Its your Imagination!

"Stars of Lucha Libre" (Joseph Borzotta, artist)

Mystic Eye (Robert Piersanti, artist)

The Joker 60s Batman Cesar Romero

4 Degrees of Cats

What are some themes of the exhibition?

I attended the Palette Gallery in Asbury Park New Jersey. This gallery did not have a specific theme. It was multiple different type of themes. A couple of the themes was called “Group Show” and “Contemplation”. The portraits are all unique and different in here own special way.  Some of the portraits are photoprint, oil portraits or giclee. Giclee is a type of technology that is used for fine art or photograph to replicate using high- quality inkjet printer.  So, the experience of this gallery was different from what I expected, being that it was multiples artists and themes.

How do the artists address identity and the self?

One of the artist that I learned about in this exhibition was Joseph Borzotta. When Joseph paints he tries to explore the relation that people have in society and themselves. “Imaginar Looking at painting there is something out of the ordinary that is going on. Just when you think everything is normal, Joseph throws a little twist that will cause the audience to be confused. “Such fashions in habit of living reinforce the playfulness of inventing our self” (Finkelstein 12). He adds a magic touch to all of his painting. They are supposed to show a visual exploration into existentialism.

What are some critiques of self, identity and perception?

The paintings of Joseph are all great, because it really has the audience think about the painting. When I was at the gallery I noticed that I was not the only one that stepped back and glanced at the painting with a confusing look. I think that is an accomplishment on the artists be half because it makes people want to look at it and defuses what is going on in the painting. One thing that Finkelstein stated that I agree but disagree in this case would be, “The basic ingredients of easy sociality are trust and predictability” (Finkelstein 77). It is always good to keep everything basic and simple but Joseph does a great job in going out the box and taking that extra mile when drawing his paintings.

Describe at least two projects in detail and explain how the projects represent self?

One of the project that I believe represents self would be the four different cats. There were four cats with four different personalities. The four different personalities were: “I can talk (Mickery)”, “Gold Cats (banana)”, “Gold Cats (Pus Pus March)” and “Gold Cats” by Fabrika Ouch. Every cat has a different meaning. In my eye, it is similar to Andy Warhol’s silk screen. The cats on the left looks way more open and friendly but the cats on the two right looks like they are having a bad day and no one should get next to them. They represent self because of the personalities. Everyone has their days, there might be some days that they will be rude or joyful.

The second project that represent self would be one of Joseph paintings. The, “Stars of Lucha Liber Mexican Pro Wrestling Poster”. This oil portrait has a lot of meaning. It is the evolution of Mexican wrestling. I guarantee if there were 5 different types of generations at this gallery and if they were to see this painting there would probably recognized them and talk about how they were the heroes of their era. I bet as a little kid they there their role models and wanted to be like them when they grow up.

What are the artists and curators telling the gallery or museum audience?

The artist is trying to enlighten the audience with a problem-solving trivia, which is interesting. Joseph really has the audience thinking. I believe that there is no right answer to why there are strange things that does on in the painting. It’s your imagination so you are able to think whatever you want.

How do the artists approach the presentation of self and self-portraiture?

It is clear that the artist expressed their self by their painting and it was obvious what type of artist they were. The artist used their creative and their unique techniques to amuse and confused the artist so they can break down the maze that the portrait has painted. This represents self and self-portraiture because you are able tell the story of what is going on in the painting. It’s your imagination and no one can tell you how to think.

Overall, the gallery was a great experience and I learned a lot being this was my first time ever going to an art gallery. I learned a lot about Joseph and Fabrika, from there comorbidity to the reason they express there self. There painting where prefect example of identity and self-portraiture. They require for us to use our imagination in order to analyze the paintings in the gallery. I will always remember, everyone is entitled to their options.

Reference:

Finkelstein, J. (2007). The art of self invention image and identity in popular visual culture. London: I.B. Tauris.