Matt Pyke, Transfiguration, 2011.
Transfiguration, 2011, was created by Matt Pyke together with Realise Studio for the reopening of the prestigious digital arts gallery La Gaite Lyrique, Paris. A bulky human figure walks at a brisk equalized speed at the center of the screen and transforms in a cycle of progressively transient and surprising materials. We watch how flames grow into metal structures that transform into rock-like matter, out of which icy crystals spring. After numerous further transformations, the walking giant takes on liquid qualities, then becomes gas, and in turn transforms into a perfectly depicted fury figure out of innumerable strands of multi-colored hair; and so on.
All this time, the figure's journey across the black screen is accompanied by sound that correlates to what the viewer sees. Simultaneously, the audio is descriptive of the material of transformation itself. The figure finally dissolves into what appears to be stardust or simply light - underwritten by a high-pitched sparkly bell-like sound - and re-accumulates into flames that re-start the cycle.
On his website, Pyke describes Transfiguration as: "an anthropomorphic giant (that) endlessly evolves between primitive and advanced materials". Both "transfiguration" and "evolve" are positive words that signify a development towards and into something: a progression. In this sense, Transfiguration can be seen as a work referencing the evolution of life and humanity itself, crossing from the simple elements over into a digital hyper-real age.
The work, Video – Full HD 1080p, 10 mins 28 secs /Still – High-resolution image (PNG), 1918x1080px, is an edition of 1000. Transfiguration, 2011 is also part of s[edition]’s dynamic pricing model. As edition availability decreases the price of the work increases.
This limited Matt Pyke digital edition is available on s[edition] here
