The ‘blot’ series 2003-

Fujichrome Lightjet photographs, 80″ x 26.5″
Edition of 10

The Victoria and Albert Museum, London commissioned the first works as a response to the British Watercolour Collection. The ‘blot’ series takes its name from the process of using a ‘blot’ or random instant mark as the source of inspiration. The works feature locations that combine reflecting pools and natural sublime landscapes with icons of the industrial or technological sublime (aggregate works, power stations and other ‘cathedrals’ of industry).

The National Collection, Arts Council England. British Airways. Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom

Each photograph was shot on film, using a traditional 6:17 Fuji panoramic camera. The digital element of the series is derived from fractal mathematics that generates the trees and other wire-line forms seen in these images. Small changes to random numbers in mathematical equations result in huge shifts in the final form of the works.

The mathematical code was written by one of Prophet’s long-term collaborators, Gordon Selley. Different 3D structures are produced each time the bespoke program runs. Prophet responds to the images and the code is altered accordingly to produce different outputs.

CREDITS Commissioned by Digital Responses for The Victoria and Albert Museum. Curated by Paul Coldwell
Made with support from: Arts and Humanities Research Council; University of Westminster