Mark Rautenbach

Signal and Noise

This series reflects on the personal and the impersonal—on how we interpret and react to the world around us. It serves as a reminder to separate the signal from the noise and to avoid taking things personally, even when they feel directed at us.

Formally, the work contrasts tightly strung, carefully graded threads—meticulously ordered by color and tone—with a counterpoint of fine threads that tumble, unravel, and let go. These loose threads are stopped by the pressure of the frame’s glass, symbolizing the act of catching what matters—saving the baby from the bathwater.

The framing, both literal and metaphorical, shapes the composition and defines the art. It invites viewers to consider: does the framing of a situation—its context, its attitude—shape the signal, its meaning, or its argument? And how often do we let noise cloud our ability to see the signal clearly?

Weaving Resilience

This series begins with the deconstruction of traditional embroidery and tapestry practices, stripping them down to their core materials and methods. The reconstruction process involves weaving a single ‘rope’ from approximately 200 carefully graded threads in varying colors and tones. This rope is tightly bound onto a steel mesh, creating a deliberate and palpable tension.

The tension symbolizes the struggles we encounter in life—difficult moments that challenge us. By deconstructing and rebuilding, the work reflects a process of sitting with struggle, rather than reacting to it. It invites viewers to consider how resilience is cultivated through adversity and how, through reconstruction, we can uncover the paradoxes and beauty of existence.

Seeing Through Layers of Color and Perspective

These works draw inspiration from ‘shot’ fabrics—textiles woven with contrasting colors in the weft and warp. This unique interplay means that depending on your angle, different colors come to the forefront while others fade into the background.

This concept reflects how perspective shapes our understanding of life. From one viewpoint, certain aspects stand out clearly, while others seem to retreat—yet both are essential. It’s a reminder that even the seemingly insignificant parts are crucial; without them, the prominent elements wouldn’t have their brilliance.

Taking Responsibility for My Waste

In 2010, I conducted an experiment to see if I could take full responsibility for the waste I generate in my daily life. I began composting and recycling everything I could—plastic, paper, cardboard, glass, and other recyclable materials. However, some non-organic items didn’t fit into these categories.

That’s where the noonoos came to life. (Noonoo is an affectionate South African term for a small insect or creature.) Using this leftover material, I bound it with sewing thread sourced from a local haberdasher. The form of each noonoo emerged naturally from the process, evolving as I worked. Over time, they started interacting with one another, guided by principles of balance and connection.

Witnessing the Evolution of Obsolescence

Compact discs are a material and technology I’ve seen emerge and eventually fade into obsolescence. Once vessels of valuable data, emotional resonance, and cultural significance, they now feel like artifacts of a past era. This inevitable cycle of innovation and abandonment is something I find quietly compelling.

This series is still in its early stages, grappling with a curious reality: there’s now an entire generation that has never held a CD, let alone interacted with a CD carousel player. This disconnect makes me question the series' relevance, yet it also highlights its potential as a bridge between eras.

The concept plays on the idea of artists "covering" each other's work. In this case, CDs—and even their transparent jewel cases—are literally “covered” with thread and transformed into ‘pixels’ for constructing images. These pixelated compositions reinterpret some of my favorite historical paintings and iconic LP/CD covers, blending nostalgia, artistry, and a touch of irony.