Where Structure Becomes Freedom: Donn Delson’s Vision in The Space Between
A First-0f-Its-Kind Fine Art Exhibition Celebrating Freight Container Art from the Sky Structure is often perceived as a limitation—a rigid framework that constrains creativity. Shipping containers, designed for containment and transport epitomize this idea. They are functional, utilitarian, and industrial, rarely inspiring thoughts beyond their logistical purpose. Yet, The Space Between, Donn Delson’s upcoming solo exhibition at Axiom Contemporary in Phoenix, Arizona, challenges this perception. In a first-of-its-kind themed show, Delson transforms these symbols of confinement into vibrant compositions of freedom and fluidity, offering a reimagined perspective on industrial design as fine art.
Running from February 22 to March 15, 2025, with an opening reception on February 22 at 6 PM, the exhibition invites viewers to immerse themselves in Delson’s aerial photography. His large-scale, high-resolution images capture the beauty of shipping containers from above, revealing a world of unexpected symmetry, color, and dynamism. This limited-edition collection consists of 48 meticulously curated images, each presenting a unique perspective on industrial abstraction.
“From the ground, containers are just transport boxes, utilitarian objects serving a purpose. But from above, these ‘boxes’ become a dance of color, rhythm, and movement,” Delson explains. “What we think of as fixed becomes dynamic.”
Delson’s ability to reframe the ordinary as extraordinary offers a new way of engaging with the built environment, inviting viewers to reconsider the relationship between structure and creativity.
Structure as Art: Drawing Parallels to Mondrian, Rothko, and Judd
Delson’s work finds an intellectual and aesthetic kinship with the abstract artistry of Piet Mondrian, Mark Rothko, and Donald Judd. His photograph Strength in Stripes presents a geometric interplay of brightly colored shipping containers arranged in precise horizontal bands that emphasize structure and rhythm. The interplay of red, white, and blue naturally carries cultural significance, yet in this composition, the colors transcend any singular identity, instead emphasizing themes of order, movement, and balance. The use of these colors, seen frequently in global branding and industry, also speaks to the universality of commerce and the interconnected nature of trade. The vivid hues and linear repetition recall Mondrian’s rhythmic compositions, while the subtle variations in texture and color create a dynamic contrast between uniformity and industrial imperfection.
Similarly, Xylophones 5, from Delson’s Xylophones series, captures rows of colorful containers arranged with a visual cadence reminiscent of Rothko’s color field paintings. The layered tonal variations and striking juxtapositions engage the viewer in a contemplative study of hue and depth. The composition, punctuated by the occasional truck weaving through the arrangement, reinforces the dynamic interplay of order and movement.
In the spirit of Donald Judd, whose work explored minimalism and industrial materials as art, Delson's images distill complexity into simplicity. His aerial compositions honor Judd’s philosophy of space and form, revealing inherent artistry in objects often dismissed as purely functional.
“I do not just document,” Delson emphasizes. “I strive to create compositions that breathe, invite imagination, and offer new perspectives.”
The Scale of Immersion
Delson’s large-scale prints, often extending up to 90 inches wide, shift the photographic experience from passive observation to active engagement. The frameless presentations heighten the immersive quality of his work as if the viewer is soaring alongside him in the doorless helicopter.
The reflective gaps between containers in Sliding Tiles (top of article) create spontaneous, almost musical interruptions—an interplay of precision and randomness that challenges the traditional boundaries of both photography and painting. The sheer scale of Delson’s work invites the viewer to step inside a new reality, where overlooked industrial landscapes become grand, abstract compositions.
The 90-inch photograph One by One presents a striking pattern of shipping containers stacked in a seemingly uniform grid, yet disrupted by unexpected voids and variations in texture. The absence of a single container in an otherwise meticulously ordered composition suggests an intentional disruption—an artistic tension between precision and imperfection. At the heart of this visual interplay is a subtle discovery: the word "One" emerges in the negative space between two pink containers, reinforcing the double entendre of the title. This hidden text adds a conceptual depth to the piece, inviting viewers to reflect on themes of individuality within structure.
The painterly quality of the composition, with its bold color contrast and softened textures, lends an almost abstract quality to the work, reminiscent of color field paintings. The small break in the pattern draws the eye, introducing a visual pause that shifts the piece from strict repetition to something more organic. The differences in wear, subtle tonal shifts, and irregularities in alignment add depth, reinforcing the idea that even in structured environments, there is room for spontaneity and intrigue.
A Technological and Artistic Intersection
The photograph Roth & Co No. 19 is a striking exploration of both color harmony and industrial minimalism. The horizontal bands of blue, white, beige, and pink containers create a rhythmic sequence that evokes the structured yet intuitive nature of modernist color field painting. The gentle weathering on the surfaces adds a layer of organic imperfection, softening the hard edges of industrial design. The gradation of colors suggests a natural flow, reminiscent of a landscape viewed from above, reinforcing Delson’s aerial perspective as both technological and deeply artistic. The variations in texture and tone highlight how industrial objects, when viewed through an artistic lens, can take on a poetic, almost sculptural quality.
While many aerial photographers rely on drones, Delson takes to the skies in helicopters, capturing scenes at altitudes beyond the reach of remote devices. His direct engagement with the environment allows him to seize fleeting moments of alignment, contrast, and light that would be impossible to replicate otherwise.
His large-scale images are produced using museum-quality acrylic for a frameless, unencumbered presentation. This contemporary approach echoes his airborne process—both are unrestricted, offering a pure, immersive experience. Each of the 48 pieces in this limited edition collection is carefully selected to showcase the interplay between structure and spontaneity, enhancing its exclusivity as a collectible series.
Adrienne Faulkner, CEO of Faulkner Design Group, describes the transformative impact of Delson’s art:
“Donn’s work brings a sense of wonder and depth to the residential and commercial environments where they are placed. His ability to find art in industry is remarkable. It is not just photography—it is an invitation to see the world differently.”
Redefining Structure, Freedom, and Art
The Space Between mediates the relationship between structure and inspiration. Delson’s ability to extract beauty from rigid, utilitarian forms challenges preconceived notions of industrial landscapes. In his hands, order becomes fluid, function becomes art, and structure gives way to freedom.
By drawing from the artistic philosophies of Mondrian, Rothko, and Judd, Delson invites viewers to embrace a new visual language—one that transforms the overlooked into the extraordinary.
For those seeking to experience art in an unconventional, immersive, and thought-provoking way, The Space Between stands as an unprecedented celebration of industrial aesthetics as fine art.
Axiom Contemporary
Phoenix
February 22-March 15, 2025
Opening reception February 22 6pm
