Templum

Ivan's Templum fractal. What to say about it. Well, for one, this is probably the longest I've stared at one single piece of art, anywhere, ever. I was instantly mesmerized by it as soon as I saw it. Then decided I wanted to try draw some of what I saw. The longer I looked, the more I discovered. Drawing this was one of the hardest things I'd ever tried, but when you're trying to truly discover a shape, maybe trying to draw it, is the way to do it <img src="e.deviantart.net/emoticons/l/l…" width="19" height="21" alt="" title="Laughing my ass off!"/>
I do not know very much about fractal art. I always thought it was just a number of random shapes, which endlessly repeat itself. I never thought there was a way to manipulate/design the detail of the shapes in the way I found them in Ivan's fractal here. What you see here is obviously NOT random. There are details hidden in this huge colourfull looking fractal, that you'll only see by intently looking at it for a while.

Check out what seems to be those elegant yellow golden shapes. There's actual faces in there. A frown, two little eyes, a nose. A mouth.
See the shorter little red shapes, separated by the 'diamond'? Inside which, it looks like there's something that resembles a buddha. I detect a head, body, and two arms spread sideways.
And above it, what just looks like red and white shapes? Look closer. This is what really got me once I saw it. They're hearts. They're two hands carefully holding a heart, by two fingers of each hand. You can detect the sleeve. The sleeves sticking out of a hole. And once you see this one, go around the "circle" , and you will see the pattern repeats itself. Each yellow shape (yes, the one's with the faces) has half a heart on each side. And they're held, by hands,all around the whole fractal image, like connecting it all. Once you notice the hands, you'll see more. Same as for those hearts, you'll find more. Above the little red shapes, there's a tiny heart. Above the bigger handheld heart I first noticed, there's another shape, and again, half hearts on either side. And these are only a few of the things I noticed. I think this piece is full of hidden treasures. It deserves to be looked at. I am surprised to notice the low number of favorites for this piece, and don't understand it. Do people remember to double click to see in full view?
Technically, and although I don't know much about fractals at all as I said, I believe I can say this was extremely well executed. Making it look easy. making it look like just a bunch of shapes and colours, but in fact, this was a carefully designed and build up artwork. Impact, I say is high.. since I've never in my life sat there looking at something this intently, and I know I'm also not done looking yet.
In all, I think Ivan made one of the most original and stunning images ever. Well done Ivan. Thank you for the many hours of enjoyment you've given me already. And for making something that attracts an amateur to actually really want to look at art in an area that's totally new and unknown. See, to be able to do that? That is what I call.. true art.