La Piana has always relied on light and movement as a central component of his work. This is evident in his painterly large-scale abstract photographs. These works consist of complex structures of numerous labyrinths creating whimsical, organic fluid abstractions. He refers to these abstractions as “photonastic” or the response to light in kinetic energy. The interrelatedness of his work is further explored and translated in his “kinetic blow paintings.”

La Piana engages the intimacy of his own breathe to create these unique vernacular organic forms utilizing shellac based inks, dyes, and acrylics.

La Piana refers to kinetic energy as a means of defining and constructing his process. Influenced by the kinetic movement artists, La Piana resonates with the kinetic principles of Laszlo Moholy-Nagy, Harmut Bohm, and Jean Tinguely. The dynamic gravitational interaction and suspension that exists in La Piana’s paintings, sculptures and mobiles remind us of the artists’ dedication to the metamorphosis that transcends mediums.

In La Piana’s most recent work he introduces his “Refraction” and “Text” Projects.

Mutations, Extension of itself, Genetic Metastasis, Shadow of itself are all words that describe his transformative process, which characterize the Refraction series.

The term refraction came to life as a reincarnation of individualized randomly selected kinetic abstracts that come from La Piana’s paintings. Just as a force of random movement that created its initial life…. The refraction abstracts are disguised as another mutant form. Consider a shadow of light beginning its journey rotating around an object and as it continues to move a new form comes to life. Gradations of light shadows which form metempsychosis of new life. This is Refraction. The interrelatedness of La Piana’s work continues to show the viewer its kinship as evidenced in his earliest photonastic work. This time however he has inverted his process.

The Text Project also reflects the same procedure but now deconstructing dialogue.

Perception over reality… Breaking it down, nuances of other intentions or meanings. The quest and search for the true meanings. Very much like breaking down the artists work relative to composition and abstraction…. La Piana’s desire to explore and find the pure truth or purest form of original life and then bringing it to life again in another form or medium is his objective.

A rebirth. Words have life and meaning and therefore can be interpreted or communicated in many different ways. The world is confused at the moment. Uncertain of the governments intentions around what they say or mean, as is the media in trying to “break down” interpret what true meaning is…also we live in a generation of non-conventional means of communicating. Emailing…texting…do we use these forms of communication as a membrane of protection from true intimacy…do we feel more confident or safe? …Are we more likely to say what is truly on our minds emotionally, sexually or otherwise?

Perception or reality… True or false… What is your intention? What are you trying to say? What do you need? What do you want? Fantasy over reality. . Money, sex, love, hate, secrets, what are you into? These are some of the questions La Piana’s text project dissects. The explorations of truth, perception, reality or fantasy are all key components. Ultimately, La Piana’s focus and motivation comes from finding absolute truth about the origin of life itself and life thereafter.

Courtesy of the artist.