Arnold Chang & Michael Cherney, Salt Bloom 盐花, 2021

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photography and ink on xuan paper mounted on paper

54 1/2 x 23 1/2 in
138.4 x 59.7 cm

Salt Bloom: The “salt print” was one of the earliest processes for producing positive photographic images on standard drawing paper. The photographer wet the paper sheet with a salt solution...

Salt Bloom: The “salt print” was one of the earliest processes for producing positive photographic images on standard drawing paper. The photographer wet the paper sheet with a salt solution to make it light-sensitive. In homage to this process, Michael Cherney photographed salt crystals dissolving under a microscope. He enlarged the image details to highlight the crystals’ unique structure. When printed, the crystal's fractal qualities are enhanced, often taking on the appearance of rocks, flowers, or other natural forms. Although not skilled as a flower painter, Arnold Chang couldn’t resist harmonizing his brushwork with the salt crystals’ natural floral patterns. And rising to Michael’s challenge, Chang developed a novel technique that combines Himalayan black salt with the more conventional ink medium to further enhance the crystals’ resemblance to flower blossoms.

Exhibitions

2022 Mar-May, Ink Affinities: The Collaborative Works of Arnold Chang and Michael Cherney, Fu Qiumeng Fine Art, New York, NY.

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Artworks

Arnold Chang & Michael Cherney

Further images

Exhibitions