This collection of illustrations was inspired by modern architecture where buildings seem to push boundaries of what is possible and appear to be a collection of fragmented structures with distorted shapes arranged in haphazard and unpredictable ways. The result creates an impression of instability. To me, they represent a calculated balance of ordered chaos and geometry that culminates in beauty and a sense of intangible harmony as if frozen in time at the critical moment of maximum aesthetic appeal and impending structural collapse. I find it truly fascinating how such structures could have been visualized and conceived in their final form and then, somehow, be constructed to be architecturally sound but also remain true to the architect’s original concept. I see these engaging structures as incredible accomplishments that are simply genius…magical architecture.

These digital illustrations are about grand expanses and abstractions. My goal was to incorporate a feeling of grandeur without any discernible sense of scale. I attempted to create an expansive quality to draw the viewer into the scene through the use of overlapping forms, the incorporation of abstract shapes and by the leveraging of disparate perspectives and lighting that contribute to a disorienting sense of disarray.

Though these spaces appear to be comprised of “fragments of a whole”, they manage to maintain a cohesive quality despite some inherent lack of adherence to visual perspective and design conventions. I found their creation to be both technically and visually challenging but also exhilarating. It was a fresh approach for me as an artist.

These architectural illustrations are available in an archival pigment print limited edition series of three. All prints are numbered, signed and come with a certificate of authenticity. Only one edition of prints will be made of these images.

Individual works priced at $750 CAD unless otherwise noted.

Michael Christidis