Gordon Hicks Organelles 1999 steel, rubber, custom electronics
(each ‘organelle’ is approx 10 in. across)


Gordon Hicks Organellessteel, rubber, custom electronics
(each ‘organelle’ is approx 10 in. across)


Gordon Hicks SCHEMA (detail) 2002 worked steel, coloured pencil on prepared wall
(8 ft. x 23 ft.)


Gordon Hicks Large Field 2005 acrylic sheet, aluminum paint, fluorescent
light fixtures (7 panels, 30 x 30 in. each)


Gordon Hicks Untitled (loop_01) (video stills, installation view) 2005
projected DVD image (2 ft. diameter) quicktime loop

I loved Gordon's 1999 show, it was the first time I saw his work. (Though I am ashamed to admit that I thought he had made up the word organelle) I found the yellowish surgical tubing really creepy and funny at the same time.
- L.M. 12-19-2006 7:38 pm

I don't think I saw "Organelles" but I did see "Wee Beasties" (not pictured here). It was funny and creepy too. Also not pictured here is his installation of looping equation sculptures, "Three Equations Describe the World," which I adore so much that I don't like looking at it in reproduction.
- sally mckay 12-19-2006 7:44 pm

The Organelles remind me of Tom Dean's sculptural work circa the late eighties that has a similar title:
http://www.ccca.ca/artists/image.html?languagePref=en&url=d/images/big/d/dean/dean095.jpg&cright=&mkey=20894&link_id=

- J@simpleposie (guest) 12-19-2006 9:25 pm

I can see a visual resemblence, but there's lots of kinetic/sound stuff happening with Hicks' work that is not always apparent from this still documentation. Here is Gordon's description of his Organelles:

As an ensemble the Organelles generate a collective tapping rhythm which is somewhat chantlike. Then, triggered by external or internal influences a single organelle will momentarily break away from the collective and assert an individual rhythm. The ensemble now attempts to reestablish the collective rhythm, resulting in all sorts of unprogrammed behaviour: rising and falling; clattering and chattering; first frantic then plunging to a standstill.

Wow, Gordon's work rocks. Untitled Loop 1 is great. Any more details on those equations pieces?
- Jeffrey Matt (guest) 12-20-2006 6:38 am

Hi Jeffrey!


Three Equations Describe The World 2004 steel wire, small incandescent lights
(3 parts, 10 in. diameter each)

From Gordon Hicks' description:

"A steel line is articulated through three-dimensional space. Small incandescent lights project a shadow form onto the wall. The closed loop in the sculptural form makes reference to the structural completeness of mathematical equations."

Cool. Thanks Sally. These are the pieces he showed at the WeeWorks show a couple years ago right? You're right, the installation shots don't do it justice. Lovely work.
- Jeffrey Matt (guest) 12-20-2006 4:53 pm