CAMERA OBSCURA 1959

Bruce Conner made this "Camera Obscura" out of mixed media construction. I'm really drawn to how he layered up the materials. It's not painting, but I can definitely relate to the trial-and-error process that seems to be at play. The surface of the work is murky, almost like looking through a dirty window. I bet Conner was experimenting with transparency and opacity, letting certain elements peek through while obscuring others. I imagine him shuffling things around, intuitively responding to what he's already done. That bold red touch feels like a jolt, a deliberate move to disrupt the subdued tones. There's a conversation happening between the materials. It's all about feeling your way through, trusting the process, and not being afraid to make mistakes, just like us painters do. It's like he's inviting us to slow down and really see.