“Peony Intelligences: Patterns, Conversations and Dynamics” Exhibition
Ashok Jain Gallery
This event has ended.
“Peony Intelligences: Patterns, Conversations and Dynamics”
By Michelle Zhuomin Cai Sun
Plants have intelligence. Plants can sense, move, dance, sleep and search for the sun. They communicate with other plants and insects. Plants, flower scrubs and trees have brains according to neuroscientists. Trees in nature communicate with and support each other to form complicated networks for survival and better ecological growth. In this exhibit, the visual images are created to show peony intelligences, adopted from Howard Gardner’s multiple intelligences. Like other flowers, peonies show mathematical intelligence forming the Fibonacci curves, circles, numbers, and the golden ratio of 1.618. Also, my peonies are positioned to dialogue with each other revealing their interpersonal intelligences. They converse with each other showing personalities and moods such as laughter, whisper, garden talk, spiritual dialogue, bosom share and infant talk.
Interestingly, my peony speaks with scientific intelligence. One of my flowers Peony-Space is a floral image crafted from a pink Paeonia suffruticosa named Tianyi 天衣enveloped by clouds to address the power of empty space. There is a fusion with the philosophy of Laozi, dated sixth century B.C.E, that states the driving force of a wheel not through the spokes but the empty space within. This ancient insight is consistent with the principle of quantum physics that explains, inside an atom, the protons and neutrons as governed by quarks, the empty space within which is constantly moving like a bubbling soup. This vacuum is full of quantum fuel fluctuations that possess an enormous amount of energy. These vacuum fluctuations are essential for our existence. Like in Peony-Space, the space is created with a pulling energy that keeps the flower in motion, the blossoming vigor and the force of life.
Ashok Jain Gallery is pleased to present a group exhibition featuring the works of Marc Deppe, Dan Obana and Zohar Wallach, Fernando Pomalaza and Maria Bernal.
Marc Deppe is an American artist who was based in China as a artist and teacher. As he says ” I continue to ask the questions, “What works?” “What doesn’t work?” “What IS work?” “What ISN’T work?” This process of self-reflection can only be done honestly through human effort, discipline, and will”. In his art and life he has and continues discovering possibilities for growth, understanding, and spirituality amidst simple-minded use of technology, material excess and social conformity.
“What is a Teacher?
-A good Teacher is someone who in any learning situation or environment facilitates openness rather than imposes or submits to the social and material concerns of the community or society in which he lives.
-A good Teacher is not a clown (too much performing, silliness, playing games) or a robot (pretending to be interested, a “nice” guy, standing in front of the classroom looking good).
-A good Teacher doesn’t overly on technology or a clever ability to social network.
-A good Teacher has taken the time and has the inner strength and courage to develop a mature understanding and appreciation for human growth regardless of cultural and language differences” – artist expresses his vision.
Dan Obana represents Japanese digital art scene since 2003 and has been exhibited widely at international art destinations such as Fukuoka, New York, Bangkok and Tokyo. Obana uses the most advanced 3DCG technologies to create the art that has never been seen before. “The 3D digital world in which I create my works is full of opportunities to encounter by chance”, says the artist. Using the computer graphic technique to build multi-faced compositions and his intuitive creativity artist blurs the lines between reality and imagination. All compositions are instinctively but actively built, layer by layer to reveal the surreal world of imagery. “The process of grasping and adding more imagination to the accidental scene encountered by chance and inflating the image through trial and error is very attractive to me”, explains Obana.
An associate member of the Japan Print Association, he has won a number of awards, including the Excellent Work Prize at the Asia Graph exhibition.
The artist found his attraction to surrealism in the works of Max Ernst and Hans Bellmer. “They lived through the World War I, and recognized the limits of the pursuit of rationalism”, Obana says. “They looked for clues to solves this predicament through the unconsciousness, much like Sigmund Freud”. Using technological advancement to his advantage, Obana embarks on a journey similar to Ernst and Bellmer trying to find answers in depth within. Obana’s works create the dialog not only between artist and viewer but also between the mind and body.
An Israeli native, Zohar Wallach began her artistic practice after experiencing the dramatic landscape
She got an art degree in Haifa University and over the years developed her unique style of work through applying layers of bio-paint, pigment and sand onto
the canvas. Working with her hands, she modifies each layer by peeling and distressing it, while adding new pigment as she goes along. Marbled texture combinations emerge from the surface, mirroring the artist’s own methodical process. Each piece progress within several weeks, sometimes months as the different layers eventually dry to become a new denotation.
change following her move to Canada in 1998.
Evocation of the natural in her works vividly project a sense of space, depth and movement, presenting
to the viewer reflections on the forces of the natural world.
Exploring depth and substance she connects
visual essentials through color, texture and form. The idea of capturing the essence of time leads Zohar towards wondering of each and every moment of life.
Zohar’s works are being sought after by corporate and private collections all over the world. The artist resides in Calgary, Canada. Zohar has been exhibited throughout the Europe, Canada and US.
Fernando Pomalaza is a native of Peru living in NY and doing collages in all media reflecting his culture.
Maria Bernal is a Spanish young lady exploring works in oil, and print making.
Media
Schedule
from October 03, 2018 to October 28, 2018
Opening Reception on 2018-10-05 from 18:00 to 20:00