Asher Bilu, M-Theory
April 14 – May 6 2012, Exhibition opening event April 14th, 2-5pm
The title refers to a concept in String Theory, which is the mathematical investigation attempting to unite particle and gravitational physics, the meaning of M being undefined, but allusions include 'magic', 'mystery' and 'matrix'.
Asher Bilu’s breathtaking floor installation and wall works selected for his exhibition at Langford120 have been inspired by a schematic drawing of M-Theory seen in Brian Greene’s book The Fabric of the Cosmos (2005).
Asher notes that: ‘The fundamental constituents of matter have been pondered since scientific thought began. The Greeks believed it was the atom, which sufficed for over 200 years, until smaller building blocks – protons, electons etc. - were discovered, and in 1964, the quark was proposed. In the 1980’s, string theory, a mathematical representation where particles are thought of as strings of vibrating energy, led to five different, seemingly unconnected theories, until the 1990’s when M-Theory unified them. Edward Whitten, who first suggested M-Theory in 1995 did not specify what the M stood for, himself suggesting 'magic', 'mystery', or 'matrix', and others have suggested ‘membrane’, ‘mother’ or ‘master’, even ‘missing’ or ‘murky’. M-Theory is not complete, and is still controversial.
Asher Bilu’s breathtaking floor installation and wall works selected for his exhibition at Langford120 have been inspired by a schematic drawing of M-Theory seen in Brian Greene’s book The Fabric of the Cosmos (2005).
Asher notes that: ‘The fundamental constituents of matter have been pondered since scientific thought began. The Greeks believed it was the atom, which sufficed for over 200 years, until smaller building blocks – protons, electons etc. - were discovered, and in 1964, the quark was proposed. In the 1980’s, string theory, a mathematical representation where particles are thought of as strings of vibrating energy, led to five different, seemingly unconnected theories, until the 1990’s when M-Theory unified them. Edward Whitten, who first suggested M-Theory in 1995 did not specify what the M stood for, himself suggesting 'magic', 'mystery', or 'matrix', and others have suggested ‘membrane’, ‘mother’ or ‘master’, even ‘missing’ or ‘murky’. M-Theory is not complete, and is still controversial.
Born in Israel in 1936, Asher Bilu began his career as an artist soon after arriving in Australia in December 1956. His first solo exhibition at Dalgetty Street Gallery in 1959 was quickly followed by two exhibitions at John Reed’s renowned Museum of Modern Art of Australia. Since then he has exhibited widely in Australia and Europe, and has work held by major collecting institutions throughout Australia.
Asher Bilu has established a reputation for creating paintings, sculpture and installations that are fascinating, challenging and extremely moving. His technique changes as he investigates the use of new media, but his work always reflects his ongoing fascination with light, and his love of music and science, especially cosmology. In 1965 he won the Blake Prize for a work entitled I form Light and Create Darkness – Isiah 45:7 which is dominated by a large meteor shape suggesting a dramatic moment in the birth of life out of chaos. His work includes a commission for four paintings for the Concert Hall of the Victorian Arts Centre, and several large installations, such as Amaze (1982),Escape (1992), Sanctum (1997), Explanandum (2002), Mysterium (2003), Heavens (2006) and Invisible (2007).
He has contributed to several films by Director Paul Cox as production designer, including the acclaimed Man of Flowers, and the most recent Human Touch which also features his two installations Amaze and Explanandum.
Asher Bilu has established a reputation for creating paintings, sculpture and installations that are fascinating, challenging and extremely moving. His technique changes as he investigates the use of new media, but his work always reflects his ongoing fascination with light, and his love of music and science, especially cosmology. In 1965 he won the Blake Prize for a work entitled I form Light and Create Darkness – Isiah 45:7 which is dominated by a large meteor shape suggesting a dramatic moment in the birth of life out of chaos. His work includes a commission for four paintings for the Concert Hall of the Victorian Arts Centre, and several large installations, such as Amaze (1982),Escape (1992), Sanctum (1997), Explanandum (2002), Mysterium (2003), Heavens (2006) and Invisible (2007).
He has contributed to several films by Director Paul Cox as production designer, including the acclaimed Man of Flowers, and the most recent Human Touch which also features his two installations Amaze and Explanandum.
Asher Bilu
M-Theory
Installation view
Langford120 2012
M-Theory
Installation view
Langford120 2012
Asher Bilu on ABC Art online, March 4 2011
Produced by Louise Turley
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