Gray Area

In Gray Area, Valerie Green explores the idea of interface as it relates to photography, technology, and generation.

Green created tangible representations of “marching ants,” which she uses in her studio as both a mark-making tool and sculptural device. In their primary form, these black and white dotted lines are a way to designate a digital area where some sort of action will take place - a movement, addition, alteration, or deletion.

Her compositions begin as constructions in front of the lens and continue to take their shape on the screen. Green moves these images fluidly between digital and analog photographic processes, until they find their final form as silver gelatin contact prints that she develops in the darkroom. Through many layers, these works challenge our expectations of actuality and virtuality.

Green considers her elastic approach to image making to be generational. As a self-identified Xennial – the microgeneration of those born between 1977-85, who occupy a space between Gen X and Millennials – Green experienced an analog childhood and came of age concurrently with digital technology.

The artist has made a playlist of songs from this period to accompany the exhibition, titles of which correspond to the titles of her works.