E-MAIL
ME UPDATES! SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE!
! SUBMIT
ARTICLE !
|
|
|
The Albuquerque Fresco
by Ilia Anossov is a paradigm of a brilliant modern fresco. Its technique is on the
Grande scale. Viewing it is reminiscent of watching a gigantic film, for this fresco incorporates not only cinematic techniques, and reminders of the most brilliant art, but also resounds of the painting of late modern artists with a flair for whimsy, like Jean Miro, and Paul Klee. At the same time there are images and techniques which evoke paintings of early masters. God pointing a finger in creating MAN comes to mind. The size and art of the fresco imparts a larger than life enveloping feeling, as one gazes at it. One cannot recapture the reality of the fresco at a website, but only get a faint idea of the scale and imagery.
|
"Albuquerque
Fresco" by Ilia Anossov (detail) |
|
|
"Early
Logging" Fresco by Lucia Willey |
|
"Fresco is the most beautiful and enduring of all the plastic
arts. Part of the wonder is that at its completion, the beauty of the work has just begun to
radiate. Over the years, while the fresco feeds the hearts and souls of those fortunate enough to abide under its
splendor, the chemical process of carbonization continues within the wall, continually increasing the visual unity and luminosity of the
work." (Lucia Wiley)
|
|
|
|
It is as though the fresco artists have honed a living and breathing creature Fresco is public art rather than "elite" art.
It is also a common effort of the artist, plasterer and others
involved in the process. Frescoes created for all people to see and enjoy,
and do not require extensive education to understand and analyze
their significance. Granted there will always be scholars and art critics who take apart every art work, but frescos are made for the
collective enjoyment. Frescos depict the most cherished cultural aspects of any civilization in their
attitudes. At this moment in time, we are plagued with technology. Do we answer the phone, check e-mail, burn a CD, or download a file? Hi tech stuff! Viewing a fresco puts one in mind of
timeless, labor intensive, painstaking work. It's at the opposite pole . If you looked inside the
plaster as a fresco is created, you would see how the water soaks in and draws in and manipulate the pigment. Here, the
artist and the plasterer become one with the art work, being careful to watch for "spots" that need brushwork
immediately. In viewing and executing frescos, one reaches for the sky, contemplates lofty aims, strives to define essence. |
"Albuquerque
Fresco" by Ilia Anossov (detail) |
|
|
|
The cave of Lascaux
|
Fresco is an unique form of painting. The oldest
fresco, painted on cave walls, has outlasted many other forms of painting. Fresco endures, environmentally because of its
mineral nature therefore resistant to the effects of time, and aesthetically because fresco art
equally applies to the populace and to the elite. It is art for all. |
|
|
|
|
|
Michelangelo
|
Frescoes are paintings on freshly spread lime plaster, with water-based pigments. The word is high German originally, came into Italian, and means "fresh". Fresco is a collaborative art. One person cannot execute a
fresco. It requires teamwork, stamina and creativity. It is also a public
art. The history of fresco art goes back more than 30,000 years, dating from cave walls on which the people drew figures to mark their activities, passions and
culture. They depict oceanic concepts: love, hate, liberty, brotherhood. Many early frescos incorporated
allegories; so, there were universal themes rather than personal themes to indicate the truths of human
experience. The modern forms still depict civic figures and heroic ideals. It is different from other art forms since it blends with its
surroundings. Traditionally, frescoes are not framed; the building's interior presents the frame. Some of the lofty ideals in fresco are painted to indicate
'arete', the ancient Greek word for
honor or moral perfection. Today, we would say arete refers to principles. |
"Albuquerque
Fresco" by Ilia Anossov (detail)
Questions?
Post in Forum
Cafe al
Fresco - "Ilia's Albq. Fresco" forum.
To
commission a fresco click "Get
Quote"
Proceed to "Preparation"
to view pictures
only click "Slide
Show"
To purchase fresco
supplies and lime putty click
Introduction
to "Albuquerque Fresco".
Preparation
Cartoon
Painting
Documentary
Documentary "Albuquerque Fresco - Inside
Look". Documentary by Emmy Award Winning producer, Amy
Bowers ABTV. Pre-order form and details. Free introductory video.
|
