Art Center South Florida: Matu
Last month I made my way to Art Center South Florida's Winning Art! Annual Benefit Raffle, an exhibition to raise money for the center - which houses local artists. To me ACSF is the best place to see art in Miami solely for the free entry, changing exhibits, and it's plethora of local talent.
Going through the halls and various studios is always a treat, but even better is going on a First Saturday when the artist's studios are opened and visitors can ask all the questions you want.
Being a pseudo-journalist, I already have a natural tendency to fall into interview mode whenever I meet someone who is involved in the arts, but it's great to see throngs of people walking around and allowing artists to educate them on their art and philosophies.
It's that particular dynamic that makes me focus on one artist: Matu. His studio was one of the last that I visited, but I ended up spending over an hour talking with him.
It all began as my friends and I walked into his studio (because of the amazing array of colors in his paintings) and we began analyzing this particular painting:
While we were throwing around our interpretations, Matu himself came around the corner and listened to our theories.
To break it down, the strength of the painting is in the relationship between the two men within it, and the contrast between them. One man older, the other man younger. The young man's eyes are clear, the older man's eyes are blacked out. The young man focused on the older man, the older man stepping across the tracks. And, perhaps, most importantly is the flow of the "bubbles"; leaving the young man's chest, and entering a mitt that the older man is holding.
The painting itself is absolutely stunning, from a technical point of view, but the strength is when you take the time and let Matu explain his philosophies.
Let me preface this section that I spoke with Matu about a month ago. This reflects my recollections of our conversation, which share a lot in common with my own personal beliefs, but to hear his point of view I recommend you talk to the source himself.
The heart of the concept is in the transfer of knowledge and information. According to him we are standing on a time period which at certain points in history has been called "The Age of Aquarius", i.e. moving out of the age of the sword and into the age of ideas.
We look at where human society has gotten to, and the interconnectivity is mind blowing. The first painting (pictured above), has grown into further art pieces, all focused around energy and interconnection:
Matu is moving away from traditional forms, and exploring abstract ideas, as shown with the flows of crystals and energy as seen within the painting.
I suggest this coming artwalk you find his studio space and spend some time picking his brain. It'll be enlightening, to say the least.
Also, here are some pictures of other works within Art Center South Florida's space:
LINKS
Art Center South Florida's Website (http://www.artcentersf.org/)
924 Building Artist Collective Blog (http://924collective.wordpress.com/)
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- Allison's Art Basel Reflections Parts 3, 4 and 5
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NOTE FOR COMMENTS: Do not flame or leave obnoxious comments, THEY WILL NOT BE APPROVED. Constructive criticism should always be welcomed by any artist, but don't be a d-bag, show some class. Thanks. - REVMiami Staff
