A Dance of Time and Space

My work is often a reflection of the memories and experiences that have shaped me. One recurring motif in my drawings is the image of vertical sticks standing upright, casting shadows that dance across the canvas. These shadows evoke vivid recollections of my childhood spent at our weekend house just south of Mexico City and on camping trips to the Mexican coast. 

The house is nestled in a region where the climate tends to be dry; there, the trunks of trees stand tall and proud, each projecting the same elongated shadow as the sun dips low in the sky. Amidst this serene backdrop I often found myself contemplating the profound interplay of shadows and space. 

Similarly, memories of camping trips with my father to the ocean flood my mind when I sketch these vertical forms. Along those sandy shores, forgotten dock piles projected enduring shadows. The consistent patterns of these shadows deeply influenced my artistic sensibilities. I’ve always marveled at how shadows can convey the essence of an object without directly revealing it. 

As I reflect on these experiences, my drawings create a space around the shadows, where shadows can bend and change. The unseen space persists, but through the intricate dance of shadows, the environment is brought to light, providing fleeting glimpses into the broader context. 

Shadows not only mark the passage of time, shifting and elongating as the day progresses, but they also define the spatial relationships between objects. I am struck by the profound way in which they intersect with our perception of space and time. My drawings shape a realm where shadows mold the form, bending to reveal walls and expanding infinitely into voids. They become the storytellers of space, guiding understanding of the surrounding context through their dynamic dance. 

Eric Delitzsch is a project designer at Clayton Korte in Austin. He was born and raised in Mexico City. More of his artwork can be found at ericdelitzsch.com/art/sketches.