Brooklyn-based generative artist and designer, Emily Edelman, has been making waves in the art world with her innovative approach to typography and grid systems. Drawing on her background in typography and design of physical spaces, Emily's work challenges the traditional definition of communication and text, transforming letters into captivating art objects. Her unique artistic vision has been showcased on an international stage with exhibitions at Art Blocks, Bright Moments, Verse Works, Artsy, and VellumLA.
With a BFA in Graphic Design from RISD, Emily's artistic journey has been characterized by a profound exploration of typography's visual potential. In her recent long-form generative series, Asemica, released on Art Blocks curated in November 2021, she pushed the boundaries of what typographic art can achieve.
In her latest series, Monospatial, Emily continues to captivate audiences by reimagining typographic letters in new and unexpected ways. The classic grid systems she employs take on a fresh perspective, transcending the mere function of communication to create intricate architectural structures. Despite their transformation, the letters in Monospatial retain a sense of familiarity, enticing viewers to search for recognizable sentiments that sometimes emerge within the abstract forms.
The genesis of Monospatial lies in manually drawn monospace letters, each initially given equal width before undergoing significant warping while preserving essential formal ratios and geometry. This generative system prioritizes form and explores aspects like legibility, recognizability, and pronounceability, blending them harmoniously within the artwork.
Emily's compositions are infused with memories of childhood days spent learning handwriting. Thin ruled paper lines and color palettes reminiscent of print paper, No. 2 pencils, and retro schoolhouse furniture evoke a sense of nostalgia. As children trace and copy capital letters, they come to appreciate the formal beauty of typography, an ancient art form that transcends time.
Pixelated textures further anchor Monospatial in the digital realm while alluding to the analog texture of pencil marks, bridging the gap between the traditional and the contemporary.
By integrating basic shapes like squares and circles, Emily accentuates the underlying geometry of the alphabet, forging connections throughout the compositions. These shapes play with the familiar rigidity of text on a page, at times highlighting it, and at other times, artfully disrupting it.
Emily Edelman's Monospatial is a testament to the power of creativity and imagination in the realm of generative art. With her unique blend of typography, form, and color, Emily creates an immersive experience that invites viewers to rediscover the beauty and artistry inherent in the seemingly ordinary world of text.