The swirling blue and white colors of the earth
as photographed by an astronaut was once described as a blue marble.
This visual cue became a source of inspiration for a series of works
about the planets and the deep spaces of the universe.
In the Beginning is a series of seven sequential pieces
meant to be shown as a single work.
Each unit is mounted in a simple black frame…seventeen inches square.
This series represents the seven days of creation as described
in the spare but beautiful Hebrew poetry of the first chapter of Genesis.
In keeping with the simple rhetoric of Genesis,
I interpreted the events in an abstract manner with different fabrics in each unit,
but maintained the unity and rhythm of the poetry by repeating basic elements:
the circles and the slashing vertical line separating day and night,
with a bit of variation to keep it lively.
Joanne Alberda 