The Mystery of Art

What is it about the 21st Century Art World that makes it different than the 20th Century? Or for that matter that makes it different than the 1st Century?

Mostly population. Let me explain.

We know that prior to the 1st Century, thousands of years before then even, that early cave dwellers practiced sculpture and graphic arts. Imagine if you can, that in the midst of hardship and survival, there were artists who "needed" to express themselves in a creative way.

In the 20th Century, which is the period that almost all of the most famous artists, if not all, that we study and know about, whether Van Gogh, Leonardo, Monet or Warhol, artists too needed to express themselves creatively.

Could we make a statement that Leonardo's art is better than Warhol's? Opinions vary whether Monet or Van Gogh were "better" artists, but serious contemplation leads the observer to the conclusion that the artists expressed themselves differently and some may enjoy Monet more, others Van Gogh, but it isn't a matter of skill necessarily, but preferences--opinions.

Now what about value? Mere mortals don't get to own a genuine Leonardo--at least not many humans--I guess the Pope's living quarters has one or two. What about cave dwellers art? Is it valuable because of the story associated with the artist? Of course not, we have no stories of those artists. Still the value of those artifacts is beyond the price you'd pay for a sketch my daughter may have done in kindergarten. As priceless as the kindergarten art is to me, the perception of value, to the masses, of the rock with cave drawings, is much higher.

My theory is that what we're dealing with is opinions. Which has nothing to do with the feeling all the artists, since antiquity, experienced and compelled them to create.

Fast forward to 1961. Gino Hollander was a successful film maker in NYC, living the life many people would have bragged about and cherished. But for whatever reason, Gino wasn't satisfied and felt an urge to express himself with an art form he felt would be more fulfilling to him.

Without any formal training or experience he started painting. Even after having moderate success early in his painting career in Manhattan, he moved his family to the Southern coast of Spain, without resources, contacts and without being able to speak a bit of Spanish.

What moved him? What was the spark that went through him and compelled him to create those early works he was producing on canvas in 1962? What is the drive, that even today, when he is 89 years young, enables him to produce paintings, sometimes more than one in a day's time?

I don't think any of us can measure that mystery. What enters an artist's being to come out as self expression of feelings? We can be thankful as viewers of art that the mystery surrounds us and permeates the universe, but thankfully, it is beyond our scope of intelligence to fully understand it.

So "stuff" that surrounds the art world, like critics, assessors, auction houses, magazines, and a flood of "stories" about artists, probably have little to do with the mystery--the spark--that leads to the creations we call art.

Gino Hollander is a breath of fresh air when it comes to describing the process that he experiences. "I wouldn't even sign the canvases if it wasn't for the fact that it creates so many problems from the "business side," of the affair," I paint with feelings. Don't ask me what the mountain range is in the painting or who is that particular face in the painting. These are feelings. That's it. The canvases should speak for themselves. Don't ask me to explain them. I don't do that."

To hear Gino talk about a new subject that he paints with vigor "The Universe Story," helps you, as an art enthusiast, follow the evolution of an artist's style. In a way, Gino's  "Universe" canvases embody the mystery of art.

Population has created the significant difference between the art world of the 21st Century, compared to that of the last 100 years. It is a vastly complex world, with thousands of connections. For some of us, it is a world we choose to dwell in, to work in, to be associated with. In my case, much of the reason I'm in it, is because I get to meet and become close to people, such as Gino Hollander, who never ceases to amaze me.

Maybe I'm hoping that some little part of that spark will rub off on me.

This video will require almost an hour to watch it from start to finish. I post it here for those who are ready to immerse themselves in the intriguing life of Gino Hollander and his family. Beautifully created by his friend and associate Jonathan Kloberdanz , the video will entertain and educate and give you a glimpse at the thing we can't explain, the mystery of art.



Art and the Artist - Gino Hollander from Gino Hollander on Vimeo.