Palimpsest Hourglass 1

2021-2023,
mixt media,
200x200 cm

"Palimpsest Hourglass 2" and "Palimpsest Hourglass 1" are two sister works, created to mirror each other, to render the idea of the passing of time (hourglass). Each of them presents in its anatomy the same three distinct compositions - "Death", "Rebirth", "Completion" - overlaping on the canvas in the said order on one work, and then in reverse order, on the other one. Through perpetual, slow deconstruction in time, each gradually brings to light what is slowly disappearing from its twin sister. They have visual autonomy as separate works, but communicate on a conceptual level.
The concept behind the palimpsests hourglasses is drawn from alchemy, where the ordinary metal undergoes three main stages in order to become pure gold, as well as create the Philosopher's Stone: Nigredo (or Death), Albedo (or Rebirth), and Rubedo (or Completion). The cracks in the pictural matter, ever slightly evolving, are a way of connecting the painting with the nature of life and human beings, both seen as part of an infinite alchemical meta-process, that creates beauty instead of "damage".