‘The Hurwitz Singularity’ “In a moment of self-doubt in 2003, (Portrait of Edward VI, 1546) I rushed I wondered into the National Portrait home and within hours was devouring Gallery and tumbled across a strange the works of Escher, Da Vinci and many anamorphic piece by William Scrots more. In a breath I had found ‘brothers’.”

2 The art of anamorphic perspective. Not being the only one perspective has been to admire Hurwitz’s work, Colossal present, in the world of art, Magazine identified that ‘some Tsince the great Leonardo figurative sculptors carve their Da Vinci. It can be said that Da Vinci artworks from unforgiving stone, was the first artist to use anamorphic while others carefully morph the perspective, within the arts, followed human form from soft blocks of clay. by legends such as Hans Holbein Artist Jonty Hurwitz begins with over and Andreas Pozzo, who also used a billion computer calculations before anamorphic perspective within their spending months considering how to art. The two principal techniques materialize his warped ideas using of Anamorphosis are ‘perspective perspex, steel, resin, or copper.’[3] (oblique) and mirror (catoptric).’ [1] The Technique that I will be discussing is most familiar to relate to oblique Anamorphosis. It can be created using Graphic design techniques of perspective and using innovative print and precise design strategies. My first interest in anamorphic perspective was when producing an entry for the ‘Design Museum; 2014 Competition brief: Surprise.’[2] The theme of Surprise led me to discover the astonishment that viewers of anamorphic perspective art felt. Artists such as Jonty Hurwitz, joseph Egan and hunter Thomson; all of which are recognised for their modern approach to Anamorphosis, also created this amazement with their art. I developed a certain interest in Jonty Hurwitz’s art when coming across his perspective sculpture ‘The Hurwitz Singularity,’ a piece of art that is a three-dimensional scan of the unique Hurwitz’s face that has been divided and positioned to create an element of anamorphic 3 namorphic perspective for most of his art. Although an artist, and physics fanatic, unusual alteration in his work, it Hurwitz has sparked my is Hurwitz’s interest in algorithms A interest of anamorphic that is the source of his knowledge design through his multiple on financial loaning. Hurwitz’s sculptures and use of 3D printing. knowledge of finance combined with Focusing on Hurwitz was centred on his art can be seen as an insight the way in which he uses anamorphic into the meaning of some of his perspective to stun and captivate most captivating pieces of art such the viewers of his art as well as my as ‘The Thinker’, which is found interest in the way he maintains his in Tower 42 in London. Hurwitz creativity through the collaboration has continually produced work, for of design and physics. Hurwitz was the simple reason to just create art; born in 1969 in Johannesburg South each project Hurwitz has taken in Africa, the largest and wealthiest his stride has been a standard set by province of the developing country. himself into creating marvel art and However, Hurwitz currently lives in continues like that throughout his London where he focuses on both career. Although his art is focused his artwork and his financial loan on anamorphosis, it is Hurwitz’s company. The atmosphere and three-dimensionally printed Nano- scene of London could in fact be the sculpture that he has excelled in inspiration of his artworks, as they greatest. The sculptures have been appear to relate to his financial work recognised as the smallest in the or inspiration that he has found world and have been commended when living in London. Within his by The Independent’ and ‘iGNANT’ website blog, Hurwitz explains how creative arts blog. Hurwitz received “In a moment of self-doubt in 2003, multiple art awards such as the I wondered into the National Portrait ‘Noble Sculpture prize’ in Italy 2009 Gallery and stumbled across a as well as ‘Gofigurative Art Prize’ strange anamorphic piece by William in London 2010 and a great quantity Scrots (Portrait of Edward VI, more nominations. As well as 1546)… I rushed home and within awards, Hurwitz has accomplished hours was devouring the works of in over a dozen exhibitions that Escher, Da Vinci and many more. In include multiple works in the Arthur a breath I had found ‘brothers’.”[4] Ackermann Gallery, Chelsea Royal The words of Jonty Hurwitz outline Hospital and his place of work in the the inspiration for his work as well as finance industry, Tower 42 London. forming an understanding as to why Hospital and his place of work in the he chose to focus on anamorphosis finance industry, Tower 42 London. 5 “As you move around the piece, you are presented with differ- ent images of a father figure”

This Anamorphic deeper into the relationship between towards the place where the heart perspective piece by the subject of the art and the artist. is. Each piece of the jigsaw has been THurwitz is called ‘behind The anamorphic sculpture consists compositionally placed within the me,’ it explores the relationship of 26 layers of perspex, all of which perspex so that when viewed as a between Hurwitz and his father. contain a single piece of the copper whole the figure is placed directly Via his website, Hurwitz describes mesh perspective jigsaw. Through in the middle of the collection of how ‘Using a high-resolution scan the use of copper mesh, Hurwitz Perspex; no doubt Hurwitz’s degree of his naked body I cut templates has created a bronze glistening effect in engineering will have contributed of copper mesh. The mesh cuts to the layered figure, this creates to the math and precision that are layered in perspex.’[5] I have highlights in certain points of the will have been needed to perfectly chosen to revise this piece of art as design, further adding to the three- execute the composition of each piece I think the use of materials modified dimensional appearance that is of mesh. 2008 being the beginning through laser cutting has created trying to be generated. The pieces of of the project meant that Hurwitz a captivating piece of anamorphic copper mesh are cut to recreate the worked on this piece for 5 years, perspective art. Hurwitz captures contours of Hurwitz’s father’s body. completed in 2013. The vibrancy and the viewers’ attention through the The layers begin to capture the glow of the copper creates an old but particular inspiration of his father; most protrusive parts of his body, precious feeling to the piece, as an this creates a personal pathway such as his stomach and left side of undervalued precious metal. The use from the viewer to Hurwitz via his his chest, this enhances the realism of copper may be a representation art, therefore enticing them to think of the figure and may perhaps nod of the relationship of Hurwitz

6 7 “I have always been torn between art and physics.”

8 “I have always been torn between art and physics.”

and his father being precious but the most supportive parent is not undervalued by the artist. The there and one learns to be alone.’[6] negative space between each layer of copper mesh is what makes this sculpture a piece of anamorphic; the viewer will only find certain ways to view the art effectively. The development of laser cutting has certainly helped Hurwitz to produce a clean-cut piece of art made out of copper. Hurwitz won Bernard Nobel Sculpture Prize for this piece and when interviewed explained the function of the art and its meaning. ‘‘Behind Me’ represents the way a child perceives parental support. As you move around the piece, you are presented with different images of a father figure, from present and solid on occasions to ephemeral and absent altogether on others, reflecting those times when even 9 10 This image is an example of a more traditional piece of anamorphic perspective Tart by Hurwitz; I have chosen to study it for that very reason. Hurwitz has used many techniques of anamorphosis while creating his wide range of art but it is the most traditional techniques that result to be most effective. As well as using one of the very first anamorphic techniques, Hurwitz has taken catoptric anamorphosis and adapted it to blend with his use of more physical materials such as acrylic, perspex and three-dimensional printing. The use of a cuboid mirror stretches the image that it is reflecting; therefore typically shaped objects would appear disfigured and stretched. Whereas artists would normally create exquisite drawings, that appeared stretched on paper and normal through the reflection, Hurwitz has created sculptures that appear stretched when viewed on their own and normal through the reflection. I chose this piece of catoptric perspective art out of his many, as it was immediately the most thought provoking to me. It made me question what it could represent and when reading what Hurwitz had said beside it; it made me think even deeper about it and how it could represent what he intended. The Title of this piece of work is ‘Yoda and the Anamorphic’; a strange but thought evoking title; one of which 11 12 represents enlightenment. Posted with the picture on his website Hurwitz says “Satori is a Japanese Buddhist term for “Enlightenment”. Buddhist teachings explain that the greatest our perceptions of reality are built on the foundation of ego. In “ essence, the greatest obstacle to enlightenment is the self. The self is obstacle to a worldly illusion created by desires and needs.”[7] This explanation of enlightenment combined with this piece of anamorphosis could enlightenment lead to many interpretations of the meaning of the work. The morphed image viewed without the mirror could be a representation of one that hasn’t found enlightenment as it is is the self deformed and not yet perfect, until viewed though the mirror, which may represent the perspective, that ” is needed to find perfection in one’s life. Hurwitz has merged his work with the ideology of Buddhism in this piece, to Buddhists, finding enlightenment is one of the best feelings. This may represent the way Hurwitz wants you to feel when viewing his art. As well as the cuboid mirror, Hurwitz has used the four- dimensional printing to create his outcome. Using advanced knowledge of physics, combined with graphic design printing techniques and three- dimensional scanning, Hurwitz has created a stretched sculpture of an exact scan of a human head.

13 he use of acrylic, the hand may be a symbol of help, ink and resin in this a hand used every day to help perspective piece of and work, perhaps Hurwitz was Tart called ‘refugee’ trying to capture a symbol that are a depiction of a hand, in would suggest a support system Hurwitz’s eyes representing the for disadvantages refugees? separation of family’s forces Similar to his other perspective to flee their homes because of pieces ‘refugee’ is created using war, terrorism or persecution. I perspex, in this piece however chose to concentrate on another Hurwitz has created a kind of of Hurwitz’s anamorphic negative space, in contrast to the perspective sculptures because resin, of purple ink. The contrast of the choice of materials and between the detailed white resin figure chosen to represent the figures of a hand on the outside ‘Separated Child Foundation’. of the perspex may represent the Created in 2009, this perspective hand outside of comfort. The sculpture was a project that would use of purple in it is a vibrant link with Hurwitz’s passion for contrast to the clean white resin; the separated families that would this contrast allows each part need to seek refuge in other of the hand to be prominent 14 countries. The representation of in the piece. As well as a good 15 16 contrast of colour, purple is also sculpture informs the viewer of a the colour of the foundations cause supporting child refugees. logo. Hurwitz has clearly used On his website Hurwitz states that his skill with perspective art to ‘Around 1500 separated children advertise an excellent cause as arrive in the United Kingdom well as allowing the viewer to every year, with the highest discover something of interest numbers in circa 2010 coming to the artist. The interesting from Afghanistan, Somalia, combination of the hand halfway Iran, Iraq, and Eritrea.’ It is outside of the perspex and being clear that this fact is somewhat a different material shows a range inspiration for this piece.’[8] in the materials Hurwitz tends to use in his art and reflects his skill when mixing to completely different materials. Hurwitz is obviously passionate about the subject of refugees and through this anamorphic perspective

17 ecognized as a physicist as well as an anamorphosis, artist RHurwitz has produced this piece called ‘The Thinker’ and on his website titles it, ‘co- founder’ representing the role he has in the financial industry as the creator of algorithms and co-founder for ‘Wonga. com’. To experience this piece of Anamorphosis art in full, perspective is key. Only when viewed through a circular metal welded viewfinder can the piece be seen for its true form; a bold clown smoking. As a very odd thing to capture through anamorphic perspective art, it leaves the viewer to create his or her own interpretation of what it may mean. Hurwitz’s inspiration for the piece has very clearly come from his alter ego career in finance, as well as the fact it is placed in entrance Tower 42 in 2010, a large London skyscraper and home of banking offices. When viewed from other angles the viewer can identify that the many parts to the jigsaw that makes up this anamorphic perspective piece is hanging from metal rods that each have a four-dimensionally scanned finger on top. This may 18 represent the many people who 19 20 contribute the finance company or perhaps through deeper thought Hurwitz could be saying that he is feels like a clown in the finance industry, pulled and molded by the many people that run the business, hence the use of fingers. This almost creates a puppeteer image to the piece. The materials used in this piece are Resin, powder, steel and perspex; all of which he has used in many of his projects. The use of very clean cut shapes and materials gives the piece a very clear and structured tone to it, easy to view and understand the intent of the way the artist wants you to view it as well as seeing each piece of the puzzle openly. Hurwitz seems to want to make the viewer think about what it may mean as he says here ‘The Thinker’ is a kind of self not-portrait. You see, it’s not my face, I’m not a clown and in my head I don’t smoke. I’m not fragmented and it’s not funny. And yet...if you take the time to think about it...” [9].

“...take the time to think about

it...” 21 “...Theres a digital footprint wherever we go”

22 23 24 fter studying and humanity” [10]. Again like all his reviewing most of pieces, Hurwitz has connected his Jonty Hurwitz’s physicist knowledge with his art A known artwork it as well as presenting an ideology was a piece called ‘The Hurwitz that he is passionate about. The Singularity’ that became my piece is a four-dimensionally favorite of his anamorphosis art. scanned and printed image of Created in 2008-2012, Hurwitz Hurwitz’s head, hence the use of created a piece of perspective his name in the title. Hurwitz’s art that represents the theory head being split into seven pieces of ‘technological singularity. allows the viewer to see each bit He explains in a video, on his of detail in separate sections and website, that “this piece is looking makes the experience a much at the fragmentation of humanity, more complex one. Every angle because the technological that the piece is viewed at gives singularity is a moment that the viewer a different thought as people are talking about where well as perspective. Although split computers potentially overtake into seven, what appears to be

25 equal slices, it can be recognized that the last slice of the scanned head is larger. This may have been an intentional feature to the piece, however I think equally spaced parts would have made the piece more compositionally equal. By splitting up each part of his face it could suggest that Hurwitz is trying to analyses himself, separating himself and then finding a perspective that brings him back together. Again this deeper meaning to Hurwitz’s work is just interpretation, but shows how each piece of his work has some meaning and room for interpretation to each viewer. On his website, Hurwitz explains how “This sculpture offers a personal and emotional space-time boundary that each of us cross several times in our lives. It represents that moment when a personal epiphany emerges in your life that changes your perspective forever.” [11]

26

28 Hurwitz has inspires me through not only his combination of H physics and art but also though his dedication to anamorphic perspective. Each piece of his art is a different interpretation of the traditional methods and by adapting them it makes his work unique to the world of anamorphosis art. Hurwitz influenced my work through the use of perspective, after already focusing on and researching artwork that mattered depending on perspective it was Hurwitz’s work that showed me that for work to be viewed from different angles shows diversity and could offer more information that was seen in the first glance. My final design for the Design Museum Brief of surprise was a signage system that directed you depending on the direction you were going and viewing it. It was The Hurwitz’s Singularity’ that inspired me to interpret two different perspectives to the signs.

29 To me Hurwitz is an artist that took traditional methods and made them better. By taking inspiration from Hans Holbein and Andreas Pozzo and creating something completely different but equally fascinating it allowed Hurwitz to create a new form of anamorphic perspective art. By researching Jonty Hurwitz my knowledge of this art form has been completely changed. Not only does it demand creativity but also it requires the intellect to plan, design, and experiment and solve. Although the materials that Hurwitz used were vastly different to mine, the innovation of his use of perspective taught me to experiment with the views of your work. I discovered traditional and modern anamorphosis artists while researching Hurwitz and his creativity ‘out did them all.’ Hurwitz has now inspired me to always consider multiple perspectives in not only my work but in life. 30 31 Photographs -http://www.jontyhurwitz.com/ -http://www.celesteprize.com/_files/opere/2010_45694_67967.jpg -http://a4.format-assets.com/image/private/s--LiTXCWA---/c_limit,g_ center,h_65535,w_1600/a_auto,fl_keep_iptc.progressive,q_95/34814-389912 -http://jontyhurwitz.format.com/blog/hurwitz-singularity-on-usa-tour -https://dublin.sciencegallery.com/illusion/hurwitz

References [1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anamorphosis [2]http://designmuseum.org/learning/for-colleges-and-further- education/14-19-student-design-competition [3]http://www.thisiscolossal.com/2013/01/the-skewed-anamorphic-sculp- tures-and-engineered-illusions-of-jonty-hurwitz/ [4]http://www.thisiscolossal.com/2013/01/the-skewed-anamorphic-sculp- tures-and-engineered-illusions-of-jonty-hurwitz/ [5] http://www.jontyhurwitz.com/misimpressionism/ [6] http://www.bnsf.org.uk/winners/2009/ [7] http://www.jontyhurwitz.com/yoda-and-the-anamorph [8] http://www.jontyhurwitz.com/refugee [9] http://www.celesteprize.com/artwork/ido:67619/ [10] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3jXAqs9W5o#t=44 [11] http://www.jontyhurwitz.com/hurwitz-singularity https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o47Ze-7FXkU#t=173

Bibliography -http://www.jontyhurwitz.com -http://www.thisiscolossal.com/2013/01/the-skewed-anamorphic-sculptures- and-engineered-illusions-of-jonty-hurwitz/ - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anamorphosis - http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/artists/hans-holbein-the-younger - http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/old-masters/andrea-pozzo.htm - https://www.youtube.com/user/BingeThinkingJonty