An Experiment in Pixelated Alchemy

May 30, 2011 12:07 PM

Artist Shawn Smith uses hand-cut wooden blocks and acrylic paint to transform images of nature into three-dimensional pixelated sculptures.

"Through the process of pixilation, color is distilled, some bits of information are lost, and the form is abstracted. Making the intangible tangible, I view my building process as an experiment in alchemy, using man-made composite and recycled materials to represent natural forms." ("Re-kindling" is probably my favorite piece.) Shawn's work was shown at the Pixel Pushers Scion Installation in LA earlier this year. E-Junkie has an in-depth interview.

posted by bayani (9 comments total)

Aka Voxels.
posted by hellojed at 12:08 PM on May 30, 2011 [2 favorites]

"Re-kindling" is probably my favorite piece

That looks so realistic...
posted by notion at 12:17 PM on May 30, 2011

I'd like you all to chip in and get me RGB Ibex for my birthday this year. Thanks.
posted by Keith Talent at 12:30 PM on May 30, 2011

iI would like to see in person, the entire collection of lcreations, anywhere nearby, "Southern California" and gladly pay the admission to let me and my dear wife into the exhibit.
posted by taxpayer at 12:31 PM on May 30, 2011

nice take on my wunderkammer fetish, thanks!
posted by ouke at 12:50 PM on May 30, 2011

Douglas Copeland's pixelated Killer Whale is good too - but it depends heavily on its site (in front of a breathtaking mountain vista) to put it over the top. Shawn Smith's pieces stand up better as stand alone pieces - I think simply because the workmanship is so much more evident. Nice!
posted by helmutdog at 2:23 PM on May 30, 2011 [2 favorites]

I love the color choice. They look like mid-90s webpage graphics so much that it tweaks my head to look at them, especially when contrasted against "real life" objects.

I wish I could examine these in person.
posted by The demon that lives in the air at 3:25 PM on May 30, 2011

I keep trying to bring them into focus!

I like the Vicious Venue installation and the 8-bit Campfire best. The Arctic Game one has a face that reminds me more of a pig than a polar bear though.
posted by harriet vane at 10:16 PM on May 30, 2011 [1 favorite]

I went to high school with him! He is a seriously talented guy. Awesome!
posted by roboton666 at 7:08 AM on May 31, 2011