octobrium transforms old master paintings into new pieces of art open for interpretation

‘paintings from an alternative position in time’ is a series of new artworks created from old paintings by the artist octobrium. the process of creating the work begins by selecting an image of an old master painting to form the basis of the new artwork. the perspective framework of the composition is temporarily reconstructed. the artist locates the vanishing points and marks the position of the horizon. elements of the scene are then digitally manipulated by sampling relevant areas of the original image.

after ‘the adoration of the kings’, jan gossaert

images courtesy of octobrium

octobrium gives careful thought to the content and appearance of the resulting modified painting. his primary concern is a desire to emulate the character and mood of the original painting, whilst creating a new work that is informed by and shares a connection with the original one.

after ‘saint jerome in his study’, antonello da messina

in this series ‘paintings from an alternative position in time’, he explores the notion of time through the creation of five new pieces that both reinterpret and complement the old master paintings from which they derive. the source of the material that forms the basis of these works is the collection of the national gallery, london. to him, paintings are a snapshot in time. a fleeting instance where the artist presents the viewer with a carefully choreographed static composition. a message is conveyed visually, through the medium of paint.

after ‘four scenes from the early life of saint zenobius’, sandro botticelli

octobrium invites the audience to consider the moment when the actors have departed and to reflect upon the landscapes and structures that form the backdrop to the composition. in the absence of representations of living characters that had previously inhabited the scene, viewers are compelled to relate to the picture from solely their own perspective and thought; and the picture then assumes a different meaning. a meaning informed by our memory of the original painting.

after ‘the birth of the virgin’, master of the osservanza

after ‘the virgin and child with saints and angels in a garden’, follower of quinten massys

project info:

name: paintings from an alternative position in time

artist: octobrium

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: yasmina karam | designboom