Raymond Salvatore Harmon: Acid at Imitate Modern

Cross-genre media artist Raymond Salvatore Harmon has transformed Imitate Modern into a dramatic immersive artistic experience to showcase his new display Acid.

Merging the root concept of street art with technology in his work, Harmon is infamous for wildly colourful murals painted on building exteriors. Acid is an invigorating contrast to these projects, offering the opportunity to literally step into the mind of an exceptionally talented modern day artist.

Upon entry, the pure vibrancy of colour throughout the installation is encapsulating. Could this be what the imagination of life itself, with all its vivacity and sense of exploration looks like? It does feel at once surreal, if slightly overwhelming – an attack on the visual senses. Harmon has used techniques like sprayer and whip painting, as well as sculptural buildout, to create an explosion of elements animating and popping to draw the eye to every space.

The physical state of painting, the channelling of energy from artist to surface, is fully evident in the sheer drama of what Acid achieves. Every strand of colour reflects Harmon’s unorthodox conception of computer graphics and their manipulation of awareness and perception. The colour is at once appealing and inviting, like cutting-edge technology, but this beauty is interlaced with the possibility of darkness – our obsession with everything digital.

Several impressive pieces sit enticingly on the opposite wall of the gallery, again richly colourful collages that mirror the energy of the whole project. In fact, Harmon cuts up some of his larger works to assemble these incredible designs, a true test of resolve for any artist. 

Acid will be an intriguing encounter for anyone stepping into the gallery. The formation of life through colour and the exploration of perceived safety and actual threat is mesmerising. Harmon is an offbeat modern creationist with a very radical take on society’s addiction to technology. On the surface Acid is simply colour, but arrive inside and your mind will immediately analyse every detail, leaving you wanting more. A bright start to the new year for this exciting contemporary art gallery.

Emma Brady
Photos: Matthew Pull

Raymond Salvatore Harmon: Acid is at Imitate Modern until 21^st February 2015, for further information visit here.