Have we lost touch with the majesty of sharing life with the entire kingdom? By this kingdom we mean of course nature. The natural world is inseparable from us, we are completely part of it. Our human-centred world-view often leaves little space for the other beings we share the gift of life with. So they might not be able to have a conversation with us, they can communicate feelings and their presence can be a symbol for so much more. Animals have been a focus of art since the beginning of history, with their shapes taking clear form in works laid down long before any writing.


Back in those early days when possibly language-free humans with very little technology depicted animals, it was because they were large aspects of their lives. Either a source of food or a source of fear, these beings became part of the image-based culture we know appeared. Today though, the connection we have with the natural world is hidden behind electric lights and refrigerated food. Our oneness with nature and our shared connection of energy, nutrients, and space-time is occulted by television sets and loud music.
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So to find an artist who is passionate about keeping this primordial fire burning, we have found a modern treasure. We have to remember that our psychological images of animals are brought to us by iconic symbols in books and on packaging. We see a few works of art and some beautifully taken photos and we mentally know what we are talking about. These dry and one-dimensional representations often fail to bring to life the true soul of the unique creature we are looking at.


Jan Harrison's work is different. Recently exhibited at 11 Jane Street Studio, New York, the wonderful and colourful impressionistic designs capture something much more than the animals biological structure and behaviour. We see that these beings are experiencing the world at their own level and with their own unique perspective. As we gaze into the eyes and faces of Jan's Jungian animals, we see that the ethereal quality of the work seems to nudge at something intuitive and sub-conscious. The aura like lighting and parliamentarisation of each image brings about the sense of connectivity and systemic dynamism that we know from our own lives.

Via Hyperallergic

Yesterday, Wednesday 7th October, saw the announcement from the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields of a new permanent exhibition. The Lume Indianapolis is set to open in June 21, with setbacks expected if Covid security isn't tight enough. The 137 year old exhibition centre will use projectors to illuminate every space. With curated placements of projection screens and light flooding the entire room, a space the size of 30,000 sq. feet will be illuminated with works from Vincent Van Gogh.


Aromas will be set to release on timings as classical music plays in accompaniment to the images on display. Visitors will be able to walk in, around, and through each work and sense the recreated atmosphere that they represent. An impressionism layered with new impressions based on historical knowledge awaits those who would wander these halls.


Expect 150 light projectors and almost 3000 known images from the Van Gogh collection to be amplified in extra-dimensional glory. Of course, we want to sit back and relax so the gallery have naturally catered for our needs. Van Gogh inspired food and drink will be available, prepared to order. Created by Grande Experiences, the exhibit is hoped to bring yet more eager visitors to the multi-functional campus.


The artistic reasoning behind this immersive idea is to allow visitors to find a true affection for the beauty of Van Gogh and the medium in general. By magnifying each stroke, each colour transition, each dynamic shading, we can witness first-hand the true amount of work that painting so skilfully entails.


Via Indie Star
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Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs chief cultural officer and ex-rock-star Candice Gordon has co-ordinated a photographic exhibition of Irish life in the city of Berlin. She has only been in the embassy for a few weeks and already her presence is being felt. As Berlin is in a post-lock-down state with social distancing still compulsory, the works are spread out over the city. Six photographers have put together a collection of images to be exhibited at various Irish owned businesses in the German capital.


The exhibition is intended to showcase Irish life beyond the familiar icons we may already think of. There's a lot going on in Ireland and most of it exciting, so the artists had a lot of work to do in order to capture the modern national spirit. Visitors can purchase a special pass called a Trail Card which maps out the destinations and entitles the holder to a free drink at each stop.


The different photographers have different styles and perspectives on their home. Each set of images shows a unique direction and aesthetic which goes to show the majesty and intrigue within their land. Available in situ until 2nd October, the rest of us can visit the Ireland In Frame website.


Via The Irish Times