The Most Important Annual Group Exhibition in Mauritius.

 

The 34th Salon De Mai (at the School of Fine Arts/University of Mauritius,MGI, Moka,-27th May to 7th June 2015) can be said to be a mitigated success. Different from last year's; this year was centered around the theme 'Black and White' and much attention was given to detail and background while organising the exhibition. Personally I found the exhibition instructive and enriching where 55 artists (myself amongst them) were given a platform to express their views and concerns. 

Being emersed in this art world during the active exhibiting period is thrilling and rewarding;emphasising how the importance of this activity represents a boost for the survival of my artistic soul. This is where I belong. This is also where I long to be each and every time; as I struggled to remain faithful to my art; to hold on tight when doubt and insecurities creep on silently and catch me unaware. Do I long for recognition? I think I do; however, I feel more for the artwork which I "gave birth to". Here is the place where it will blossom and glitter and shine;here is also the place where it will remain as a memory.

As I said, to me the success was "mitigated" in the sense that this year; more emphasis was laid on to the sensationally political statements present in some artworks. As this article in the local newspaper argues; the audience is much more interested in the artwork which critiques its society. 

http://www.lexpress.mu/article/263397/salon-mai-2015-lactualite-montre-crocs

There has been changes in the political scenery recently and reflecting upon this in art is commendable. However, where am I amidst all of this? My audience was very encouraging; remarks flowed from everywhere and I could sense the viewers enthusiasm as they enjoyed my art. However I also noted that I was not in the limelight as those political outcries. Have I gone unnoticed to some people? Was it important to be in the limelight? Should I bring change to my art as a result? As I have always said; I am in favour of an art that remains sincere and simple. Does the public feel for this kind of art? And the most important question above all: DOES IT REALLY MATTER?  

Dmytro Kurovskiy

Dmytro Kurovskiy was born in 1971, in Chernihiv, Ukraine. He attended the Kharkiv State University of Arts, graduating in 1994 as a flutist and teacher. Dmytro Kurovskiy started to take part in concerts and exhibitions as an artist from the beginning of 1990’s. Since 1991, he is a leader of Foa Hoka musical band. http://foahoka.com Kurovskiy works with neo-pop/psychedelic art. He enjoys experimenting with new techniques that combine art, music and abstract design.

 

 

What attracted me to this artist is how the artist's personality has been able to crop in his works and harmoniously synthetise in them. Being passionate about different art forms; he merged everything and of course as his attention is diverged; he works in multiplicity and the interaction of different surfaces/objects and music. I like this "ensemble" as everything converses towards a harmonious unified whole and this particular concern of problem-solving process can be very painstaking and/or creatively thrilling to the artist. The artwork goes beyond boundary issues as It cannot be pinned down as being a painting/sculpture/installation,etc. An experiential performance where only glimpses can be viewed through photographs. 

The Aspect of Expressing Emotion

The Lady in Blue Dress

Looking at Munch's "The Scream" made me wonder about the key ideas behind portraying strong emotions in an impactual way. The art thus becomes responses of universal relationships and concerns of society and the artist creates and shares personal connections that are tangible and visible extensions of themselves:the complex interface of affect and cognition.

These are two small trials considering these ideas using watercolours. I worked with mid-tones and carefully picked up my colour palette as I wanted a subtle undertone. Understanding the connection with colour is important at this point as this relationship becomes quite strong;revealing inner emotions. I opted for simplicity and I was astounded by the result. I think using soft colours was a conscious effort to get away from what I had been doing presently.

34th Salon De Mai (28th May to 7th June 2015); Mahatma gandhi Institute;School of Fine Arts, Moka

With the Honorable Minister of Education Mrs Leela Devi Dookun

Placing of my first year project.

An interesting venture as I was offered a black background to start with; the theme being "black and White". I decided for the suspension of the boxes.At last a circle completing itself with the viewer's projections and reactions; a long awaited moment for this work was never properly displayed before. Space in and space out, the composition stood out for its vibrant colours and merging technique. I was struck by the element of movement of the swaying boxes which was a pleasant add on.

  

 

Clouds...Contemplating Stillness; A serious Activity

To me, the act of contemplating clouds is an instant experience/connection emphasising on the passage of time. It is THE ephemeral moment that determines everything; an experience which is heightened by the natural processes: being totally dependent on the weather. The sky has always seemed full of wonder in Mauritius; being so clear and free from high buildings; and of course boggling my imagination with ideas and thoughts. The cloud becomes an ephemeral sculpture in time and space. At night too it is yet another spectacular view. I am reminded of the Dutch artist Berndnaut Smilde, who produces clouds inside rooms and galleries. I think this idle gazing/contemplating is not less than an art therapy.

Here is an artwork by another artist which I liked for his simplicity:

 

 artwork by Tim Knowles

Other interesting examples of artists who use clouds are Jennifer Broussard; Lucy and Jorge Orta’s “Cloud: Meteros”inside London’s St Pancras station building and Caitlind R.C Brown and Wayne Garrett.

http://www.jenniferbroussard.com/galleries/cloud-9/

http://incandescentcloud.com/2013/06/18/cloud-ceiling-at-progress-bar/

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/uk/london/10003252/St-Pancras-artwork-has-its-head-in-the-clouds.html

And for the fans of clouds;two enjoyable Facebook links for comments and interaction/sharing:
https://www.facebook.com/cloudappreciationsociety 
https://www.facebook.com/CloudSpotterApp 

I think a pro camera can reveal the experience much more forcefully by showing the sharpness of detail; however here is my humble attempt at catching these fleeting images...

Also, a creative idea about constructing one for home deco:http://www.thinkinghumanity.com/2015/06/she-glues-cotton-to-a-paper-lantern-now-watch-what-happens-when-she-turns-the-light-off.html#sthash.3BeAf2wZ.dpuf

 

 Some Photographs of the contemplation:

The artist Viviane Fleury

 

Viviane Fleury,

Art description:
Sing your joy and to your joy with every bird, every flower and every spring. ...
Painting: Acrylic on Canvas. Ready to hang.
Size: 70 H x 60 W x 2 cm
Keywords: birds, spring, colorful, decorative, the melody of joy, sing your joy, inspiring, joy, lively, melody, music, nature

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Viviane-Fleury-Fine-Artist/1577831659171804

I am in favour of an art that is simplistic in style as the visual impact is direct  and experienced with force. Much of Viviane Fleury's concerns match my own as her journey of using art and image-making as a way to understand herself, to grow and to change and a way to understand fears, dreams, and identity. She shares her experiences with us and makes us understand the importance to bring out unconscious thoughts and feelings. Making personal art brings them to light so we can muse on them, learn from them, and understand ourselves better.

A New Perspective:The Puzzle- exploring hybrid solutions

Start anywhere; go everywhere. So, just as a coherent string of words creates a sentence, or several clicks creates data tracking, an assortment of visual qualities or even strategic marks can be combined to produce an image. This would imply that a similar logical or systematic approach could be used to produce paintings, but what if these paintings end up serving another purpose/experience as well? I would like to describe this exciting feeling while looking at superimposed images of my work together while at the display stage . There is something important here. Isn't the concerns of Henri Matisse the same as when he allows random images to settle in his collages.I ended up rediscovering my recent work Task Three through haphazard photographs which made me think more and more of the idea of working through a puzzle.

The presentation and display of the works enhances the visual interplays already at work within the images; at different times hinting towards Op Art. The notion of the void is also accentuated between the paintings. The vibrant colors and dramatic mark-making of the numerous paintings in this arrangement are rhythmically balanced; however a different placement could be as interesting as well, challenging the perception of the additive and subtractive.The variety in line,shapes and colours create spatial transformations, fragmenting and reinventing images and patterns as we view on; operating like a puzzle. As self-observation, I find myself thinking of my paintings as images present in the microscopic details of molecules, atoms and particles; to the telescopic magnificence present in the stars and the cosmos.

The finished work as displayed.