Description
"Anastylosis of Natural Worship" presents itself as a profoundly contemporary and engaged reinterpretation of a transformative moment in Van Gogh's work, here illustrated by "An Alley in a Public Garden in Arles." By reimagining this piece through the prism of subrealist abstraction, I propose a metaphorical reconstruction of ancient nature cults, using the term "anastylosis" in its archaeological sense—the method of reconstructing a ruined monument—to symbolize a resurgence and aesthetic recomposition of nature's sacred remains.
In this approach, the work unfolds through a layering of media: Van Gogh's original painting is enriched with layers of acrylic paint and digital elements, all integrated within a minimalist architectural structure of painted wood-based cardboard to confer a tangible three-dimensional dimension without the use of 3D modeling tools. This technical choice aims to maintain the organic, human, and sensitive nature of the project, emphasizing the importance of materiality and emotion in the creative process, while engaging in a dialogue with the modern digital universe.
The "Xanthopsia" collection, or yellow vision, adds an additional dimension to this reinterpretation. It symbolizes an altered perception that draws from utopia the ability to discern light even in darkness. The black pixel placed at the center of the work, a true point of meditation, serves as a conceptual anchor, inviting the viewer to explore the interstice between chaos and harmony, between darkness and luminosity. This contrast, highlighted by the abundance of surrounding life, reflects the complexity of human existence and the inherent duality of our relationship with the world.
On a philosophical level, "Anastylosis of Natural Worship" questions how contemporary art can reconcile the past and the present, the traditional and the digital. It is a bridge between eras: the layers of a classical work are superimposed on technological innovations to form a profound meditation on time, memory, and the continuity of artistic experience. My approach obliterates purely digital artistic interventions in favor of a reworked materiality, thereby affirming a desire to preserve the human and sensitive essence of artistic experience, emphasizing emotion, tactility, and the artist's presence.
Finally, this hybrid and subrealist approach, both contemplative and resolutely modern, reaffirms the transformative power of art. It demonstrates that contemporary techniques can enrich the understanding of classical works, while opening new avenues of interpretation and personal connection. By rethinking Van Gogh's iconic work through the prism of a renewed cult of nature, the artist offers a nuanced reading where past and future, tradition and innovation, combine to offer a profound meditation on our relationship to life, art and the very essence of our existence.
tribute to Van Gogh : Path in the park
see original at: Kröller-Müller Museum
format / media / size / speed / éditions
3840 x 2160 px / mp4 / 116 MB / 8 fps / 1/1