Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Blinded By The Light

This is the final post (so he says) of my experience at Sevilla's Center for Contemporary Art's exhibition, "Abstraction and Motion." In a future post, I'll be sharing images of the architecture and gardens of the Center. Come to think of it, I may have a little more art to share, as well. So, let me adjust my opening statement slightly: This is the final post of the parts of the exhibit I physically interacted with. If I share any more art, it will be more straightforward displays. You may have caught on — since this is the third post on the subject — that I really enjoyed this special exhibition.

AN APPARITION?

We four — Adela, Rocío, Alberto, and I — nearly walked by the curtained room containing this work by Anthony McCall. McCall, born in 1946, is an avant-garde artist who specializes in projected film. This specific piece is part of a series of works that are simple projections that emphasize the sculptural qualities of a beam of light.

AN ETHEREAL ROCÍO.

You don't need to know any of the preceding to enjoy and appreciate the experience of his art. As I mentioned, we nearly walked right by the exhibit. When we entered through the heavy rubber curtain, we found ourselves in a dark room where a spotlight was being projected from one wall onto its opposite. 'Big deal,' I thought. And then I noticed an apparition within the light. A very friendly museum employee came in and told us kindly to "Go into the light." We hesitantly did so. And everything changed. Oddly, staring directly into the source of the light did not blind us even momentarily. We noticed that the projecter traced an outline around the spot on the wall and the outline slowly disappeared only to be slowly "redrawn." The spotlight itself remained at all times. The experience of being within it was fascinating, uplifting, other-worldly. I don't know how long we stayed, however I know we didn't — any of us — want to leave. But we did. I guess it just wasn't our time to go entirely into the light.

BROTHER AND SISTER.

ALBERTO, TRANSFIXED.

ALBERTO GOING CLOSER, WHILE ROCÍO WATCHES.

"ANOTHER RUNNER IN THE NIGHT."
I NEVER GOT HER NAME... AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO HER.

20 comments:

  1. so envious right now. what an amazing display of art my friend...as far as Im concerned you can share as much as you want....I LOVE IT :)

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    1. Monkey Man:
      For me, this was truly an amazing museum experience. I will keep going back in the future to see what else they do.

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  2. It would seem that this experience really affected you in a positive way. I tend to respond best to more traditional methods of artistic expression but I do like to be challenged from time to time.

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    1. Stephen:
      There is so much traditional and historic art here in Spain and, although it can be stunning, contemporary art is a nice change.

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  3. Thanks for sharing all of this great art (not to mention a good old song from my man Bruce!)!

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    1. Carole:
      I will always think of you when I hear Bruce Springsteen. Thanks for introducing me to him in the late '70s!

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  4. This must've been a wonderful experience! Thanks for sharing, as always.

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    1. Michelle:
      I'm thinking of heading back over and taking a "self-portrait" photo!

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  5. Ok, can you believe that I did not know this was a Bruce song? I only knew the Manfred Mann version. Oh, and the art is cool!

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    1. Walt the Fourth:
      Manfred Mann had a hit with it very quickly after it came out, but they didn't have Clarence Clemons on the clarinet!

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  6. Hello Mitch:
    What an amazing and most interesting experience. And how fortunate that you did not, as could so easily have happened, overlook this part of the exhibition.

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    1. J&L:
      Yes, I'm really glad we walked in. But I don't think that staff person would have let us walk by. Definitely a highlight of the visit.

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    1. kisatrtle:
      I haven't enjoyed an exhibit this much in a really long time!

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  8. I loved your descriptions of the whole experience. If I should ever go there, I would want you along to help me get the most out of it!

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  9. I admit that I was pretty clueless about most of your post, but I did want to bite Bruce Springsteen on his bottom lip.

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    1. Maria:
      He DOES have a cute bottom lip. But I've got a friend who said she always wanted to bite him on his butt!

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  10. you are on a roll...Mitch...groovy!

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