Evidence of the Infinite

A review of Dylan Yvonne Welch's exhibition Trace Evidence in Transpace at ISU.

I found the atmosphere of Trace Evidence to be similar to that of a museum display. I think this fits well with the art, which has a very scientific feel to it. The work is composed of many disparate, often geometric, pieces laid in intricate patterns. Additional patterns inside those pieces reference such things as stars, mountains, and sound waves. The result is holistic pieces whose mysterious “evidence” points back to the entire universe.

One of the Untitled pieces features a pyramid of triangles. Some of these triangles are created out of three-shaded triangles which make a pinwheel-like pattern. Some of those triangles are in turn created out of more three-shaded triangles. This same technique is found in other pieces such as Bucky Ball Net and another Untitled piece, which feature concentric hexagons and a repeating semicircle pattern, respectively. The use of the repeating patterns which grow smaller and smaller gives the feeling of something infinite. Perhaps they continue beyond what our eyes can perceive.

Untitled; with the pyramid of triangles

Bucky Ball Net

Close up of Bucky Ball Net

Untitled; with the semicircles

Close up of Untitled

Audium in the Morning resembles a series of planets. A series of geometric shapes forms a fairly spherical shape in the center of the page. Above and possibly “behind” it, several smaller spheres can be seen, with crinkled, earth-like textures. The star patterning around the edges of the paper reinforces the idea of planets in space.

Audium in the Morning

Unlike many shows in Transpace, this one is dimly lit with brighter lights shining only on each piece. This lighting is reminiscent of museum displays and reinforces the idea that you are supposed to be finding some sort of “evidence” in these works.

The use of small, modular pieces, repeating patterns, and various textures makes these pieces extremely interesting. They demand to be inspected for a long period of time, and yet one can still find something new each time they look again. I am compelled to keep searching for the evidence of some kind of universal truth.

Necker Space

Nesting I, II, and III