Friday, December 18, 2009

Modern Art


How did Modern Art Emerge and Why?


To understand how modern art emerged, we need to focus on the realistic stage of painting. Realism was born as a need for change, disillusionment with the political events triggered after the French Revolution of 1848. Realist artists begin to take an interest in social issues. Industrialization was causing a disappearance of the craft and as a result the formation of a working class who worked in urban centers. The material conditions of existence of this new class, were causing  alterations that were reflected in changes of ideologies. The artists begin to develop a social conscience because of the harmful consequences caused by adverse social and economic conditions (employment of children and women, long hours, and harsh living conditions). Realist artists assumed an attitude of social engagement with these realities.

The objectives of these realistic paintings were to represent  human beings in their daily lives. The thematic repertoires included miners, quarry workers, peasants, washers and other characters of the new class of proletarians.

Gustave Courbet (1819-1877) is considered the father of modern realism. The selection of his themes were causing  controversy because of the elements that made up the vulgar. For example, the display of the painting "A Burial at Ornans (1849), aroused much controversy because of the context in which characters were absorbed by a bleak and depressing atmosphere that exposed the viewers to the harshness of daily life.


Jean Francois Millet (1814-1875) is one of the great realist artists. He was the son of poor peasants and was a great representative of the Barbizon school. This school’s main goal was to make direct and objective studies of the wild, with the intentions of reflecting their feelings in the paintings. They were the precursors of painting outdoors. While the Barbizon school was focused on the study of landscape, Millet was concerned with reuniting the figure of man with nature. His thematic repertoire was dominated by peasant labor, and the toughness and simplicity of country life in all its aspects. The Gleaners (1857) is his most representative work of Realism.


The transition from realism to modern painting is defined by art historians as a period of art that emerged in France in the late nineteenth century and extended until 1970, which starts the contemporary period. Modern art is born due to a change of attitude, a vision of breaking the order established by the realist painting. The concept of Modernism in art is related to the poet and writer Charles Baudelaire. In the newspaper Le Figaro, an essay entitled "The painter of modern life" appeared   for the first time in 1863, in which the poet defines modernity as a feeling of finding a new identity. This new attitude of the artists was linked to industrial and technological development of cities. Their thematic repertoires would have to be a reflection of the urban contexts in which they were submerged.


The thematic and technical change from Realism to Impressionism is related to the works of Edouard Manet (1832-1883). Manet is considered the father of modern painting. Manet is the artist who puts into practice the ideas of the modernist poet and writer Charles Baudelaire. Some of the works he made during the sixties were, Concert in the Tuileries (1862), Street Singer (1862), Breakfast in the Grass (1863), Olympia (1863), The Fifer (1866), and so on.

These works are framed within the realist tradition of Courbet, but they change the perspective from the countryside to the city. The main features of Manet's paintings are painting as a personal vision, as artifice (something made with skill), interpretations of the sensations that one feels in nature, a new way of seeing the painting.


Impressionism was born in France, as a movement of artists concerned with the study of light on the bodies or objects in their natural environments or daily scenarios. The main characteristics of the impressionist style are: the artist cares about the sensations they perceive with their eyes, the visual impressions are to be transmitted, objects or bodies lack proper color, the light on objects or bodies change with the atmosphere, day, season, etc. The colors are not mixed on the palette, but apply directly and separately on the canvas.


The most representative painters of the impressionist school are: Manet, Monet (1840-1926), Alfred Sisley (1839-1899), Camillo Pissarro (1830-1903), Corot, Pierre Auguste Renoir (1841-1919), Degas (1934 -- 1917).


Post-Impressionism


Post-Impressionism has been defined as a group of artists with very particular styles, that translated on to in their canvases, visions of modern life, with very personal emotions and expressions. The characteristics that are more representative of post-impressionism are: ;use of bright colors, use of impasto brush strokes are distinguished, the themes are based on real life issues, emotional and expressive treatment of the subject. The most representative artists are: Paul Cezanne, Paul Gauguin, Vincent van Gogh, Henri Rousseau, Georges Seurat, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec.


 Expressionism is an artistic movement that was born in Germany in the first quarter of the twentieth century (between 1905-1925). It is characterized by the expression of feelings and emotions of the artist as the objective representation of reality.


The fundamental characteristics of expressionism are: the distortion and exaggeration of the forms, exaltation of emotion over the representation of external reality, the expression of inner visions, use of strong and pure colors, the composition is aggressive.  The artists that are most representative of the movement are: Ensor (1860-1949), Edvard Munch 91863-1944), the group "The Bridge", the group "Blue Rider" painters like Franz Marc, Kandinsky, Klee, among others.


The historical avant-garde that emerged in the early years of the twentieth century were: Fauvism, Cubism, and Futurism.

In the interwar period, a series of paintings emerge that gives more emphasis to fantasy, the irrational, and the dreamlike qualities of their creations. The precursors are Henri Rousseau, Marc Chagall, the metaphysical paintings of Giorgio de Chirico, and Marcel Duchamp.


The 1950s and 1960s saw the emergence of abstract expressionism, pop art, optical art and minimalism; in the late 1960s and the 1970s, visual art movements appear like land art, conceptual art, body art, digital art, etc.

Modern art through its historical discourse has made possible the formation of an artistic consciousness deeply rooted in the urban problems of social, political and economic issues that afflict both developed and undeveloped countries. The modern artist has a very strong commitment to fulfill in the context of their social environments: the need to transform their communities, strengthen their democracies, and to be the voices of the people who clamor for justice, peace and love.



Prof. Frank Polanco/President of the Board of Directors/ADAVA


Historical Moments of ADAVA







Successful Series of Art Exhibits and Annual Meeting



MANHATTAN-N.Y. The Alliance of Dominican American Visual Artists (Alianza Dominico Americana de Artistas Visuales) has been presenting a series of art activities such as:  photography, painting and drawing exhibitions, since the month of June, that has drawn a massive participation of the community and its membership. It also carried out the first annual meeting of members, last June 20, at the exclusive Tower Conference Room of the Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital of Columbia University. The vice president, Robert Paulino, founding member, artist and cultural activist, greeted the public with words of welcome. Then professor Frank Polanco gave a detailed power point presentation, explaining point by point, the social and legal responsibilities that the organization 501 c3 dedicated to the development of the visual arts, has to assume; relying on his educational experience derived from eighteen years serving as an educator in the city of New York.


Ezequiel Jiménez, presented and submitted a structural organogram by which the organization would operate; initiating the second phase of the project named “Alliance of Dominican American Visual Artists” (ADAVA). The organization would be runned by a board of five directors (artists and nonartists), which could be expanded in the future in accordance with the best interest of the organization. Also there would be an advisory board formed by active founding members and former presidents and a council of consultants.


For the formation of the board of directors, a table of legal note taking (table act) was formed and led by honorary members: Mr. Don Ramón Delgado, Rafael González, Romulo Díaz y Ricardo Patiño.

Immediately, the first formal board of directors was constituted and conformed by:


1.Frank Polanco, Teacher, artist and art critic (President)

2.David Ulloa, digital artist (Secretary)

3.Don Ramón Delgado, (Finance)

4.Narciso Polanco, artist (Public Relations)

5.Mr. Rafael González, (Public Relations)


Then, all the legal documents of the state of New York were given by Ezequiel Jiménez, leader and founder, Robert Paulino, member founder, Maybol Ramírez, Frank Polanco and David Ulloa, who served as temporary directors, during the starting phase of the project, to the new board, also documents of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the bank account.



Rene de los Santos and José “Artie” Parra, artists and founding members of ADAVA were satisfied, because from December 19, 2004, when the artist Ezequiel Jiménez convened the first meeting to form the institution, they have worked hard and tirelessly to reach the second phase. Mr. de los Santos and Parra both stated: “we feel happy because since we started the organization, we have seen a flowering of the visual arts in Upper Manhattan, plus our community needed an institution for the visual arts, and not only that, it is managed by ourselves”.

Frank Polanco thanked the founding members and nonfounders, he also promised to lead the organization along the path charted by its founders. Finally, he made an announcement to the lovers of the arts, inviting them to visit the painting exhibition “Filling Our Neighborhoods with Colors” at the Gallery Space ay Russ Berrie Medical Science (1150 of St. Nicholas Av.) and the Lasker Biomedical Research Building (3960 Broadway entering by 166 Street). The exhibition was announced to be on display until July 31, 2009. For more information the numbers to contact are: 212-854-1324, 646-821-3830, 917-756-6144.


Profile of the Directors


Frank Polanco (President of the Board of Directors) was born in New York, but raised in Dominican Republic. He is an artist, art critic and teacher. Mr. Polanco graduated from Lehman College City University of New York with a M.Ed in education. He has demonstrated efforts and sacrifices in helping the organization succeed.


David Ulloa (Secretary) is a digital artist and a valuable member who has made important contributions towards the  development of the organization. Ulloa was born in the Dominican Republic and lives in New York for eight years. He has a Bachelor in technology from New York City College of Technology.


Don Ramón Emilio Delgado (Finance) is a very faithful honorary member. He migrated to New York in 1957; he has been a cultural and community activist for about thirty-five years. The community of artists has baptized him with the name of “Godfather of the Arts in Upper Manhattan” because of his permanent support in developing the arts.


Narciso Polanco (Public Relations) outstanding photographer and artist, has merit many international awards. He has been living in New York for more than twenty years; he is also a very prominent and respectful member of the organization.


Rafael González (Public Relations) has been an honorary member since 2005. His experience in different organizations, devotion for the arts and permanent support to the organization, has earned him respect.


Momentos Históricos de ADAVA



MANHATTAN-N.Y. – Con una participación masiva a los respectivos eventos de la comunidad, así como de su membresía, desde el pasado mes de junio la Alliance Of Dominican American Visual Artists (Alianza de Artistas Visuales Dominico Americanos), ha venido realizando una serie de actividades de arte, desde exhibiciones de fotografías, pinturas y dibujos; asimismo su primer encuentro anual de miembros. Dicho encuentro se realizó el pasado 20 de Junio, en el exclusivo Tower Conference Room del Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital de Columbia Univesity.



Con las palabras de bienvenida en nombre de la institución, el vice-presidente y miembro fundador, el pintor y activista cultural Robert Paulino dió inicio al encuentro anual. Luego el prof. Frank Polanco, hizo una presentación detallada en power point, donde hecho mano de sus recursos como educador por mas de 18 años en la ciudad de Nueva York. Polanco explicó punto por punto, todas las reponsabilidades sociales y legales que debe asumir la institución 501 (c) 3, dedicada al desarrollo de las artes visuales.


Ezequiel Jiménez, luego presentó y sometió el organigrama esctructural por el cual se regirá la institución, iniciada la segunda fase del proyecto llamado ‘Alliance Of Dominican-American Visual Artists’ ADAVA por sus siglas en Inglés. Dicha organización estará dirigida por una junta de directores (artistas y no artistas) de 5 miembros, la cual podría ser ampliada en el futuro de acuerdo al interes de la organización. Así también una junta de asesores formada por miembros fundadores activos y ex-presidentes; y un consejo consultivo.


Para la conformación de la junta de directores, se procedió a levantar una mesa de acta encabezada  por miembros honorarios, el Sr. Don Ramón Delgado; Rafael Gonzalez; Romulo Díaz; y Ricardo Patiño conformaron dicha mesa.

A seguida se pasó a constituír la primera junta formal de directores, la cual quedó conformada de la siguiente manera: Prof. Pintor y crítico de arte Frank Polanco, Presidente; el artista digital David Ulloa, Secretario;  Don Ramón Delgado, Finanza; el artista Narciso Polanco y el Sr. Rafael Gonzalez, Vocales.


Conformada la junta de directores, se le entregó todos los documentos legales del estado de Nueva York, asimismo documentos del servicio de rentas internas de EE UU, y cuenta banco.  Dicho documentos fueron entregados por Ezequiel Jiménez, lider fundador; Robert Paulino, miembro fundador; Meybol Ramirez; Frank Polanco; y David Ulloa quienes servieron de junta temporal durante la fase inicial del proyecto.


René De Los Santos y José ‘Artie’ Parra, artistas-miembros fundadores de ADAVA desde los inicios hasta el presente, dijeron sentirse sastifecho porque desde el 19 de Diciembre de 2004, cuando el artista Ezequiel Jiménez nos convocó a la primera reunión para fundar la institución, hemos trabajado duro y sin descanso para llegar esta la segunda fase.  Nos sentimos contento porque desde que nosotros comenzamos hemos vista un florecer de las artes visuales en el Alto Manhattan, además nuestra comunidad necesitaba una institución para las artes visuales, y lo mas interesante que esta es manejada por nosotros mismo.



Frank Polanco, agradeció a  los miembros fundadores y no fundadores, asimismo prometió conducir la organización por el camino trazado por sus fundadores.

Por ultimo hizo un llamado a los amantes de las artes, para invitarlos a que visiten la exhibición de pinturas ‘Filling Our Neighborhood with Colors’, en The Gallery Space en Russ Berrie Medical Science, en el 1150 de St. Nicholas Av. & Lasker Biomedical Research Building del 3960 Broadway (entrando por la caller 166).  La muestra  estará exhibiendose hasta el 31 de este mes. Para mas  información pueden comunicarse al 212-854-1324, 646-821-3830, 917-756-6144.

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Nota-perfil de los directores:


 Frank Polanco (Presidente de la junta de directores), nació en New York pero creció en la Rep. Dom., es pintor, crítico de arte y profesor. Polanco tiene un master en educación de la City University Of New York, Herbert H. Lehman College; y un historial de esfuerzo y sacrificio por la institución.


David Ulloa (Secretario), es artista digital y un valioso miembro que ha hecho grandes aporte al desarrollo la institucion. Ulloa nació en Rep. Dom., y vive en New York por 8 años; tiene un Bachelor en technología del New York City College of Technology.


Don Ramón Emilio Delgado (Finanza), es miembro honorario de larga data. Emigró a New York en 1957, y ha sido un actvista cultural y comunitario por mas de 35 anos. Los artistas lo han bautizado como el “Padrino de las Artes del Alto Manhattan”, por su respaldo permanente al desarrollo de las artes.


Narciso Polanco (Vocal), destacado fotógrafo y pintor, ha sido ganador de varios premios internacionales. Vive en New York por mas de 20 años, y es un destacado y respectado miembro de la institución.


Rafael González (Vocal), ha sido un miembro honorario de la institución desde el año 2005. Su experiencia organizativa, devoción por las artes y respaldo permanente a la organización  le han Ganado respecto.












Sunday, December 13, 2009

Wilfredo Lam








Wilfredo Lam Parte 2

Artista Universal                                                                               

Friday, December 11, 2009

Salvador Dalí



Salvador Dalí Parte 2




Paul Gauguin, el eterno salvaje


Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Annual Competition


SlowArt Productions presents Emerging Artists 2010, the eighteenth annual competition for group exhibition, and awards. Open to all artists working in any media this event is devoted to the discovery, introduction and promotion of emerging artists. 

Self Portrait Ink on board 32” x 40

Ben Tolman