Earth #01

The 64+ project presents a study of visual images of natural elements — 4 formative elements of our nature. 4 elements, 4 states of matter, giving 64 in a cube, is a super—perfect number in mathematics, the sum of which, in turn, gives one, a symbol of the primordial unity and the beginning of all things. The endless expanse and depths of the Indian Ocean or the saturated, thin air of the atmosphere — photographs taken by Kustov in different parts of the world become the subject of research and working material for a new project.

Fragments of photographs are carefully compiled into abstract compositions, forming, as in a kaleidoscope, random shapes and outlines, endlessly reflected in each other. The artist uses the geometry of a polyhedron as the basis of the composition. In the final stage, the artist applies a magic square of the eighth order to each photographic image on the reverse side (an eight-by-eight mathematical table with 260 numbers vertically, horizontally, and diagonally). Thus, each work carries a specific program that is closed to the viewer.