12 Amber Jars

Title: 12 Amber Jars

I’ve been reading up and learning minimalism to see how I can better incorporate its themes into my candles.

Interestingly enough, my first crack at it isn’t actually with candles but rather candle jars.

What I found interesting about this was its layers of composition. The way I see it, there are four layers:

1. The individual objects
2. The context the objects are in
3. The framing delivering this image (IG)
4. The perceiver (you)

In the first three layers, each has its shape.

In the first, the objects, glass amber jars, are round. None have any sharp lines.

In the second, we see that the jars, when grouped, start to form hints of lines.

In the third, we see IG’s explicit boxing of the photo. Its digital borders exhibit very sharp, concrete lines.

There’s a progression of sharpness from these layers that’s there but is very much hidden.

I think there’s also something to be said with the light. Each jar is indeed unique, and this is visible through each jar’s inscription. But with light, a softer, under-the-surface uniqueness is expressed.

Maybe the light is an anti-pattern here, departing the piece away from minimalism. But I see it as a catalyst, activating the jars and providing a sharpness that’s formless — unlike the lines detailed above.