Letters from the Ocean — HRATCH ARBACH

Is a series of drawings that I’m currently working on imaginary scenes inspired by the ocean wonderland. These precise hand-drawn blue lines are generated through an immersive meditative process that connects the micro process of the mind that rhymes with the dynamic ecosystem of the ocean at risk from human obliviousness.

Letters from the Ocean 2021-present
US Lettre, ink on papre

Manhattan Park pool project

Given Roosevelt Island’s specific location in a tidal estuary and its fragile relation with the Atlantic Ocean, it was the perfect place to locate this installation. For the Manhattan Park pool mural, I presented a colored version of teh Lettre #7.
At the first, my plan was to scale my paper illustration to t the dimensions of the pool. But once there, I slowly began to trust the intuitive ocean-like movement of the brush, and let go of the original blueprint. In French we call it “Lâcher-prise”. Thus, every brush stroke can be seen when examined up closely, but becomes an integral part of the whole ecosystem when seen from above - water and waves of the mind, body and sea.

photo by Max Touhey

photo by Max Touhey

photo by Max Touhey

Manhattan Park pool project
Large scale mural, Roosvelt Island, New York
Lettre #7 (colored version)
Epoxy paint on concret
1000m²

Letter #7 colored version 2022
US Lettre, ink on papre

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