to the other side.
Break on through: “The Doors” not only chose a name that evoked the passage to ‘the other side’ but also embodied the concept in their music. Songs like their iconic song “Breaking Through to the Other Side” capture the essence of exploration and the human desire to uncover what lies beyond the known. This theme resonates with the “doors” within our minds, often kept closed out of fear of the unknown.
The 1970s marked an era of experimentation, particularly with mind-altering substances. These ‘consciousness-expanding’ drugs have since shifted our perception, influencing not just individual experiences but also the broader scope of art. Psychedelic art, while not occupying a central role in art history, has significantly shaped graphic design. Its influence is evident in everything from album covers and comics to experimental films.
This subject has always intrigued me and today it sets the tone for our exploration.
the art market as the other side
I am grateful for the liberty to create art without the pressure to make a living from it. This freedom is mine as long as I keep my distance from the commercial art market. Today’s art market has its peculiarities and poses challenges to artists, but let’s set that aside for now.
In the realm of art, painting solely for oneself is not sustainable in the long run. Like a chef who delights in crafting a new dish, true satisfaction comes when it’s well-received by the diners. At this point, I would like to say a big thank you to every “diner” on my blog!
It’s been two years since my last major exhibition in Chongqing, China—a gap that’s less than ideal for my professional profile. To bridge this, I’ve recently participated in two exhibitions, one in London and another in Sao Paulo.
The Boomer Gallery in London is a trendy spot, perfectly located. Its opening nights, complete with free champagne, cocktails, and caviar, attract a lively crowd.
break on through (I)
So I took this chance to “break on through to The Dark Side”.
The Imaginarium exhibition in Sao Paolo, Brazil is more important to me. Both exhibitions contain works that I have already presented here.
Like this one, which I want to show again because it fits well with our topic today.
But both events are nothing more than an ornament in the biography and are essentially without meaning.
What came as a surprise was that another gallery, metaspacegallery, accepted work from me and featured one prominently. Due to the concept and nature of the exhibition, I submitted works that I have not shown here on my blog, such as this one, which is essentially a study for an abstract surrealist painting.
break on through (II)
Recent encounters with the art industry have plunged me into a profound crisis, even a blockade. [1] Yet, I’ve managed to paint a few pieces, two of which I’d like to share, despite my reservations about this first one.
“Break on through to the Other Side” – it’s unsatisfactory. It started well, but I didn’t stop in time, resulting in a desperate scramble to salvage something. My journey to blend the raw energy of rock music with the visual medium of painting was unsuccessful. Although my initial attempts didn’t meet my expectations, the process is what truly matters. I’m exploring uncharted territory, learning if and how the essence of music can be captured on canvas or paper.
The piece is rooted in a distant, sorrowful event. It primarily depicts a teenage girl (top left, with her dog), who, pursued by the devil and demons, breaks through to the other side. In her early twenties only she was found dead with a needle in her arm.
break on through (III)
I’m having more fun with my next attempt and would like to go into more detail about it.
Images have the power to alter the course of our lives. Over time, certain visuals have etched themselves into my memory, awaiting their turn to be expressed in some form. It’s rarely the renowned masterpieces in museums that captivate me. Instead, it’s the hidden gems like a small mural I encountered during my second-to-last trip to Egypt. Its analysis by art historians remains unknown to me, and I’m in no rush to discover it. Recently, it surged to the forefront of my mind, demanding to be acknowledged.
Let’s turn to the Egyptian marvel first. The tombs of the Pharaohs are overwhelming, and we often focus on the familiar works highlighted in literature. The inconspicuous treasures hidden in corners, like this one, can easily escape notice.
on the way to the other side
As I stood before this mural, I was just struck. The first thing that came to mind as I stared in amazement was the connection to Greek mythology. [2] The figure to the far right, reminiscent of the ferryman Charon, seems to guide souls across the River Styx, bridging the realms of life and death.
The concept of the “soul” varies across cultures, religions, and philosophies. While Western thought often lacks a definitive explanation for the soul, in this context, these figures represent souls to me—caught between the material and the spiritual, embarking on their passage across the Styx.
Of course, I didn’t hold a brush in one hand and a photograph in the other, and I didn’t try to copy this Egyptian image in any way. The last time I saw it was over a year ago. Rather, I attempted to give souls a soul 😊 And my souls are still in the matrix. They don’t wait for the ferryman yet, they’re still chatting. I was pleasantly surprised that some parts were quite similar to the Egyptian original.
extra
The allure of a trinity depicted in my artwork, resonating with the souls entwined within, led me to rediscover a treasure long-held in my collection of ethnographic artifacts. Even as a student, when finances were tight, I was drawn to collect pieces that spoke to me, each for mysterious reasons.
Behold a remarkable sculpture from the Karatepe Hittite Fortress in Issos, Anatolia. Crafted between the 8th and 7th centuries BC, this artifact stands in impressively good condition, a testament to the enduring legacy of ancient civilizations.
footnotes:
[1] Among other things, I had sold a picture through a well-known gallery. It took over 2 months and many emails until I finally got my money. Incredibly annoying when you have to waste your precious time so pointlessly.
[2] There is probably no direct connection. The passing after our death affects every culture, and every person. This image is certainly an archetype, like the savior motif or the eternal paradise.
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