The Smell of Art

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You may agree that art is in a sensorial experience. However, when you visit a gallery or a museum you are only allowed to look at the art. They might be playing some background music. That covers a second sense. In some gallery openings you can sip wine and eat something while appreciating the art. Three senses covered. Touching the art is off the question. But why? Those textures are so tempting. You want to touch. Don’t you? Some artists don’t mind people touching the art. Specially sculptures. You are allowed to touch sometimes if you ask nicely. That covers four senses. How about smell? Do you care about the smell of the gallery or museum? Do you care about the smell of art? Smells can trigger memories, images, and even bring back past experiences to the surface.

FreedomIn Sigmund Freud’s Bread Pudding Case Study, the patient was connected to her childhood trauma through the smell of bread pudding which triggered memories of her suffered abuse by her father. All memories don’t have to be sad. They can trigger happy thoughts too. In fact, smells can trigger all kinds of memories. Not only memories but also emotions and sensations. Marcel Proust knew all about it. In his poetry, Proust connected vivid descriptions of the outside world from his rest bed. He could not move out of his room physically but the aroma of fresh baked bread travelled into the room taking him away all because he remembered that smell from when he was a child.

I confess that I smell my hands when I work with clay. It takes me back to the college days at the studio. Sometimes I sniff my finished sculptures. It is a way for me to confirm they are ready for show. When I enter a gallery I breath in. The smell of the gallery sets the mood before I look at the art. If the smell is not pleasant I turn around and leave. While appreciating a piece I keep my senses alert which serves as a neurological bridge that interconnects neurological receptors for a longer lasting connection.

Making Art Fun

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Humans are naturally inclined to art. Some people are more sensitive to art than others but we are all attracted to it somehow. For some people art is an escape from their norm. It is not about pursuing an art career or a long-term learning experience, not even a hobby. They just want to have fun, a good time, something to break away from the routine for a few hours. Sculpting and painting parties are making art fun for people. There are no formalities or expectations. It is all about having a good time.

“The wine and art event with Dr. Ivan was very fun. It was a great way to relax after a work day, and I found myself lost in my sculpture, not thinking about or worrying about anything at all. A great release. This would be a great thing to do for a birthday party, or special event…learning a new skill, sipping wine, and becoming immersed in art and sculpture with friends. Dr. Ivan did a great job of teaching, but also allowing everyone’s own personality and design to be present.”   

– Megan Micola 

Photo Jul 29, 8 27 43 PMThey arrive to find all the supplies ready to sculpt or paint. At the beginning you can feel how some are nervous and maybe scared to try out something new and different from them. Most people arrive to the parties with little or no experience whatsoever. Some come with friends, family, or a date. Some people make new friends and acquaintances. It is always fun to see how they compare each other’s skills as they go. Moreover is  great when they get immerse in the process.

“Recently, I had the pleasure of attending Dr. Ivan Tirado’s Sculpture Class. I came to the lesson with some friends of varying artistic abilities. We were all able to find our creative voice and enjoy the class regardless of our creative backgrounds. Many know Dr. Tirado is a gifted sculptor, but he is a masterful teacher as well. We learned about the proportions of the human form and how to use these new tools and techniques to explore them. No one felt the least bit intimidated on this adventure together with Dr. Ivan guiding the way! We all enjoyed this class and learned something new and are planning to set up another class soon.”

– Michele Kelly

People just need to relax and have a drink while creating their own masterpiece. I personally guide people step by step and try to make it entertaining. It is great to see how they impressed themselves with what they accomplish during just a few hours.  They take home their piece and brag about it to their friends. This is something that can be done for birthdays, bachelorette parties, girls night out,
employee appreciation and other company events, networking, or just to do something different with your friends.

“I would like to take a moment to thank you for helping us pull off a surprise “sculpting” birthday party. We all had a blast and had something to show for the fun time we had. I must say, I truly thought my lump of clay had no hope! Ha ha Luckily, you know how to teach and guide a class of giddy mimosa drinking gals! We all left surprised at how well our “torso” turned out. Thank you so much!! Can’t wait to do it again!!!”

– Stephanie Pelizzari

You can read more testimonies and request more information here.

On Art Nouveau

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IMG_4117Before I knew what Art Nouveau was I was already drawing using organic forms, nature, and using the figure in this environment. During my college years, now that we are on the subject, I was unable to relate myself with the style. I guess I was too focused in following directions and finishing projects than finding myself and my style. A few years ago I began creating again and trying to figure out myself in order to answer the question, ‘What is your style?’ In a conversation with a colleague she made me look at pictures of art nouveau. That answered my question. My style is art nouveau. There is no doubt about it. There is no shame either. We understand each other well.

Art Nouveau was a movement that appeared at the end of the 1880s and disappeared at the beginning of the 1900s with art deco. I see art nouveau as a new baroque with less clouds and fabric but with more nature. That’s just my definition. That energy of the baroque is still latent in art nouveau. On the other hand, I believe art nouveau gave a new life to the human figure of the renaissance. The figure in art nouveau uses the figure somewhere between renaissance and baroque. The figure is involved and immersed in the nature and organic shapes but not completely dominated by all the energy it portrays but more like a calmed balance.

FullSizeRenderI was hooked on art nouveau even before I knew about it. I use the ‘whiplash’ through all my work. It made me feel at times that I was born in the wrong time. Now that society is more and more inclined to the organic and natural, and nature I think I’m in the right time. My new collection in process is more art nouveau than never before. The new bas-reliefs will not only be on a wall, they will dominate the wall. The sculptures abide with nature and embrace it in a rhythm of waves, vines, leaves. The figure rests and celebrates this environment. I can’t wait to have this new collection complete and revealed.

Art Beyond Myself

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Making art because you love art is the most important aspect to maintain a flow of satisfaction in the river of creativity. It is that personal enjoyment that allows artists to keep trying, exploring, expressing, and perfecting. We want to love what we do. We want to get better at it. We want to improve our technique and explore other ways to bring our ideas to life. We want art to be our vehicle of expression. That inner examination of our thoughts and emotions is what keeps our art alive. We want to make a living out of art as well. It is a goal to live out of what we love to do. All of the above are legitimate and totally justified reasons with value on their own. Is there anything more or anything else that our art can accomplish beyond ourselves?  Or is art all about us as artists?

Idleness

Idleness. Private Collection in NYC.

This week I was asked to write a ‘Mission Statement’ in which I had to articulate my purpose and intentions for creating art. The mission statement required a clear plan or goal I want to accomplish. I personally believe that the aforementioned purpose makes my art be all about myself and by doing that when I die my art will die with me. That made me rethink and reconsider the reason for my limited existence in the physical world. This mission statement was already in my thoughts and my heart, but it is a good idea to put it together in one declaration that shows intentionality. It also serves to prepare myself for a larger dream I have that I won’t mention at this time. While it is still taking shape I want to share it with you. This is my mission statement so far:

To present each piece of art, each exhibit, each class, party, workshop, conference, and presentation I provide to help people reconnect with themselves, with memories, feelings, and experiences that have been suppressed or forgotten as a stepping stone towards healing of the soul. 

I am not really concerned about acceptance in museums and galleries. It would be nice and I will appreciate it if it happens but it is not my purpose for making art. As I said, I have a different dream. I want to make art beyond myself. I want my art to reach people much more than just visually. I want my art to speak to people and help them heal the wounds of the past.

Make Art Accessible

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showThe art world seems to be socially stratified as some ‘selected group’ of individuals decide what is art and what is not, who is an artist and who is not. The elitist fame of art is not a new trend. It has been like that for many years not only in art acquisition but in art education. No wonder why it is marginalize from the education system. If people can’t find a practical purpose for art education it will always be the first thing to be cut away when funds are limited. Let’s have something clear, when I speak about ‘education’ I am not talking about formal academic education alone but knowledge. When I speak about practical purpose I am not referring to art as objects you can use but knowledge you can expand to different domains. The problem is that only a ‘selected group’ get to understand the ‘mysteries’ of art like it is something out of this world. Some explanations appear to be in a language from another planet to which some people can’t relate to. The opportunity to reach people gets lost in translation. Even a trip to space begins with training on earth. You don’t take people outside our atmosphere to then teach them how to wear the helmet that would keep them alive.

Yes, art has a language of its own. Yes, art should speak by itself. No, we should not explain a piece of art to people. Yes, there should be a connection between the art piece and the individual for it to be meaningful. However, it requires sensibility and wisdom to help people relate to  what they are feeling and thinking in a tangible way because after all art is about human experience not reserved for the ‘elite’ but for all. Art is an experience to be shared by humanity. We are all born with artistic tendencies but we only grow up to pursue these tendencies and appreciate them when given the chance. It also takes courage to engage people in the creative process and to be creative themselves. Yes, art is not for ‘everyone’ in a sense but who are we pick and choose to whom it is for? Why not letting people decide if art is for them or not?

Do not misunderstand me. I am not talking about giving away our creations for the sake of art. That might just ruin the purpose of making art accessible. People should always pay the fair value for a piece of art. When people have a connection with specific artwork they will find a way to get and that would make them appreciate it more. What I am talking about here is about opening the doors and make art accessible and inviting people to engage in the arts with words and actions they can relate with. If only the ‘elite’ can acquire art pieces, that is fine by me, let it be an opportunity for artists to keep creating. Let us keep what makes it art: the human experience.