Cubomania

…the wood amongst the trees…..

Van Gogh; Wikimedia

Cubomania is a surrealist method of making collages in which a picture or image is cut into squares and the squares are then reassembled without regard for the original image, either automatically “or at random.” ….The technique was invented by the Romanian surrealist Gherasim Luca. Wikipedia

All the images in this post have been made using the Cubomania app developed by John Johnston of DS106, (and other fine stuff), fame. Addictive and almost too easy to use it can provide hours of creative and analytic fun. A visual toy for all ages.

By deconstructing images into random regular elements it enables us to see the wood amongst the trees, the hidden details we may have missed, the texture of the paint, the stories within stories, the sub plots. We can analyse colour palettes, discover new forms, re-interpret text or invent new realities.

Cubomania can serve as an inspiration for new works or serve a basis for exploring the subconscious, possibly the raison d’être of the original surrealist process.

It’s a great tool for making new ‘stuff’— remixes, puzzles, and quizzes — for example — what’s that picture? It can make a statement. Each cubomania artefact suggests a new visual adventure. Each square can be read differently.

Some examples for starters…..

Stories within stories: Bruegel; Wikimedia

Travel, the colours of port Mogan Gran Canaria; author CC BY

Emmet Cricket Club; National Library of Ireland, no known copyright restrictions

Homage to Mondrian; Wikimedia Commons

Technology, Joe Haupt CC BY

People; Wikimedia

Some typography; Margaret M, CC BY

And finally the amount variation in colour tone and texture that can be found in a simple study of a generic summer sky.

Blue Skies — Image credit: Martin Duggan CC BY

thanks for your time and thanks for looking….