Kazmier Maslanka
Kaz Maslanka spent most of the 1990's studying music and focusing on his spiritual path. His main focus in music was investigating microtonal tuning systems, just intonation in particular. The 1990's also were a time for spiritual growth. He became a student of Joseph Campbell's works and this is evident in most of his recent work.
Kaz Maslanka's first paintings from the early nineteen seventies, inspired by music, were images visualized in the music. Soon after, his synaesthesia moved toward a more empirical path by creating a visual language for aural experiences. Kaz's interest in correlating experience through language spawned his desire to study mathematics and physics. Kaz is currently pursuing his interest in using mathematics as a language for art. Kaz serves the concept of polyaesthetic and mathematical poetry by viewing mathematical equations and the variables within the equations as capable of providing the structure for metaphors. If one has a flexible view concerning what possibilities variables may take, then virtually anything can substitute the variable. This freedom transforms equations for uses other than scientific. This method frees equations from the boundaries of denotation and opens up a new world in the realms of connotation. Kaz has chosen to write words or phrases in place of the variable. Mixing poetry in the structure of mathematic equations enables him to blend the aesthetics of poetry, science and mathematics. Kaz defines verbogeometry by placing words or concepts in place of analytic geometry variables, which enables one to see an aesthetic formation of concepts in space. With phrases embedded in the mathematic equations, one can construct relationships between the phrases that can bring a linguistic richness to subjects that do not normally use mathematics as a language, e.g. cultural, spiritual, etc. Kaz infuses ideas into physics equations in ways that transform an equation into a metaphor, which helps in studying how we construct language and its cultural relationship between the physical and conceptual. Kaz is also interested in exploring archetypes in a contemporary context by expressing his own mythology in relation to his struggle to comprehend his path, in nature's system, which directs and guides his life's moral and ethical decisions."
If you are serious about approaching this work then it is best if you read verbogeometry first.
Mask of God ~ 1990 digital image (Dedicated to Joseph Campbell)
Imagine a number line with the concept of love
at one end and hate at the other end. Substitute that line with
the x-axis of a Cartesian coordinate system. Imagine another number
line with the concept of praise at one end and punishment at the
other end. Substitute that line with the y-axis of the same Cartesian
coordinate system.
This method results in conceptually mapping a two-dimensional
plane with different values of Love, Hate, Praise and Punishment.
Notice the midpoint formula as defined by analytic geometry: x = (x0 + x1)/2 ; y = (y0 + y1)/2
If you substitute Love and Hate in place of the x variables and Praise and Punishment in place of the y variables of the midpoint formula then you conceptually pinpoint "The exact point between love, hate, praise and punishment."
The Exact
Point Between Love and Hate, Praise and Punishment ~ 1999 digital
image
Double
Helix ~ 2000 digital image (What is
the relationship between demons and DNA?)
If one replaces the x, y and z variables in the equation of a sphere with Justice Integrity Nobility one can map a spheroid with levels of virtue. The Virtuous Sphere ~ 2000 digital image for help approaching this piece(part one) click here for part two click here
Maslanka creates a path from confusion to where seven deities meet with 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 1 ~ 2000 digital image This piece uses the analytic geometry distance formula in a seven dimensional space where each dimension is a gradation from confusion to a point where seven deities exist.
1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 1 (detail)
The Power of Confidence ~ 2001 digital image Uses the physics equation for power but in place of the variables Maslanka inserts metaphors to create a symbiosis of mathematical poetry and visual poetry . please see detail below
The Power of Confidence (detail) for help approaching this piece click here
The Beginner's Mind ~ 1980 - 2002 digital image is a Metaphor pointing at the relationship between eastern and western ideas about the perfect circle and its inherent aesthetic beauty. for help approaching this piece click here
Theta ~2002 digital image Maslanka visualizes concepts in space showing the relationship between simple antonyms, complex antonyms and synonyms. Through these spatial relationships, he points at the question of "What is an angle?"
Karmic Influence on the Double Helix digital image ~ 1986 - 2002 Uses the physics equation for Energy as Metaphor for Karmic energy. please see detail below
Karmic Influence on the Double Helix (detail) for help approaching this piece click here
Righteousness ~ 2002 "The display of righteousness is inversely proportional to true righteousness"for help approaching this piece click here
Golden Fear ~ 2004 This piece utilizes one of the equations defining 'phi' (the golden ratio) for help approaching this piece click here
Centered ~ 2005 This piece utilizes the midpoint formula to define a spirtual four-dimensional point for help approaching this piece click here