Kathy Kissik
King Tide 3
Triptych
2022
The King Tide series is inspired by my observations from over 16 years of living in South Beach, Miami. The king tide is the highest predicted high tide of the year. During this period water levels are higher than that on an average day. In Miami Beach, the king tides usually occur during the months of September, October, and November. King tides provide a preview of the normal tidal variations we will see in the years to come as sea levels continue to rise.
The artwork features original manipulated photographs of South Beach Miami and the art deco buildings that make up it’s famed shoreline. The land however is missing. Potentially a future where all buildings are oceanfront until the tide rises and they are reclaimed.
The photographs have been taken over the last 2 years. They are computer manipulated, painted, and rendered into reimagined waterscapes. The layering of acrylic gels provides a depth and process that underscores the passage of time and fluidity of water. The hyper real colors juxtaposed against the sinking buildings create a dramatic tension belying the ideal ocean vistas. William Turners seascapes and his theme of man versus nature inform the narrative.