Ana Sousa

Artist Statment – Work in progress

‘(…) Colours persent themselves in continuous flux,

constantly related to changing the neighbors and
changing conditions (…)’ Josef Albers –
“Interaction of colors” book.

CAP 2 2018
• For the last four months I focused on understanding colour. I
realized that I was studying more the impact on the eye of the
viewer, the optical effect of colour, rather than the colour itself. I
wanted to emphasize the activity of color, it sense of presence.
• My studies ranged from paintings to video animations. When I
began my research I became aware of Josef Albers studies and
how he created scientific samples to demonstrate the dynamics of
colour relationships, both warm/cold effects.
• Made my first colour works to explore colour combination, by 27-april-2018
painting a series of small canvases (18) to be seen grouped
together to create an “after-image” effect.
This interactive effect raised the issue – how could I add actual movement to the
still images? – so I changed my method of practice to digital animation and
started making videos, showing a sequence of colours constantly alternating, to
see if single images succeeded each others in rapid transition. I then explored
what it was to make a film of colours samples in continuous transition, always
keeping in mind that everything influences how the effect is seen, from the time of
each individual image to the manipulation of each single colour.

-6/38 images from the colour animation video

(not-following).

Video Projections into a white wall, scale

limited by the size of the spaces.
 • At first it seems that in order to create a proper animation, the video
had to have a smooth transition, but, after some research I saw the work
of the artist called Simon Payne - “Vice Versa Et Cetera”, and the
transition on his video work was very sharp and fast, I then realize that
the smoothness takes away the” after-image” effect.
• So the latest videos went back to single image sequence to be faster and
sharper. Worked on the transitions and also, create much better colour
combinations.
• Changing my methods to animation really improve my understanding of
colour, how to help the viewer appreciate and have a better experience.

-6/23 images from the animation video (not-following)

Video Projections into a white walls, scale

limited by the size of the spaces
• It feels that today’s art is more
appreciate by something that brings
back from the 60s that is Op Art or
Minimalism.
• I use simple solid colours so these
animations have an impact on the
viewer, because they exist in a
constant confrontation, it keeps
challenging the viewers
surroundings because of their strong
contrast and presence.

CAP 2 2018