accident.
Cynthia Karalla’s experiments reveal a central theme: true transformation begins within, leading to changes in our external reality. In her own words, “The process of developing is one of the mind, to be able to take the negatives in life and turn them into positives.” Like an alchemist transmuting lead into gold, Karalla applies these principles to her daily life and artistic practice. Her works are not just beautiful images but recorded accounts of a transformed vision, offering a fresh perspective on how to live life to the fullest.
Karalla’s recent project, “The Zeckendorf Project – Central Park – 1289 Lexington,” is a testament to her evolving artistry. Commissioned to create 17 unique photographs for a luxury condominium project on the Upper East Side, she reimagines iconic Manhattan views in bold hues of purple, orange, and pink. Each image is a manifestation of her ability to challenge the status quo and offer a unique, transformative perspective on the world around us.
In a world filled with conventional art, Cynthia Karalla stands out as a visionary who constantly redefines the boundaries of artistic expression. Her work challenges us to reevaluate our perceptions, embrace transformation, and seek the beauty hidden within the negatives of life. Cynthia Karalla is more than just an artist; she is an alchemist of perception and transformation, leaving an indelible mark on the world of contemporary art.
PRESS
White Hot Magazine, by Anthony Haden-Guest
Project High Art: Alchemist of Perception and Transformation
The New York Times – A Longtime Artist Reimagines City Landmarks
La Gazzetta Del Mezzogiorno – Mare di Metaponto a Lexington Aveue
La Gazzetta Del Mezzogiorno, National & Regional, Fotografia moderna, “The Baby Grand Piano.”
Studio
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