What inspired you to create the "Endless Ocean" print series, and what role did nature play in the inspiration?
Paralleelium is a wondrous amalgamation of Art and Design, a tribute to the ever-evolving beauty of our planet. The latest offering, Endless Ocean, delves deeper into the parallel worlds, beckoning you to break free from the confines of the tangible world and behold the Paralleelium moment - a kaleidoscope of colours that enwraps us. Endless Ocean captures the relentless ebb and flow of time and water - a formidable force that animates every nook and cranny of our globe.
"Endless Ocean", moves deeper into the parallel worlds, inviting us to free ourselves from the constraints of the material world and get a sense of time - the Parallel Moment - the multiplicity of colours and possibilities that surround us. "Endless Ocean" embodies the ceaseless movement of water and time, the all-encompassing force that brings life to our planet. The Endless Ocean series features 50 unique pieces of art that allow you to experience and explore these parallel universes.
The overarching narrative of the Paralleelium and Endless Ocean series is to create a nature preserve/habitat that would offer a safe haven for endangered species and inspire people to adopt a more compassionate and empathetic lifestyle.
Our team at MA+KE lab is multinational and the 3 of us have quite different backgrounds. This diversity gives our design lab a great place for brainstorming new ideas. Also, our base is located in Estonia, which has a low population density and plenty of untouched nature. Three-quarters of the territory is covered by forests and bogs. The air is among the cleanest in the world.
What creative techniques and mediums did you use when designing and printing these prints?
The question of envisioning something that has no clear form has become the main theme of the artwork. To solve this conundrum, we employed artificial intelligence.
Every piece started as an idea that formed a prompt, that was used by AI to create visions/dreams of something that might be or is in a parallel universe. The ultra reality of AI vision became a counterpoint for the series' visual language. A human dream is in contrast to a machine dream. Pieces show different moments of time and space in various realities.
The selection of the pieces was printed on the aluminum composite using UV printing techniques.
What message or emotion do you hope to convey through the "Endless Ocean" series, and what do you want your audience to take away from it?
All plants depicted are variants of orchids that grow in meadows of northern Europe and have been listed as endangered due to the loss of habitats and constantly changing climate.
Plants depicted in series
Anacamptis pyramidalis,
Cephalanthera longifolia
Cephalnthera rubra
Epipogium aphyllum
Gymnadenia odoratissima
Orchis morio
Orchis sambucinus
Cypripedium calceolus.
In a way, Endless Ocean was created to showcase these plants to inform people that it's not yet too late. Meadows have been shown to improve ever bigger carbon emissions. Carbon enters the soil as plants use solar energy to draw carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and make their own food. More enters the ground when plants die and are decomposed by microbes. And yet living plant roots expel carbon dioxide and so do microbes as they decompose the dead plant matter, creating a cycle of carbon uptake and emission by soil.
The bigger Narrative of the Paralleelium series is our Paralleelium habitat project. Though still in the seed phase, the dream is to build greenhouses and gardens to preserve and nurture endangered plants has grown with the Paralleelium series. Basically to give endangered species a chance to thrive and to introduce the possibilities of kinder and empathic existence with other speeches.
How did you come up with the title? And was this the only option?
Endless Ocean belongs to the Paralleelium Series being its second instalment
Paralleelium, though not an actual word, is a feeling, even more, an observatory state. A snippet of time, when all different options are available and open. An interpretation on the subject of reality, real space. And in that state, all realities become possible.
Paralleelium Series consists of:
Eternal Garden 2022
Endless Ocean 2023
Everlasting Sky 2024
From the beginning, our group’s common values are the core of our creative ideas -
we value both art and environmental awareness. That has created a meld of worlds of Art and Design to pay tribute to the resplendent, ever-evolving natural world around us.
How do you incorporate sustainability into your design process while creating prints inspired by nature?
Sustainability serves as the foundation of our artistic approach, influencing both the content and techniques employed in our artwork inspired by nature. We recognize that as artists, we have a responsibility to create in a way that respects and preserves the environment.
In the realm of fine art, we believe that true creativity and sustainability are intertwined. Our commitment to sustainability is reflected in the materials we use and the narratives we depict. We strive to create artwork that not only captivates the viewer but also promotes a deeper understanding and appreciation for the natural world.
As the concept of sustainable luxury gains traction within the art community, we embrace this socially conscious movement as a driving force behind our artistic expression. By infusing our artwork with sustainable principles, we contribute to a larger movement that seeks to transform the art industry into a more environmentally responsible and socially conscious space.
Furthermore, we strive to create pieces with lasting value. We aim to produce artwork that transcends trends and stands the test of time, both aesthetically and conceptually. By fostering a culture that values longevity and timelessness, we encourage a shift away from the disposable nature of contemporary art consumption.
Can you talk about the role of color and how you selected the color palette for the "Endless Ocean" series?
The role of colour in the "Endless Ocean" series is pivotal in conveying the atmospheric and emotional essence of each artwork. Through a carefully selected color palette, we aim to transport viewers to a realm where time and space intertwine, evoking a sense of tranquillity, wonder, and contemplation.
The colours chosen for the series reflect the natural transitions that occur throughout the day and night. From the delicate hues of evening blush, symbolizing the fading light as day transitions into night, to the deep purples that envelop the artwork, reminiscent of the mysterious depths of the ocean, each colour serves a purpose in capturing a specific moment in time.
In selecting the colour palette, we sought to create a harmonious balance between warmth and coolness, light and darkness. This balance allows for a visual narrative that takes viewers on a journey through the various moods and sensations associated with the ocean. The colors aim to evoke emotions, such as serenity, awe, and anticipation, creating a deep connection between the viewer and the artwork.
Moreover, the color palette in the "Endless Ocean" series enables viewers to speculate about the time and season depicted within each piece. By providing subtle hints through color choices, we invite viewers to engage with their own imagination and interpretation, allowing them to connect personally with the artwork.
The selected colors not only contribute to the visual impact of the series but also emphasize the overarching themes of timelessness and the cyclical nature of the ocean. They invite viewers to contemplate the eternal ebb and flow of the tides, the passage of days and nights, and the constant transformation of the natural world.
Through the deliberate selection of colors, the "Endless Ocean" series aims to create an immersive experience for viewers, where they can immerse themselves in the beauty and mystery of the ocean. The colors serve as a gateway to emotions, memories, and a deeper connection with nature, offering a glimpse into a realm where the boundaries between reality and imagination blur.
What do you envision for the future of your art, and where do you see the "Endless Ocean" series going from here?
We believe that art has the power to raise awareness and inspire action, and we hope to continue using our art as a medium to advocate for environmental conservation. Through the "Endless Ocean" series, we aim to shed light on the importance of preserving fragile ecosystems and to encourage a sense of responsibility towards the natural world.
In addition to creating digital art prints, we also plan to collaborate with organizations and institutions dedicated to conservation efforts. By partnering with like-minded entities, we can contribute to the protection and restoration of endangered species and their habitats. We envision organizing exhibitions, workshops, and educational initiatives that foster a deeper connection between art, nature, and sustainability.
Furthermore, we are exploring the possibility of utilizing emerging technologies, such as augmented reality and virtual reality, to enhance the immersive experience of our artwork. By leveraging these tools, we aim to transport viewers into the parallel worlds we depict, allowing them to engage with the artwork in a more interactive and captivating manner.
Through the "Endless Ocean" series and our future endeavors, we strive to inspire a collective appreciation for the beauty of nature and a commitment to its preservation.
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Text by @_irina.rusinovich_