Odilon Redon 1840 - 1916
Living first such a retiring life nothing pointed out in his
younger years Redon would develop himself towards the famous symbolist
he became. And although becoming a very distinguished
character by the end of his days, he always remained rather private.
While he was still living
in Bordeaux one could even say his life was lacking a little color. His
art most certainly did. Till he moved to Paris his work was strictly
created in blacks and whites. He specialized in this period in charcoal
drawings and lithographs.
It was due to an religious
crisis he had to endure, that he came in touch with deeper dimensions of
the mind. More colorful and daring. Because of all this he moved to Paris
(in 1870) and from this moment on his work showed a colorful outburst of
weird creatures, insects and flowers.
Forces which till these days
and ages had been slumbering in our sub-conscious had since the arrival
of men like Freud and Jung found itself channels from where they could
bubble up more easily to our conscious. Creating much more space in the
minds of human beings and artists like Redon showed us, by the meaning
of their art, a way to integrate this in our daily existence.
The exclusive focus on our
photographic vision got much more spectacular and complete when the layers
of our collective subconscious became less hermetic and brought us in touch
with far more richer realities.
Since then the work of many
artists became even visionary.
In a short period of time the human mind
started to change drastically.
And what popped up from Redon's mind in a flamboyant and cheerful way, - something what almost
seemed to overcome him - developed by Ernst Fuchs towards an almost clinical
accusation against fascism. While Redon's
art was
still centered around the symbolism in vegetation, flowers and mythological
subjects, the later surrealists and abstract artists could effort themselves
even more liberties, just because of earlier pears like Redon.
They all
teached us how to look at things in a more pliant way. A skill we badly
need to become ready for the current earthquake awaiting us: virtual reality!
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