Matt McCormick Chronicles His ‘Into the Distance’ Series in New Book

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As a seasoned connoisseur of art that resonates deeply with my own experiences, I find myself profoundly captivated by Matt McCormick‘s upcoming book, “Out Of The Great Wide Open.” Having spent years traversing the digital frontier of social media, where pristine perfection reigns supreme, it’s a breath of fresh air to encounter an artist who embraces the grit and grain of imperfection.

Artist Matt McCormick, based in Los Angeles, is set to unveil a fresh book delving into his “Into the Distance” series. Titled “Out Of The Great Wide Open”, this publication re-imagines the myth of the American West by examining it through a modern perspective, touching upon themes such as freedom, longing, and solitude.

McCormick launched “Into the Distance” in 2017, a project born between Los Angeles and New York City. By incorporating punk rock aesthetics, such as printing glitchy landscapes and superimposing cowboy figures, he embraced the flaws that are typically smoothed over by today’s social media-driven perfection. Over time, McCormick’s work has evolved to portray his solitary subjects moving in and out of focus like movie scenes, reflecting the blending of digital and physical realms, a theme also reflected in the psychedelic color schemes he employs to evoke the dreamlike qualities of films such as “Yellow Submarine” (1968) and “Heavy Metal” (1981).

The book’s description notes that the vibrant colors and rough texture give the landscapes a dreamy, slightly dystopian feel, combining traditional American imagery with a contemporary twist. The cowboys depicted in these fantastical landscapes serve as commentary on the declining charm of the American West, questioning its romanticized past while confronting the shattered realities of today. Into The Distance ultimately functions as a multi-layered exploration of how art can guide us through history and memory, redefining and expanding the boundaries of Western art for contemporary viewers.

On December 4th, you’ll find “Out Of The Great Wide Open” – a hardcover book – on the artist’s webstore. This book, which is 204 pages long, measures approximately 8.5 x 11 inches in size.

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2024-11-05 02:55