After Rembrandt, 2006, 5024 spools of thread and optical glass, h 96" w 100" d 60", edition 1 of 3

Interested in the links between art, science, and technology through the ages, New York artist Devorah Sperber deconstructs familiar images to address the way the brain processes visual information versus the way we think we see. "As a visual artist," she says, "I cannot think of a topic more stimulating and yet so basic than the act of seeing - how the human brain makes sense of the visual world."

Using ordinary spools of thread, Sperber creates pixilated, inverted images of historic masterpieces, which appear as colorful abstractions to the naked eye. The thread spools are hung upside down in reference to the fact that the lens of the eye projects an inverted image of the world onto the retina, which is corrected by the brain. A clear acrylic sphere, positioned in front of each work, functions like the human eye and brain, not only inverting but also focusing the image so that it appears as a sharp, faithful, right-side-up reproduction of the famous painting.

The original exhibition was co-organized by The Brooklyn Museum and will travel to MASS MoCA, Boise Art Museum, and Knoxville Museum of Art.

December 7-January 31st, Bentley Projects, Phoenix
Opening Reception: Friday, December 7th, 6-9pm