IN SEARCH OF STIMULUS
An extremely lucid mind is required to follow the contemporary art world . Brisk geopolitical changes, a fragile social and economic order, the presence of countries that have never been on “center stage” before and a feverish global creativity, make it even harder to grasp. Bombarded by fascinating commercial set ups that surround the multiple events(Biennales , Fairs , Dokumenta , the list goes on) the spectator is forced to sort at first glance from images, colors , videos…The exercise becomes even more strenuous when he is requested to depict its conceptual essence. And so, the new cultural tourism, its VIP packages, discounts on airfares and hotels and an efficient mass media deployment, broadens our exposition spectrum, but narrows on the other hand, our perception capability. A cosmopolitan flock dutifully attends previews and galas in a race against time, amidst the heat and the crowds, bypassing endless proposals and cultural expressions.
The almost “abstract” digits at Auction houses, confirm the market position of the “chosen” ones, who sell out through galleries that represent them faster than ever. I doubt that many people can describe the sold piece. It is reduced to a mere sum in the headlines. Consequently, most of the opinions are shaped by a few and followed massively, discarding valuable proposals. Amazing how due to a comfortable attitude the sense of “adventure” is being reduced…In the light of this “new commodity” market it will be interesting to see what will prevail.
My persistent romanticism may perhaps be seen as anachronistic , in its willingness to search for the essence of the creativity process and its subsequent execution .I am not looking for arguments that may convince over a purchase .I am doing it for the mere pleasure that I would like to convey . Obviously tastes and interests mutate and evolve but I certainly hope that, in changing so, many valid expressions will not be radically detracted and dismissed.
Centuries have elapsed in which rules were broken towards an evolution. Why not continue such transgression with proposals that defy “respected” notions of what is
“vanguard” and what does not qualify under the preconceived terms.
An artist does not need to fight for a position in contemporary terms. The pressure is absurd and is forcing more than one of them to “adjust” to
such “forms” to be able to be present in the current marketplace.
Noteworthy exhibitions:
Please search online
Tate Modern, Helio Oiticica (1937-80) brilliant Brazilian innovator and conceptual artist.150 pieces not shown to the public in over 30 years.
Dali and Film
Hayward Gallery
Anthony Gormley
Biblioteca Luis Angel Arango
Banco de la Republica in Bogota
Curated by Hans-Michal Herzog
From the daros Collection
Word is that “painting” is being resumed…it may have ceased to be present for decades given its forced way uniquely to conceptual art…Well, we have here a conceptual painter or a painter with concepts. Rigorous in its execution as few may be, inspired by the Flemish School, Alfonso Alvarez creates “TROPHIES”. At first glance, a series of disturbing individuals, often sinister and grotesque which, with meticulous precision , captivate the unprepared eye. For centuries, the enemy’s head symbolized triumph. Using precisely as such, in small formats of 11 ½ x 10” ,Alvarez renders a conceptual complex through a most classic technique.
The surface is elaborated with so much detail and sensitivity that these non attractive figures are transformed highly esthetic, each of them, a product of his imagination,with a defined character which he deepens in all aspects of the human mind. With subtle poetry, each element, crease and wrinkle is carefully selected in order to give away one more trait of their personality. They all impersonate him .He creates in this way a strong, identifiable “profile” but at the same time fragile and vulnerable, that remains latent in our memory.
Herewith, one more example that formulas are not unique!
Iris Ramler
Iris Ramler Stein |
