Eric Cahan’s photographs are defined by several focal points, among them: light, specifically the light generated by the sun at sunrise and sunset; science; nature; and the ephemeral quality of memories. These considerations are in play when Cahan heads out at a carefully chosen hour of the morning or evening to begin creating one of his ethereal works of art, which have been described by critics as “beguiling,” “expansive,” and “simultaneously surreal and hyper-real.”
Influenced by both the Impressionists’ depiction of natural light and its ever-changing qualities, as well as Color Theory, Cahan creates his minimalist yet vibrant images by holding colored resin filters in front of the camera. “A lot of people ask me if this is all done in Photoshop,” Cahan has said. “In fact, I will only tone photos to match the paper type and, in some cases, add a bit of color curves.”
Cahan made most of the work for his recent project, Sky Series, during his extensive travels. Each photograph and sculpture is titled with the time and location of its conception. In this way, Cahan catalogues his visual journal and his viewers see in his work his unique interpretation of a specific time and place. His polyester resin sculptures, made from the same surface material as surfboards and sailboards, can be considered three-dimensional interpretations of his photographs. Similarly meant to capture and manipulate light, they conjure the sensation of looking into the sky or the ocean. “My mission is to capture light,” Cahan has said. “Light is the true subject of this series: its constant mystery, the way it shifts and colors everything around it in nature.”
Influenced by both the Impressionists’ depiction of natural light and its ever-changing qualities, as well as Color Theory, Cahan creates his minimalist yet vibrant images by holding colored resin filters in front of the camera. “A lot of people ask me if this is all done in Photoshop,” Cahan has said. “In fact, I will only tone photos to match the paper type and, in some cases, add a bit of color curves.”
Cahan made most of the work for his recent project, Sky Series, during his extensive travels. Each photograph and sculpture is titled with the time and location of its conception. In this way, Cahan catalogues his visual journal and his viewers see in his work his unique interpretation of a specific time and place. His polyester resin sculptures, made from the same surface material as surfboards and sailboards, can be considered three-dimensional interpretations of his photographs. Similarly meant to capture and manipulate light, they conjure the sensation of looking into the sky or the ocean. “My mission is to capture light,” Cahan has said. “Light is the true subject of this series: its constant mystery, the way it shifts and colors everything around it in nature.”