Icons and Algorithms

Konstantin Zlatev, San Francisco architect and iconographer, talks about his search for the essence of the icon. He uses a computer to break down the image in order to discover its fundamental, interior nature.

This entry was posted on Friday, November 23rd, 2012 at 6:51 am. It is filed under General, Icons, People, Video and tagged with , , , . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.

6 Responses to “Icons and Algorithms”

  1. barbara lindstrom says:
    November 24, 2012 at 4:58 am

    Very interesting. Mixing personal vision or approach with something iconic to make discoveries. If I understand it.

    Made me think about how I see an icon. There probably is some process of recognition that comes in layers. How much that is attached to learned symbolism and feelings is hard to tell but it’s certainly interesting to attempt to understand the dynamics of iconographic work.

    I just saw some video of Pope John Paul II last night. He raised a large eucharist during a Christmas celebration, and that very act was transformative. Somehow I make a connection to what Konstantin is saying here, but I don’t know how.

    Great work, as always, thank you.

    Barbara

  2. Alexandra Dickerman says:
    November 24, 2012 at 7:15 am

    Thanks for sharing your thoughts Barbara. I think this is an interesting voice in the collection of ideas about icons — is there anything inherently meaningful in the form? Maybe the same goes for rituals, like the Eucharist you saw? XX

  3. Jane Allewelt says:
    November 24, 2012 at 7:10 pm

    I think questioning the meaning of icons, is like asking GOD, WHY HAVE YOU CREATED US, AND FOR WHAT EVER FOR?

    GOD CREATED US BECAUSE OF HIS ABUNDENT LOVE, AND ALL TO SUPPORT US HERE ON EARTH,UNTILL HE CALLS US HOME TO BE IN HEAVEN WITH HIM, AS IT IS IN THE BOOK OF REVALATIONS.

    JANE

  4. Alexandra Dickerman says:
    November 24, 2012 at 7:17 pm

    Thanks for your comments, Jane.

    Still, I think his computer experiment and his questions in general, are a reflection of his earnest seeking.

  5. Carol Susan says:
    January 6, 2013 at 2:50 pm

    My favorite in this category. Fascinating, with a computer, to reach the point when subtracting doesn’t change the icon any more. Indeed, what is sacred?

  6. Alexandra Dickerman says:
    January 6, 2013 at 3:24 pm

    Isn’t it great! He has such an interesting perspective to add to the conversation.

Leave a Reply