The Prints of Eric Avery and the Meditation of the Overwhelming

Together. 

Two prints hang side by side in a small gallery room. They either greet you as you walk in—the first rotation along the wall—or they fall into the blind spot abyss of the doorway.

Initially, the prints seem connected only by their subject matter. Two depictions of AIDS in the Block Museum’s exhibition “Keep the Shadow, Ere the Substance Fade: Mourning during the AIDS Crisis.” But over time you realize they are in constant conversation with one another—in a silent partnership balancing scales rather than creating something too heavy. Imagined by the same artist, the prints are two products of an experience. Parsed out for clarity, the different manifestations speak to the personal and impersonal sides of the AIDS pandemic.

Separate.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

The first print Emerging Infectious Diseases (1999) has thick bold lines holding in washes of bright red and pops of an icy blue over a bright white backdrop. The colors bring life into the largely black and white exhibition and assert itself despite the proximity to the door—eliciting an interested gaze through its saturation alone. A single man to the right of the frame breaks the stark color scheme with his sickly skin tinged yellow by Hepatitis C. His disease is declared in all capital letters “HCV” on his headboard, his hands in loose prayer, his yellow face washed in faint blue and red.

As featured in other exhibition artworks, the print’s red recalls blood with powerful severity. However, the red is not only for wounds and fatalities. It’s barely on the patients at all. Rather, red colors the doctors’ faces, signaling a distinctly human issue—a connectedness, an empathy, a risk. The red could mean vitality or infection, nerves or humility, life or death. The unconventional use of the color only adds to the mysteries of the disease and the uncomfortableness with the unknown. While the print situates AIDS among other infectious diseases, no veil is lifted, no questions are answered.

Life Cycle of H.I.V.

Life Cycle of H.I.V.

Next to Emerging Infectious Diseases hangs Eric Avery’s second print, Life Cycle of H.I.V. (1999) The long rectangular print is a weathered beige stamped in opaque black ink. The color of the paper has an archival effect, one that evokes the sense of discovery inherent in a historical artifact rather than a piece of contemporary art. Avery channels a linguistic power, supported by the graphic novel look of his print. Bold illustrations of biological models and urban landscapes challenge all notions of scale and chronology. Negative space is rare, often infiltrated by dashes and lines contouring for a sense of depth in the flattest possible form.

The narrative element of the print is full of chutes and ladders. An announcement of “ENTRY” appears to be an explicit starting point, but once your eye completes the consumption you are led into a choose-your-own-adventure journey of tangled facts and figures. The maze is accented by the power of choice. If you choose to stick with only words, you lose the tiny lab-coated man—perhaps Avery himself since he was a medical doctor—with arms outstretched in guidance to the next form, or in surrender, or in glee. If you choose to follow the graphics alone, you undermine the clinicalness of Avery’s cyclical representation. Avery leaves Easter egg after Easter egg in each moment of his print only adding to the subjectivity of the piece’s impression and overall disorientation.

Detail of Man Wearing White

Detail of Man      Wearing White

Together.

While both prints contextualize the disease in imaginative depth, their true emotional resonance is not in their depictions but instead in their compositions. There is a winding path of scale and story in the prints, a constant amount of zooming in and out required for a proper digestion of the pieces. An abundance of purposeful angles and curves do not merely form shapes, but act as the flippers of a pinball machine rapidly directing the eye from target to target, occasionally resting on an indecipherable symbol or image you are urged to confront. The cycle illustrated in Life Cycle of H.I.V. is not a clean cycle from a text book, it’s barely cyclical at all by sight alone. Emerging Infectious Diseases is not one hospital scene but a representation of all rooms of all wings in all hospitals. Nothing is certain, nothing is simple, nothing is easy about Avery’s compositions.

Separate.

Detail of Crows Flying in the Hospital Window

Detail of Crows Flying in   the Hospital Window

Sometimes when looking at Emerging Infectious Diseases your eyes land on the stylized corpse of a woman as she is being zipped into a body bag. Both of the assisting nurses stare emotionless into your eyes out of the print, their pupils only suggested by shadows. They are red and wrinkled ironically becoming caricatures of “ill.” Sometimes your eyes zig zag and land on the one of the nurses’ scrub tops. Its bright red flowers’ round and organic shapes are a life form. The one sign of unthreatened life, outnumbered by the looming crows in the patients’ room and hospital windows, but more noticeable, more beautiful, more powerful.

Detail of Figures

Detail of Figures

The journey of Life Cycle of H.I.V. settles your gaze on the recipe for the HIV cocktail dosages or loses you in the detailed landscaping of the frame. Turrets and arches contrast the dark distressed bricks in the foreground detaching any specificity the viewer might search for. There is no reason to include a setting for the linguistic, scientific illustration yet Avery included them all. Tiny bodies in the landscape are erased without enough contrast or jump out in their black matte-ness reminding the viewer of the flat crows in Emerging Infectious Diseases. Sometimes your eyes settle on the artist’s handwriting toward the edge of the paper.

Together.

Eric Avery’s print compositions travel through all dimensions, planes, and facets of H.I.V. and AIDS. As the prints unfurl, Avery forces the viewer to confront the personified disease or the impersonal deaths mainly through their own wealth of experience and knowledge. As saturated with shapes, colors, words, diagrams, and symbols the prints may be, Avery still manages to leave a tiny pocket for the viewer to fill—completing the piece through their impressions, through what they notice. In the harmony of color and lines in Emerging Infectious Diseases or Life Cycle of H.I.V ‘s warm dissonant splays of black ink and aged paper, Avery creates a puzzling moment of meditation. In the time of urgent research, frantic searching, and ever generating questions, Avery successfully creates a welcoming complexity. The experience of being still rather than being lost.

 

 

 

58,103 Comments

  • Galaxyslot commented on May 27, 2024 Reply

    representations of their products before they are manufactured. เว็บสล็อตออโต้

  • Galaxyslot commented on May 27, 2024 Reply
  • VVJL commented on May 27, 2024 Reply

    Surprisingly nice article….Hope you try to visit my site now, you can play and win cash and exciting prizes by visiting https://www.7xm55.app/register?affiliateCode=vvikm

  • Colorplus commented on May 27, 2024 Reply

    Thanks for this considerable article .. Now, you can play and win cash and exciting prizes by visiting https://g60bn.7xm55.app/register.html

  • Ninja commented on May 27, 2024 Reply

    Duogeeks: Your Abbotsford Web Design Company. Crafting bespoke online solutions tailored to your brand’s needs and aspirations.
    Abbotsford Web Design

  • jack commented on May 27, 2024 Reply

    Wow that was unusual. I just wrote an very long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t appear. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyway, just wanted to say fantastic blog! EPL중계 토트넘 손흥민 전 경기 보러가기 – 헐크티비

  • Bookkeeping commented on May 27, 2024 Reply

    bookkeeping journal entries examples include recording sales, expenses, purchases, payments to suppliers, and depreciation. These entries ensure accurate financial tracking and reporting for business transactions.

  • Abbotsford web design commented on May 27, 2024 Reply

    Duogeeks: Your Abbotsford Web Design Company. Crafting bespoke online solutions tailored to your brand’s needs and aspirations.
    Abbotsford Web Design

  • Elizabeth commented on May 27, 2024 Reply

    2RF

  • ZLP1000 Suspended Platform commented on May 27, 2024 Reply

    ZLP1000 Suspended Platform – ZLP800 Suspended Platform. Get the job done efficiently with a suspended platform lift.

    ZLP1000 Suspended Platform

  • ZLP1000 Suspended Platform commented on May 27, 2024 Reply

    ZLP1000 Suspended Platform – ZLP800 Suspended Platform. Get the job done efficiently with a suspended platform lift.
    ZLP1000 Suspended Platform

  • agen x500 commented on May 27, 2024 Reply

    Raih kemenangan besar dengan agen x500 permainan yang menawarkan banyak bonus

  • briansclub.cm commented on May 27, 2024 Reply

    It serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges in combating cybercrime and protecting personal data. briansclub.cm

  • daftar x500 commented on May 27, 2024 Reply

    Nikmati permainan daftar x500 dan raih jackpot besar dengan mudah

  • Hareem commented on May 27, 2024 Reply

    Multiwood’s customer service and office furniture are both fantastic. I ordered office chairs for our Lahore office, and they were delivered quickly and in perfect condition. The chairs are ergonomic and very comfortable, making a huge difference for our team. If you need office furniture near me or anywhere in Pakistan, Multiwood is the best option.
    For More Details: https://b.cari.com.my/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=5349218&fromuid=3157511

  • chiller repair service commented on May 27, 2024 Reply

    Whether you’re using your chiller to cool the air or to cool some equipment, it is surely vital to the successful operation of your business. A malfunction could shut work down entirely or raise your energy bills. In any case, at US Comfort we believe that you should never accept anything less than perfection from your equipment. Call us in on the job and we’ll make sure your chiller is running as close to perfect as humanly possible. We specialize in Chiller service repair, providing top-notch chiller repair service in Los Angeles and beyond. Trust US Comfort for all your chiller repair service needs.

    Chiller Services

  • WOWJILI commented on May 27, 2024 Reply

    
I adore how you simplify difficult subjects into easily understood pieces. Continue the fantastic effort! 
This post is revolutionary! I appreciate you giving such practical and helpful advise. MUST TRY1 https://pinaskohan.com/wowjili/

  • bitcoin bank breaker commented on May 27, 2024 Reply

    Are you ready to register with Bitcoin Bank Breaker and get connected with an education firm teaching about oil investments? This process is so quick that you can complete it in just seconds. bitcoin bank breaker

  • UPSers commented on May 27, 2024 Reply

    I am constantly thought about this, thank you for putting up. canned tuna pizza

  • irin commented on May 27, 2024 Reply

    Slot Games Find the newest sites that offer direct web slots and online Casio. along with online football betting You will get the best betting experience here!
    ✨ ⭐️

    สล็อต 66

  • pahala4d commented on May 27, 2024 Reply

    Pahala4d Top Login Games Online Fast Super Jackpot

  • pahala4d commented on May 27, 2024 Reply

    PAHALA4D > Bandar Toto Discount Terbesar Auto Mexwin

  • pahala4d commented on May 27, 2024 Reply

    PAHALA4D – Situs Online Slot Tergacor Tahun 2024

  • pahala4d commented on May 27, 2024 Reply

    PAHALA4D – Situs Terlengkap Dengan Game Terbaik 2024

  • Adele Reyes commented on May 27, 2024 Reply

    Visit Diskarte Panalo https://diskartepanalo.com/ to explore comprehensive reviews and strategies for online games. Learn effective ways to win and earn bonuses. The site offers expert tips, game updates, and community feedback to enhance your gaming experience. Register now for exclusive content and insights.

  • irin commented on May 27, 2024 Reply

    Slot Games Find the newest sites that offer direct web slots and online Casio. along with online football betting You will get the best betting experience here!
    ✨ ⭐️

    สล็อต เว็บตรง

  • 출장마사지 commented on May 27, 2024 Reply

    출장마사지는 편안한 환경에서 집중적인 마사지를 제공하는 서비스입니다. 편안하게 집이나 호텔에서 받을 수 있는 서비스로, 여행 중이거나 바쁜 일정으로 인해 마사지샵을 방문할 시간이 없는 분들에게 이상적입니다. 출장안마 서비스는 전문적인 마사지 기술과 탁월한 고객 서비스를 제공하여 개인의 건강과 웰빙을 향상시킵니다.https://msgstar1.com/

  • Fishersonsjewelers.com commented on May 27, 2024 Reply

    An awesome list. Thanks for sharing! Come visit my blog too at https://fishersonsjewelers.com/

  • Huzii ex commented on May 27, 2024 Reply

    For the reason that web-site, you’ll see your bank account, evoke that will plod thru the fact that pieces of information. 68gamebai

  • Manashi roy commented on May 27, 2024 Reply

    I’m Komal Kaur, an escort that loves to party hard and never says no to a good time with guys who can make me feel like a rock star again.
    Jaipur Escort Service

  • Huzii ex commented on May 27, 2024 Reply

    We these days suggestion it can be a concept to share with you could everybody other than them seemed to be living with issue research whilst My best online business may be a piece undecided evidently was initially allowed to in good shape bands and artists apart from is about utilizing herein. 68 game bài

  • Huzii ex commented on May 28, 2024 Reply

    This is very important, whilst it’s crucial for you to assistance please click the fact that page connection: 68 game bài

  • Huzii ex commented on May 28, 2024 Reply

    When using the page you’ll see exact same text messages, build for every just imagine. 68 game bài

  • TRP Roller Chains RS 60-2 commented on May 28, 2024 Reply
  • Huzii ex commented on May 28, 2024 Reply

    Lake in a similar fashion had written a page running a exact same subject can usually get the thing regarding build for every just imagine. 68gamebai

  • Cổng Game SunWin commented on May 28, 2024 Reply

    SunWin game bài online đổi thưởng uy tín nhất, chơi game đổi thưởng thật với những game tiến lên, Phỏm, Tài xỉu, tặng code hàng ngày cho người chơi mới.#sunwintour

  • TRP Roller Chains RS 40-2 commented on May 28, 2024 Reply
  • 해피툰 주소안내 commented on May 28, 2024 Reply

    HappyToon 해피툰 주소안내 : which has the largest number of webtoons currently being serialized. 해피툰 주소안내

  • Topbandar commented on May 28, 2024 Reply

    Topbandar adalah daftar situs judi slot online gacor gampang menang server Thailand resmi akun vip tahun 2024. *Topbandar*

  • 해피툰 주소안내 commented on May 28, 2024 Reply

    HappyToon 해피툰 주소안내 : which has the largest number of webtoons currently being serialized. 해피툰 주소안내

  • TRP Roller Chains RS 50-2 commented on May 28, 2024 Reply
  • TRP Roller Chains RS 140-2 commented on May 28, 2024 Reply
  • TRP Roller Chains RS 80-2 commented on May 28, 2024 Reply
  • Rafigaming commented on May 28, 2024 Reply
  • 토토사이트 commented on May 28, 2024 Reply

    After reading your article, I gained confidence. Thank you for giving me confidence. I hope you gain confidence after reading my writing.
    토토사이트

  • TRP Roller Chains RS 35-2 commented on May 28, 2024 Reply
  • 슬롯커뮤니티 commented on May 28, 2024 Reply

    I hope you have a good day today! I enjoyed your blog. I hope you come visit my blog too. leave your address
    슬롯커뮤니티

  • Rafigaming commented on May 28, 2024 Reply
  • ASTM B166 Monel 400 Pernos Proveedor in Spain commented on May 28, 2024 Reply
  • fuad commented on May 28, 2024 Reply

    Our website offers meticulously curated content, insightful information on the latest trends and developments in their field perkasa99

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *