Christopher Hoot (b.1964)
Language Constructor, (2022)
Medium:
Low-relief assemblage, collage, and marbled digital print mounted on wood panel
Dimensions: 16" x 48" x 2"
Location: Akron City Hospital, 2 East
About the Artwork
Christopher Hoot’s Language Constructor is a dynamic exploration of shape, color, and spatial interplay. This elongated panel features a carefully composed arrangement of rectilinear, abstract forms in vibrant hues of yellow, orange, and pink, contrasted against a cooler-toned background. A wire-like spool emerges on the left side, while a rounded form on the right suggests the contours of a leaf. Some elements fold outward from the panel, casting shadows and enhancing the artwork’s dimensionality, while digital line work undulates across the surface, creating a sense of movement.
Hoot’s process is rooted in the tradition of assemblage—an art form often associated with Pablo Picasso’s early 20th-century constructions—yet he takes a contemporary approach. Rather than incorporating found objects, he fabricates each component himself, blending digital design techniques with acrylic paint to craft a composition that bridges physical and virtual spaces.
The title, Language Constructor, reflects both the artist’s method and the artwork’s layered visual language. By integrating digital printing with three-dimensional elements, Hoot challenges our perception of depth and form, inviting viewers to engage with the work from multiple perspectives. Though firmly mounted on a wooden panel, the interplay of color, line, and shadow creates an ever-shifting visual experience that rewards close observation.
Language Constructs, (2021)
Medium: Low-relief assemblage, collage, and marbled digital print mounted on wood panel
Dimensions: 16” x 48” x 2”
Location: Barberton Joint Center of Excellence, Main Hallway
About the Artwork
Christopher Hoot’s Language Constructs is a layered exploration of form, movement, and communication. Bold digital line work—reminiscent of architectural or industrial structures—floats above vibrant, laser-cut acrylic planes, all set against a swirling marbled background. The juxtaposition of these elements creates a striking dialogue between tradition and innovation, with the fluid, organic patterns of marbling referencing historical bookmaking techniques, while the precise vector-drawn forms evoke the digital age.
Each layered component appears to rest on a dark, shelf-like base, as though displayed in a curated arrangement. This careful composition prompts reflection on the title: Language Constructs. Are "constructs" nouns, referring to built forms of communication? Or are they verbs, emphasizing language’s role in shaping perception and meaning? This ambiguity mirrors the visual interplay within the piece, where solid acrylic planes seem to both interact with and pass through linear elements, challenging our sense of depth and structure.
Hoot describes his artistic approach as inspired by "random chance encounters—driven by music and architectural design." This influence is evident in the rhythmic energy of Language Constructs, where tumbling, interwoven forms suggest a kind of controlled chaos. The work celebrates the possibilities of contemporary artmaking, layering diverse processes and materials into a composition that is both complex and thought-provoking.
About the Artist
Christopher Hoot identifies as a "visual communicator," a designation that reflects his dual roles as both designer and educator. With an M.F.A. in Graphic Design from Yale University and a B.A. in Art and Design from Indiana University, Hoot’s work explores the intersection of verbal and visual language, enriching the field of graphic and visual communication design.
Currently, he serves as a faculty member at the University of Akron’s Myers School of Art, where he teaches art and design while coordinating the Foundations 2D Design and B.A. Studio Art programs. His research and creative practice emphasize visual rhetoric—using design as a means to connect, inform, and engage audiences.
Hoot’s design work extends throughout northeastern Ohio, where he has collaborated with institutions such as the Akron Art Museum, the Allen Memorial Art Museum at Oberlin College, and the Akron Civic Theatre. His portfolio spans book and catalog design, environmental and exhibition design, corporate identity, and wayfinding systems. His work on exhibitions highlights his ability to translate complex narratives into compelling visual experiences.
Explore More
Christopher Hoot’s work can be seen on his Instagram page, showcasing a broad spectrum of projects that merge design with storytelling, accessibility, and community impact.
The Healing Arts at Summa Health