The Genre
Artifactism™
A new art genre in which authenticated historical artifacts become the medium of contemporary fine art. History does not merely inspire the work. It becomes the work.
Artifactism™
noun · an art movement pioneered by Dirk Strangely
A contemporary art movement in which genuine historical artifacts are physically incorporated into visual works, often as pigment or material, to create original pieces that blend historical legacy and creative expression.
What if a painting could contain actual history? Not depict it. Not reference it. Physically contain it. In Souls of the Titanic, RMS Titanic, Inc., the only entity authorized to recover and authenticate artifacts from the wreck site, provided authenticated coal recovered during the 1994 expedition. Every soul looks out at you through paint made from the ship they sailed on.
The Process
From Wreck to Portrait
Authenticate
Coal recovered from the Titanic wreck during the 1994 expedition, authenticated as genuine material from the ship.
Refine
The coal is ground into pigment and refined through levigation into a museum grade paint, then bound with a little guar gum for longevity.
Mount
Pages from an authentic 1912 volume are mounted to wood panel, so each soul is rendered on the paper of their own era.
Paint
The Titanic coal is applied to the pupils of each soul and to the artist's signature, joining the person to the ship forever.
