Imitation - Classification - Construction Vessels of Vanitas and the Changing Meaning of Ornament

This text analysis the methodical transfer of qualities found in the ornamental engravings of Rococo, Art Forms of Nature by Ernst Haeckel, and the digital paintings of Robert Lettner to examine forms, applications and methods of the ornament as contemporary catalyst for the artwork Vessels of Vanitas. As an ongoing investigation, the following observations of the works, their differences and similarities, speculate on emerging synergies between method, media and context of the ornament and what each can learn from each other. Following the guiding principle of Wunderkammer, all these works and objects were brought together in one exhibition. As a result, a better understanding of the multi-layered concept of ornament as a naturalistic imitation, a classification tool, and as an algorithmically generated construct has been achieved.