PROJECT WINDOWS; ART INSTALLATION AT WATER TOWER PLACE, CHICAGO
A LOVE LETTER FROM ONE ARTIST TO ANOTHER
This isn’t the kind of love letter like those exchanged between artists’ Eva Hesse and Sol LeWitt, Georgia O’Keeffe and Alfred Stielglitz, Virginia Wolfe and Vita Sackville-West. Although, those are some of my favorites. The love letter I wrote are the works of art currently on display at Water Tower Place as part of The Art Institute's Project Windows.
Being that Van Gogh’s work has inspired me since childhood, it’s fair to say I’m sharing my love for Van Gogh. As I sat with the exhibit and devoured the catalog, a confession of love seems appropriate. It was Van Gogh himself who, in a letter to his brother Theo and dated September 18, 1888, wrote “the more I think about it the more I feel that there’s nothing more genuinely artistic than to love people.”
I can't say at what age I was introduced to Van Gogh, but at a time when most kids hung posters of their heart throbs on bedroom walls, I had a poster of Van Gogh's Irises.
Having had a childhood that was largely self directed, my early years were spent creating with whatever materials were available, including nature's supply. In the forest, moss became carpet, fallen branches were turned into forts and drawings were made under the umbrella-ed light deep in the woods of the Laurel Mountains of Western Pennsylvania. With no internet and cellphone to self educate, learning from other artists came from library books, an occasional school field trip to the museum or (really going to date myself here) Encyclopedia Britannica. Van Gogh’s work spoke to me early on.
I'm sure I wasn't conscious of it at the time, but I was drawn to an artist's artist. His relentless curiosity led to experimentation with new techniques and styles. Van Gogh pushed the boundaries of what was considered acceptable in the art world. He wasn't afraid to take risks, even when it meant going against the norm. His brushstrokes were bold and expressive, conveying a sense of emotion and feeling that was unprecedented in the art world. His bold use of color and brushwork were considered revolutionary and still captivate.
As an undergraduate in art school, we had numerous assignments where students were asked to pick a favorite artist and create a work inspired by said artist. For the purpose of this writing, I searched and searched for a photograph of a freshman year project. No luck- couldn't find it. We had to create a portrait of a famous artist and the portrait was to be divided into a nine grid, with each section of the grid being completed in a different material. I chose Van Gogh's "Self-Portrait", 1887 which ironically enough, opens the current blockbuster exhibit at The Art Institute of Chicago. (You can read more about it on my previous blog post)
Although Van Gogh was not recognized as a great artist during his lifetime, he persevered in his art and created some of the most iconic and emotionally impactful works of art in history.
When I look at Van Gogh’s work, I see an artist who was bound to his curiosity and longing to understand life through nature. I imagine an artist whose brushstrokes were not just marks on a canvas, but a reflection of his innermost emotions and thoughts. His work was/is empathetic, capturing the struggles and joys of the human experience. His love of nature, which he spoke of so often in his letters, is something that I deeply connect with too, finding solace and inspiration in the beauty of the natural world.
Van Gogh's life and work continue to inspire artists around the world. His art remains a testament to the power of creativity and the human spirit. For my installation at Water Tower Place, I hoped to create with a variety of materials, including AI as reference to today’s Avant Garde and to honor the process of play and experimentation Van Gogh embraced.
BEHIND THE SCENES MAKING OF THE ARTWORKS ON DISPLAY
The beginning of a new piece for Project Windows.
Pulling inspiration from Van Gogh's olive trees, nature and flowers. I focused on connecting the dots to the Avant Guard of Van Gogh's time to issues of today's current climate. Nature, as used for inspiration by Vincent van Gogh, Georges Seurat, Paul Signac, Emile Bernard, and Charles Angrand, is a common theme to explore among contemporary artists. In a time when health and wellness is a hot topic, I wanted to convey a playful sense of peace through envisioning a tea party under a friend's special backyard tree, expressed in a playful stroke or two.
Soft Pastel on ripped cotton rag.
Re the second drawing in back:
Years ago, when I had a studio in the Fine Arts Building, I'd visit the Art Institute frequently- not just for the art, but to have lunch in the gardens. There are additional gardens located just South of the Museum, towards the Fine Arts Building that I've photographed many portrait clients in over the years. I wanted to create a portrait of Van Gogh in one of my favorite spots but I didn't have a photograph of the exact spot. I crafted something similar to the feel of it using AI, and then drew the charcoal piece on linen via looking at it on my phone. What would Van Gogh think!?!
LOVE LETTERS AND CORRESPONDENCES
I mentioned a few of my favorite love letters written between artists in my above post, but did you know Van Gogh is said to have penned over 2,000 letters in his lifetime? Van Gogh was passionate about sharing his feelings and ideas. Many of his letters, especially those to family, have survived. HIs brother, best friend and supporter, Theo, was the recipient of most of the letters. Van Gogh was not as careful as Theo was in saving the correspondences. Thankfully, Theo saved Vincent's with great care.
SPECIAL THANK YOU
Thank you to the team at The Art Institute of Chicago and Oak Street Design who've invited me back each year to participate in this special project. It's been a unique opportunity to play with some of the Greats and to create some fantastic partnerships all in the name of ART!
ALL WORKS ON DISPLAY ARE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE. CONTACT THE STUDIO FOR DETAILS.
WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!
phone: (800) 373-4155
email: info@annlatinovich.com
portraits web: www.annlatinovich.com
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Ann Latinovich Studio
Bridgeport Art Center
1200 W. 35th Street
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Chicago, IL 60609
OUT AND ABOUT
SEE THE EXHIBIT:
VAN GOGH AND THE AVANT-GARDE: THE MODERN LANDSCAPE
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Art Institute of Chicago
DETAILS HERE.
VISIT MY INSTALLATION AT WATER TOWER PLACE:
Fifth floor directly off the central glass elevators. Next to Sephora.
WATER TOWER PLACE
835 North Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611
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