My Search For Jesus
44x48in (112x122cm); edition of 6 + 2 AP Archival pigment print on Hahnemuhle Photo Rag Pearl 320gsm cotton fiber paper Signed and numbered by the artist on verso This series is inspired by the phenomena of Pareidolia. Pareidolia describes the psychological phenomenon in which vague and random stimuli of patterns are perceived as significant. Wherever we look in the world, we find ourselves interpreting random imagery. This action stems from psychological adeptness. It is not like a kind of malfunction, but rather a peculiarity of the brain. To discuss the appearance of such imagery is in a way beyond reason. It is all haphazard, though our mind prefers to settle with the probability of any given situation. Our experiences have led us into a certain way of being. The matter of that being guides us to have a certain focus. The focus is our goals. To achieve these goals gives any given person a peculiar uplift, making them feel better about themselves. The subject of pareidolia brings forward an existence of significance. The goals in this matter are that the faithful are having a personal experience with a miracle or coming in personal contact with their god. Or it can be the belief that one has discovered something unique. Or at last it can be the thrill and devotion of being inspired to the creation of original art. In the achievement of this goals, there is no reason to go back and evaluate how one got there. A person is comfortable enough to be in the position of satisfaction. This gives that person no reason to question his or her own visual powers or cognitive abilities. One is capable of attending to our abilities, however, it seems that our attention is limited. It is as if our experience have given us a certain “scent” that we take notice to. We see only where it leads us, and we won’t step out from our familiar cultural path, and let ourselves instead be directed to our goals, which are of significance to us. Why it is so, is a question complex to unravel. We humans seem to have the need to take notice to the whole imagery, rather than paying attention to the details. People don’t just take the things they are seeing simply as a product of pattern-recognition feature of their brain. It is puzzling especially considering how mundane and common the phenomenon is. But maybe the mundane explanation means they’ve had a mundane experience. Pareidolia can therefore be a cause for them to experience something extraordinary, and make them feel special.
