Asta

When I set out to create “Asta,” I found myself entangled in a web of concepts that span both mathematical precision and mythological grandeur. Named after the Old Norse term, “Astridr,” which brings together “as” - the divine - and “fridr” - the beautiful, the name “Asta” embodies the essence of this piece. Like the gods and goddesses of Old Norse lore, “Asta” exists in a realm where contrasting forces of unity and fragmentation, chaos and order, collide and coalesce.

The artwork features a mesmerizing array of concentric circles, meticulously crafted from individual spheres. Each circle holds its own universe, much like the gods held sway over various domains - yet all are part of a larger cosmic pattern. The Norse gods themselves were intricate characters, embodiments of both admirable qualities and human flaws, and this duality resonates in every sphere and every orbit within “Asta.”

The backdrop for this celestial assembly is a distressed canvas. Just as the gods had to deal with the entropy and decay inherent in the cosmic cycle - often represented by the serpent Jormungandr, who bites its own tail to form a circle - the background of “Asta” captures the disarray that is forever intertwined with order. Circles that have lost their center float aimlessly like fallen gods, reflecting the beauty of imperfection and the unpredictability of life.