We've been looking forward to experiencing Continua by Philadelphia's Katie Murken — we weren't disappointed.

Upon entering the exhibition space you are surrounded by columns of hue. Their scale and saturation create a heightened energy seducing you toward one column, then another. Moving from one column to the next and back again, inspecting the lusciously stacked color-saturated leaves is a intoxicating journey. Their contruction brings to mind a cairn. Something mystical is going on here.

Then we discover a narrow opening diametrically across from the entry point. It pulls us toward it even as the undulating columns of color, like a siren song, begged us to stay.

Walking through the opening a calmness takes over. The gray walls settle the optic nerve. Here, large schematics illustrate the process of casting the die to create this octagonal temple of color.

The schematics reveal their intricacy and craft  — hand-pulled prints with blind embossed spaces open to receive color swatches hand cut from the dyed books. They are a visual cypher of the color themes that define the columns. (A numbered edition is available.)

Looking back through the opening, you realize how the color had  blinded you from discerning the octagonal form.

Murken has a love for books and they are a reoccurring theme or device in her work. Here they are objects dyed and stacked mystically — according to probability or, more so by chance.

Continua has many layers; almost as many as the leaves of the phone books it took to construct it. There is a theology of math, rhythm, and probability  — and an ecstasy of color.

Exhibition
September 2nd – October 7th, 2011.

Opening Reception
September 2nd, 4-9pm.

Closing Reception
October 7th, 4-9pm.

Continua
Gallery 2J
through Oct. 7
at 319 N. 11th Street