Trapped In A World That We Never Made

I am the rest between two notes,

Which are somehow always in discord

Because Death’s note wants to climb over –

But in the dark interval, reconciled,

They stay there trembling.

And the song goes on, beautiful.

~Rainer Maria Rilke

By Elin Spring

Who could use a dose of magical realism right now? Trapped in a world we never made, fantasy calls like a siren song. Fran Forman’s new book answers with equal parts mystery and anticipation. In a selection of works from several recent series, she marries magical realism with film noir. Rife with unexpected combinations of ancient and modern elements and with influences as disparate as Hopper, Vermeer and Magritte, Forman’s photomontages are poised between reality and illusion, connection and isolation, betwixt light and shadow in “The Rest Between Two Notes.”

“Hopper in Kearney” by Fran Forman from the book The Rest Between Two Notes (Unicorn, 2020)

“Woman Writing, With Apologies To Vermeer” by Fran Forman from the book The Rest Between Two Notes (Unicorn, 2020)

“Melancholic Museum” by Fran Forman from the book The Rest Between Two Notes (Unicorn, 2020)

“Mirage” by Fran Forman from the book The Rest Between Two Notes (Unicorn, 2020)

Forman’s photo-paintings are all dream states. Suspended in alluring uncertainty, her subjects mine the knotty nature of relationships – to one another, to their surroundings, and to us. Architectural features frame them in metaphorical portals, with psychologically charged props like cages and birds. They often appear in historical garb, sometimes hover in menacing shadows, are bathed in suffusions of brilliant light, and enveloped in an explosion of saturated jewel tones. Even compositions devoid of people are soaked with colorful character.

“Blue Chair” by Fran Forman from the book The Rest Between Two Notes (Unicorn, 2020)

“Swing” by Fran Forman from the book The Rest Between Two Notes (Unicorn, 2020)

“Night Watchman” by Fran Forman from the book The Rest Between Two Notes (Unicorn, 2020)

“Kae With Shadow” by Fran Forman from the book The Rest Between Two Notes (Unicorn, 2020)

Forman’s allusions are ageless and yet in this global moment, they address themes that have never seemed more timely. Her characters are innocents caught in ominous ambiguity. Their hesitation is ours, purposely vague and suggestive. As the real world becomes a cacophonous nightmare, the luminous imaginary worlds in “The Rest Between Two Notes” entices us to ponder our fears, hopes, and dreams.

“Missing” by Fran Forman from the book The Rest Between Two Notes (Unicorn, 2020)

“Blue Room” by Fran Forman from the book The Rest Between Two Notes (Unicorn, 2020)

For more information or to order this book, go to: https://www.franforman.com/the-rest-between-two-notes

“Door To The Sea” by Fran Forman from the book The Rest Between Two Notes (Unicorn, 2020)

Feature Image: “Lookout” by Fran Forman from the book The Rest Between Two Notes (Unicorn, 2020)