BLINK/BLANK is a black and white artwork. Centered on the rich black background are two square grids of white letters, one grid hovering above the other. The grids are comprised of handwritten capital letters. The letters in the upper grid spell the word BLINK in varying arrangements of the five letters. The letters in the lower grid spell the word BLANK in varying arrangements of the five letters.

BLINK/BLANK

  • Joel Swanson
Year2019
Dimensions12 × 9 inches (30.5 cm × 22.9 cm)
MediumScratchboard
CreditCourtesy of the artist.

A blink is a pattern, a sequence that holds meaning. Just as presence requires absence, the blink requires the blank. Absence is required as the antithesis of presence; it gives presence its form. Similarly, the blink requires the pause, gap, or lacuna.