’40s-’80s
Imagine you could visualize sounds as color and texture, or perhaps hear colors, feel sounds, and taste shapes. This is how people with synesthesia experience the world. It is a neurological condition where the brain processes stimulation in a way that allows the person to experience several senses at one time. Amsterdam-based artist Daniel Mullen explores this fascinating sensory phenomenon with an ongoing painting series titled Synesthesia.
Made in in collaboration with artist, filmmaker, and synesthete Lucy Engelman, Mullen visualizes how she perceives time, numbers, and letters. Mullen explains in an artist statement, “In Lucy’s case, when she sees or thinks about time and numbers […] she experiences a different color sequence in her mind’s eye.” He continues, “Essentially, she has an ever changing complex and luminous filter to view the abstract concepts of our world.”
Although Mullen doesn’t experience synesthesia himself, Engelman claims his paintings are the nearest visualization she’s ever seen of her experience. At first glance, Mullen’s artwork looks like three-dimensional sheets of colorful plexiglass, arranged in geometric rows and sequences. However, each incredible piece is meticulously painted with a steady hand, rendered in bright, rainbow hues. Each piece represents how Engelman experiences various times. For example, the 1950’s-80’s are visualized with 3D “sheets” of vibrant pink, orange, blue and green. In another piece, representing ancient times between 5132-5097 AD, the colors appear softer, and the lines are thinner.
Mullen’s work is currently on view at the international art festival SP-ARTE in São Paulo until April 15, 2018. Find out more about the project via Mullen’s website.
Amsterdam-based artist Daniel Mullen explores how people with synesthesia experience the world, with an ongoing painting series, titled Synesthesia.
’10s-’40s
’40s-’50s
Made in in collaboration with artist, filmmaker, and synesthete Lucy Engelman, Mullen visualizes how she perceives time, numbers, and letters.
’50s-’80s
“Crossing a century”
At first glance, Mullen’s artwork looks like three-dimensional sheets of colorful plexiglass, arranged in geometric rows and sequences.
1985-2020 AD
1374-1429 AD
However, each incredible piece is meticulously painted with a steady hand, rendered in bright, rainbow hues that represent specific times.
2085-2128 AD
7231-7290 AD
5132-5097 AD
1297-1273 AD
2037-2098 AD
1742-1694 AD
2000-2032 AD
1937 – 1972 AD
1707 – 1759 AD
6919 – 6893 AD
Daniel Mullen: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
h/t: [Lustik]
All images via Daniel Mullen.
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