Vulgar or Bold?
I pose this question, wishing for an answer. For a long time there seemed to be no direction in art and painting, no “avantgarde”. However, more and more I see evidence of a new direction rising. I am not sure I like it or how I could participate. Yet I must accept this mainstream is now growing into a tide.
Here are some examples of what I have seen lately: large sculptures (20 feet long) of erect penis, or open vaginas, slaughtered cattle, nudes of travesties (bluntly displaying their both genders), terror scenes, blood and pain. When I was in the Architecture and Design School I learned to admire and respect Scandinavian design, therefore, during a family trip I took everyone to see the Statens Museum for Kunst (State Art Museujm) of Copenhagen- I gave no option: everyone had to come with me. Their collection of classical painters was good, complete as it included most world renowned signatures. Yet, the famous paintings were stacked up on the walls, hung in columns in which the higher paintings could not be at all appreciated, even if you were a 10 ft Viking. Obviously they had to make space for something deserving - I thought. Walking hand in hand with my 10 year old I we came into a spacious gallery: two large tv screens with seats were all that was present. We sat and watched a movie: a woman in her thirties arrives at the airport. Some friends pick her up. They drive her to a place that looks like a restaurant or bar. She starts dancing to music, swaying. She slowly undresses, strip-tease fashion. She then is totally naked, continues swaying. She takes an empty wineglass and places it under her crotch, still swaying, She pees, the camera does close up on the last drop falling. She filled the glass to the brim. Still swaying to the music, she drinks till the bottom is up. My little daughter of course, had lots of questions about my professional studies in design. The next room had a collection of xerox images and male and female butts, taken of course while the models sat down where you usually place your originals for copying. We did not spend much time in the rest of the exhibits. Instead, we walked down to the cafeteria and had a very fine lunch in spite of our appetite loss.
The Copenhagen experience was not unique. At the Kiasma Museum in Helsinky we saw an exhibit on terror: kidnappings, dismemberments, torture, etc. It seems everywhere in Europe wide, open and wonderful architectural spaces are devoted mostly to the expressions from below. If you would be interested in seeing more of this, google Jenny Saville: I admire her wonderful brushtroke and beautiful colors, but I can’t help being grossed out by her subjects.
Back in the peace of my Estudio-Café of Nuevo Vallarta I see my paintings: large format fruits, quaint landscapes, exploding ocean waves, people in normal situations, some portraits. I get an uneasy feeling of being passé. Would I change? yes, of course. I have to, as an artist I always must; but where to? I will tell you when I find out. This is a question I need to mull over slow and deep. I am open to opinions, use my e-mail address please. Email to a friend. Federico León de La Vega
E-mail: federico@estudiocafe.net
Website: estudiocafe.net
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Author Note: This is a chapter of a book I am writing about my adventures as a painter artist.
The Federico León de la Vega Estudo – Café is open to the public and is located in Paseo de la Marina 31, Nuevo Vallarta, Nayarit. Opening hours are Monday to Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Sundays from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m.
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