Drawing the line: Exhibit connects art and spoken word
By DeAllous Smith

Do you see what it’s saying? The artworks in “Durations,” a new exhibit in the Atrium Gallery at Hartsfield-Jackson, combine the senses of sound and sight by visually mimicking sound waves traditionally seen in oscilloscopes and spectrograms.

In his collection, artist Craig Dongoski connects various media, including sound, to the act of drawing. He considers the connection between speaking and writing to be related to the connection between the sound of making the mark and the drawing itself.

“The drawings are built by repeatedly reinterpreting the previous line drawn and are intended to be translated into sound by way of considering them as graphic scores,” he said.

Dongoski uses materials such as oil pencils and air brush on birch. The production process is slow and time-consuming.

“ ‘Durations’ is an internal expression,” said Katherine Dirga, Airport Art Program manager. “This exhibit features 17 drawings that capture the connections among the spoken word, rhythm and drawings and transform them into visual expressions.”   

The exhibit will be on display through February 1.

Artist Craig Dongoski’s drawings in “Durations” represent graphic scores, mimicking sound waves.