Melbourne, 2017

Guidance

STATION Australia, April 22 - May 13

Guidance marks the beginning of Michael Staniak’s deeper investigation of the natural environment as seen through a digital lens. In particularly, Staniak looks at the connection between ways in which we view our environment and artwork through screen-based technologies.

His casting compound paintings, titled HDF_, reference satellite imaging of uninhabited landscapes. This particular series was highly influenced by his travels through the deserts of California, Nevada and Arizona in 2016. Similarities between the physically unexplored landscape, our mediated images of satellite observations of the Earth and Staniak’s casting compound textures are highlighted throughout this exhibition. The addition of a new series of hand-welded metal sculptures, serves as visual interruptions in the gallery space, mimicking the communication tools and towers Staniak observed scattered through his exploration of the desert.