‘The highest purpose of art is to inspire. What else can you do for anyone but inspire them?’ Bob Dylan
Few days ago, trying to chase away the ‘fall blues’, while having my morning coffee I have noticed that finally the sun was rising above the sky, which faintly promised for a pleasant weather for the rest of the week. Taking another sip of my latte – still feeling quite uninspired- I said to myself – ‘I wish something spectacular has happened’.
When I opened my mailbox, I’ve noticed that there was something waiting for me there. It turned out that my blog had few new ‘followers’ which, of course, made me very happy. Among them there was an alert about a writer called Kim (author of a very nice online read called ‘Peace, Love and Patchouli’).
As a faithful believer in low of attraction (‘ask, believe, receive and show gratitude’), I sensed instinctively that I should pay a return visit to my new reader (zipsrid.wordpres s.com). To my delight, right there, at Kims blog, I’ve found profound words by a poet and illustrator, Jan Walsh Anglund that I’ve found very meaningful and used for the title of my new post.
So now we know for sure. It is not the artist who speaks.
It is the ‘the life’ within the artist that has much to say.
‘Life’ is the very reason why creative people ask questions everyone else is too frightened to ask. The artist ‘speaks up’ to open the locked doors inside of peoples souls, to make the hearts grow, to help those who seek an emotional and spiritual survival.
As a matter of fact, the recent news on Nobel Prize in literature has been yet another great example where not the artist, but ‘life that speaks on his behalf, has been awarded.
In a real world nobody would have ever consider giving a Noblel Prize in Literature to a rock star, a rebel in a leather jacket with a cigarette in his hand. But an inspired poet who speaks about ‘real life’ and the difficult times he lived in, ‘will do’. Absolutely, no shadow of doubt.
A poet, ladies and gentlemen,does classify for that kind or international recognition.
As recently informed by international press, Bob Dylan has been distinguished with the most prestigious literary reward “for having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition”.
Some conservatives and skeptics may wonder if the artistic ‘body of work’ of a music star should be equal to the work of writers such as Günter Grass, John M. Coetzee or Samuel Beckett? But if the art of Dylan changed peoples life’s and nurtured many generations long after his greatest popularity – why should we doubt his genius?
‘The Bob Dylan Case’ has again convinced me that the real art does not like to ‘go by the book’. On the contrary, it prefers to stay unconventional, unpredictable and sometimes even shocking. It is not ‘the theory’ but ‘life’ that makes the art and artist win and stand out from the crowd.
Armando Alemdar Ara, ‘Dream II’, Private Collection
In my last post I promised to say more about Armando Alemdar Ara based on the conversation I had with the artist while in London. It is not accidental, that I started my post from mentioning Bob Dylan, the poet and musician, as I came to the conclusion that both artists have got a lot in common. Even though they represent different art genres and use different tools and approach towards art.
What matters is that they are both poets (Armando is then ‘a silent poet’), humanists and there is a mystery within their art. According to an article published in ‘The Guardian’ on the 13th of October:
‘Dylan’s lyrics reflect both deep nihilism about the human state of affairs and sometimes idealism about human encounters, one-on-one. Ever since the advent of the nuclear bomb, he has summed us up pretty well. He isn’t just a writer — he has a perspective.’
The same eclectic approach applies to the art of visual artist, Armando Alemdar Ara. He isn’t just a painter — he has a perspective of a philosopher, of somebody who has lived thousand years and understood the dilemmas and moral problems of humanity and knows how to ‘speak’ about them so they become more bearable. His art seeks idealism, in human form, in the energy that the body produces and spreads around.
Armando Alemdar Ara, ‘Ariadne’, Private Collection
The presence of ‘Life’ in Armando’s artworks brings to mind different masterpieces of greatest masters such as Michaelangelo or Durer.
Michelangelo, ‘A Male Nude’, c. 1504-1505, Teylers Museum, Netherlands
Armando Alemdar Ara, ‘The Challenge’, 2016, GX Gallery
If you look at that kind of paintings , you’ll feel tempted to identify yourself with the subject matter in the most ‘private’ way. It is something that touches the roots of your existence, just like the poetry does and lets them work their magic’.
Armando Alemdar Ara, ‘Prometheus’ (Homage to Michelangelo), GX Gallery, London
During our fascinating conversation that took place in the heart of London, Armando explained where his inspiration comes from:
‘I paint only the ideas that I have explored and learnt about. In my artworks I present concepts that have occupied me for a long time and have been settled in my mind. As a matter of fact to develop an idea on canvas is a complex, lengthy process that is time-consuming almost like meditation.’
There was one particular painting, ‘Icarus’, that I found especially intriguing. This artwork successfully captures a very important part of human nature. The curiosity, the need of taking risks that sometimes might be stronger than ‘common sense’:
Armando Alemdar Ara, ‘Falling Is Also Flying’, 2015, GX Gallery, London
Michelangelo, ‘Study for the Libyan Sibyl’, 1511, Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET)
Michelangelo, ‘Head Of A Young Man’, c. 1516, Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, UK
‘If I choose Icarus, as a subject matter of my art, I think about the meaning of this myth with all its symbolical and philosophical implications, I bring my discoveries to a conclusion until I end up with a single concept. This abstract concept is the one I then challenge myself to transpose into canvas. When I get down to work on that painting, my mind might still be unsettled – and therefore I start asking myself questions such as “Did Icarus just fail because of his arrogance or was it just youthful ignorance? Could it not just have been an innate ambition of humankind to improve itself in a search of freedom? Could ‘falling’ be the same as ‘flying’? Isn’t the experience of failure necessary to reflect on our weaknesses and appreciate success later? Can I not paint this event as an empowerning, beautiful experience?”
When we talked about Armando’s art 10 years ago and how it has changed throughout the years – the artist revealed:
‘Back then I was in full flow of creation, painting and producing a lot of work. When I reflect on it now, it was perhaps too much work produced too quickly. Now I find myself revisiting some ideas that I had merely brushed over without sufficient thought and consideration. My exhibitions were sell out and maybe this affected the speed of my painting and development of ideas. For painting I used sketches from ballet and contemporary dancers during their rehearsals. This is after all how I developed my own style, by showing their energy and forms of movement as physicality equal or even more accentuated than their actual body.’
(c) Camille Litalien
I also wanted to learn more about the people who posed for Armando’s artworks – that point was also explained in detail by the artist:
‘There was one particular dancer that became my muse during that period, Camille Litalien (currently Assistant Professor of Dance and Movement at Utah State University’s Caine College of the Arts). I sketched hundreds if not thousands of drawings of her. As a matter of fact I rarely turned them into paintings, apart from 2 or 3. I used these drawings later for many paintings. The movement of her body was incredible and her mind understood my mind and what I wanted as an artist.’
(c) Camille Litalien
In the book that has been published by GX Gallery that Armando has given me some time ago there were two sketches that I found very powerful and striking – ‘Abandon’ (2008) and ‘Hope’ (2005).
Armando Alemdar Ara, ‘Hope’, 2015, GX Gallery, London
As I learned later from the artist both artworks present the same muse – Camille.
‘I’ve done it very quickly’ – said Armando – ‘With just a few impassioned gestural lines that captured the essence of movement. I must say that I get the idea first, the abstract concept, e.g., ‘Hope’. Then I think how I could present that concept visually, which pose would be best. Camille knew this instinctively, to the core of her being, so she was able to embody each concept effortlessly, like a Mozart of dance.’
(c) Camille Litalien
At the end of our conversation I asked Armando, how would define the act of painting:
Armando Alemdar Ara, ‘Venus’, 2016, GX Gallery, London
‘Painting for me is like meditation. The very act helps me notice my thoughts, and let them go. Sometimes I ‘see’ myself painting at the easel, I guess some would say, I leave my body. I ‘see’ my thoughts, how they come and go. I don’t do anything with them, my hand are moving as if they did not depend on my mind. I don’t have to think about which color to choose next. After a while, the conclusions come naturally, by themselves, both into my mind and on the canvas. Everything is in a flow and movement.’
When I think of Armando’s work and poetry of Bob Dylan or the work of any other artist – I can see the constant strive for perfect expression in poetry, in music, on canvas, the need to touch the core of our humanity – as ‘that element’ that brings the artistic work to the next level.
It is the journey to find the right pose, the right stroke, the right word or note that matters and which makes the work valuable. It is the movement of ‘Life’ that the artist whispers trough the chosen medium of expression : ‘The floor is yours, teach me, I am listening’.
(c) Nacho Ormecha Photography
It is the act of breaking through the limitations of body and mind, it is accepting the challenge and taking risk even if one could fall:
‘If after out death they want to transform us into any tiny withered flame that walks along the paths of winds- we have to rebel.
What good is an eternal leisure on the bosom of air, in the shade of yellow halo, amid the murmur of two dimensional choirs? One should enter the rock, wood, water, the cracks of gate. Better to be the cracking of floor than shrilly transparent perfection’.
Zbigniew Herbert, Polish Poet (translated by Czeslaw Milosz – Nobel Prize winner in Literature, 1980)
(c) Zbigniew Herbert
16 October 2016 at 15:55
Reblogged this on Richard M. Ankers and commented:
Please take a look at this wonderful post by, Anna.
I’m a strong believer in the power of words and Dylan was worthy of his Nobel Prize for some of his single lines never mind his entire portfolio. Also, Armando’s explanation of the medatative state whilst painting is so like me when writing that it’s freaky.
Enjoy
Richard
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16 October 2016 at 19:01
Thank you kindly Richard for reblogging my post- I do agree with you, the ‘legacy’ of Bob Dylan is timeless – what he wrote does inspire now and will inspire in the future. And yes – there is so much depth in all that Armando said about his ‘creative process’ and I am sure so many artist feel exactly the same, ‘the flow’ that makes you forget about the rest of the world (and this state is sometimes absolutely necessary in order to create something breathtaking). Wishing you an inspired Sunday dear Richard;)
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16 October 2016 at 19:57
Thanks, Anna, you too. 🙂
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16 October 2016 at 15:56
You were right, Anna, I lapped up every word. PS I took the liberty of 🙂
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16 October 2016 at 19:06
:):) I am pleased you enjoyed the read:). Let me quote the favorite Dylan’s piece of poetry – from the song – ‘Visions Of Johanna’ – (1966) – ‘Inside the museums, Infinity goes up on trial/Voices echo this is what salvation must be like after a while/But Mona Lisa must’ve had the highway blues/You can tell by the way she smiles’
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16 October 2016 at 19:59
I have a terrible memory, but if I could quote that would be a really good one. 🙂
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16 October 2016 at 16:18
Reblogged this on gardenliliepub and commented:
Seeing the art and thoughts on Bob Dylan of his Nobel Prize. How many roads … ???
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16 October 2016 at 19:09
Yes, indeed Caroline (thank you for commenting and reblogging), isn’t that amazing – the endless power of art that tells us so much – by the way, Dylan was so right about us, women – in one of his songs – we really do ‘ache just like a woman/ and break just like little girls’ 😉
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16 October 2016 at 19:13
Dear Anna, you have once again “out done” yourself with this amazing and insightful article.Your style of introducing the subject of your work and how you proceed from your starting point to the ideas and conclusions that you are pointing out to us readers and your followers is an example of the art of writing taken to the genius level. Your genius writing skill is on display as you expertly plant the seeds ,early in your introduction ,of the ideas you want us to be thinking about as we read your article which are so cleverly supported by your use of illustrations and quotes along the way.Your writing skill lets the ideas suggested in your opening flow masterfully gaining all the necessary support and strength as we read through your article and find ourselves illuminated with the ideas of your conclusions as if they came naturally to us , but of course, it was your brilliance at writing that made us see the light as you envisioned it.
When you write about Bob Dylan and Armando it is obvious to me that they are both visionaries. and deserve your attention . We can easily see that they are instruments of change in society and culture that are not necessarily recognized for their greatness by the people of their time.Although there are many that do in 2016. You did a magnificent job in explaining their greatness and how they are forcing change in the thinking of their time through the force of their insightful art.Their own genius work speaks volumes on their behalf. Your interview with Armando was amazing and illuminating. As a musician who improvises I can relate to having an idea in your mind as you play and letting the idea flow out through your fingers with just thinking about what you are hearing in your head and letting your fingers execute that what you are creating in your mind. Your presentation of this is no less than masterful and expert.
I think it is important to recognize these people that cause change in our thinking and our culture. With that in mind I hope you recognize that you are one of these amazing persons yourself.
Your ability to recognize Armando for his contributions to future change in art in your lifetime and for you to see the future is in my opinion part of the same genius that Dylan wrote about and Armando paints.Your selection of these people to write about clearly demonstrates my point that you ,too will change how humanity thinks and sees things through your amazing ability to see the future and clearly articulate your thoughts and ideas through your equally amazing ability to write for us, your readers.
Thank you Anna for this amazing article, Please enjoy a blessed and beautiful rest of Sunday:)
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18 October 2016 at 13:29
You just made my day. Even if a cloudy morning here right now, your words brought up rays of light shining through the smoke rings of my mind. I was so moved by the ideas you exposed that I had a tear in my eyes, especially when you said “Some conservatives and skeptics may wonder if the artistic ‘body of work’ of a music star should be equal to the work of writers such as Günter Grass, John M. Coetzee or Samuel Beckett? But if the art of Dylan changed peoples life’s and nurtured many generations long after his greatest popularity – why should we doubt his genius?” because i just identified myself among those whose lifes were drastically changed by Dylan art and influience. I can see also how his art, as it will surely happen with Armando’s art will still be causing the same effect on other people for centuries as much as Mozart, Beethoven, Günter Grass, Gabriel Garcia Marquez or Samuel Beckett did and still do. And I am so grateful to you brilliant exposition of these relevant concepts and impressed by your words that I will always keep faithful to your blog from now on, reading every article you may write. I will also share now this article in my blog, as I think it must be spreaded all over the blogging world. Thanks a lot for the great labour you are doing, Anne.
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18 October 2016 at 18:45
Louis, your wonderful comment is really flattering, I am speechless. It means so much to me that you shared with us the enthusiasm about all that you learned from my post, you are more than welcome in the very exclusive Big Art Theory Club<3 And yes both Armando and Dylan are exceptional – it is an honor and blessing to live in 'their times'. Have a beautiful Monday my dear Friend.
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18 October 2016 at 18:56
Thank YOU Anne, it’s my pleasure, indeed, and I feel honored to be welcome to your very exclusive Big Art Theory Club. I really had to share what I learned from your post, it was All so relevant to the concept of my own blog.
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18 October 2016 at 19:00
Have a wonderful Day Too.
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18 October 2016 at 13:39
Reblogged this on El Coleccionista Hipnótico and commented:
You should all read and share this brilliant article about the life within the artists that actually speaks by themselves, bcause it talks about the real meaning of art itself in the most insightful way one could imagine.
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18 October 2016 at 14:30
I like Bob Dylan this post is grest. So is your blog
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18 October 2016 at 18:39
Thank you kindly:) I am touched with your beautiful comment, have a beautiful rest of the day
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18 October 2016 at 18:44
You’re very welcome you too have a great day
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18 October 2016 at 18:41
Thank you dear Monsieur for this wonderful comment. I have to say that the part about the relationship between Armando and his muse Camille touched my heart very deeply – especially when we think of the high intensity and volume of sketches that have been created by the inspired artist. And yes dance and art have got so much in common – they make us move in the space that is accessible only for those who let their spirit fly – people who embrace the most beautiful and most vulnerable part of their hearts.
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20 October 2016 at 17:39
I was searching to find El Coleccionista Hipnótico, to thank him for reading my blog and the follow. I think I may have hit the wrong blog though and I also think that I may have changed his sex by referring to him as a “she” in my reply to some comments he made. So sorry for this mistake. I hope this message gets there eventually.
The art work which I have discovered unintentionally, is exquisite.
Reply
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28 November 2016 at 00:58
Reblogged this on From 1 Blogger 2 Another.
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