RECO - Revealment & Concealment art series
In my new art series, titled RECO, I delve into the boundaries of reality perception and contemplate the stories, images, or memories that shape in our minds our individual translation of reality. Each moment in our lives is a unique, never-before-experienced span of time. While our daily routines may appear repetitive, on a grander scale, we hurtle through space at an astounding 1.6 million miles per day, moving at a staggering speed of 66,666 miles per hour as our planet Earth orbits the Sun. With every passing moment, we occupy a new space, internally and externally, as our emotions, circulatory system, and nerves are constantly in flux.
Our perception of reality is ever-changing, influenced by what our brains choose to reveal or conceal. The same artwork can evoke laughter in one person and tears in another, while a third viewer might remain indifferent. Behind each scene lies deeper layers of perception, different hues of interpretation, memories, and beliefs.
In the RECO series, I grapple with this elusive nature of reality, using my artworks as messengers. Each artwork is built upon another on a deeper layer; some are constructed from a composite of four distinct artworks. Yet, when viewed, the observer sees only the final layer, with subtle remnants protruding from the layer beneath. It remains one new artwork, and once it is completed, I am unable to unveil the deeper layers from which it is composed. However, I have documented them, and they reside in my memory. What matters to me most is the viewer's perception of the artwork. Does knowing the fact that the artwork is comprised of four layers of different artworks underneath make a difference to their experience?
The same principle applies to our thoughts, relationships, and emotions—we reveal what we choose to disclose and hide what we prefer to keep concealed. Our choices shape our perception of reality.
In the RECO art series, I invite viewers to embrace the interplay of revealment and concealment, encouraging them to embark on a journey of discovery and unlock the myriad layers of meaning concealed within the enigmatic world of art. In doing so, we celebrate the enduring power of art to reveal the complexities of the human experience while acknowledging the mysteries that define our existence.

Have magic in your life
Ted Barr