The forest of the mind, Javier Martén New York Art Expo, 2017

THE FOREST OF THE MIND JAVIER MARTEN

THE FOREST OF THE MIND JAVIER MARTEN

Nature is a temple in which living pillars.

Sometimes give voice to confused words; Man passes there through forests of symbols Which look at him with understanding eyes.

“Correspondences” Charles Baudelaire Much of our mind is dwelling in the deligthfuk or fearful forests of our memories and the mysteries of our desires or uncertainties.

Moreover, for someone like me, being born and living in Costa Rica, the jungles and the forests are part not only of my mind but also of my life, coloring my spirit, my emotions, my paintings and architectural designs.

The forest is one of these great symbols, which have been ever- present in myth, legend, literature, film and others, creative endeavors of humankind. And in my feelings, they live in the blow of the wind, the song of the birds the enchantment of water reflecting greeneries where its waves dance with the wind at the same time as my painting brush moves towards herbal life thriving and savoring, free from any control or cultivation. In addition, since my forest foliage obscures the light of the sun, it is a symbol of earth, where colors bloom and going deeper and deeper and always moving with the wind and the water, which symbolically implies introversion and probing the unconscious.

I present these paintings which are both deeply spiritual and sensual (note the use of synesthesia, the five senses are compromised) because they propose the furtive experiences of forest symbolism without defiling its depth and mysteriousness.

A tribute to Hans Arp through my biomorphic reading of Costa Rican Nature.

Javier Martén

San José, Costa Rica, April 3, 2017

COLLISIONS

Mixed media on canvas, 2014 160 x 220 cm

WATER WELL

Mixed media on canvas, 2016 110 x 75 cm

HYDROGRAPHY

Acrylic on canvas, 2014 135 x 105 cm

JUNGLE PLAY

Acrylic on canvas, 2017 160 x 110 cm

HAPPINES

Acrylic on canvas, 2016 127 x 89 cm

CHALLENGE

Mixed media on canvas, 2017 130 x 220 cm

UNION

Acrylic on canvas, 2014 d= 30 cm

BUTTERFLY

Mixed media on canvas, 2014 134 x 154 cm

CHARM

Acrylic on canvas, 2016 110 x 85 cm

ABSTRACT TOPOGRAPHIES 28 Acrylic on canvas, 2015 135 x 105 cm

ABSTRACT TOPOGRAPHIES Acrylic on canvas, 2014 45 x 36 cm

ABSTRACT TOPOGRAPHIES Acrylic on canvas, 2014 45 x 36 cm

ABSTRACT TOPOGRAPHIES 25 Acrylic on canvas, 2011 60 x 45 cm

GREEN MANSIONS A

Mixed media on canvas, 2017 150 x 100 cm

GREEN MANSIONS B

Mixed media on canvas, 2017 150 x 100 cm

BIRTH

Acrylic on canvas, 2014 122 x 164 cm

ABSTRACT TOPOGRAPHIES Acrylic on canvas, 2011 45 x 36 cm

ABSTRACT TOPOGRAPHIES Acrylic on canvas, 2013 45 x 30 cm

EXPLORING

Acrylic on canvas, 2011 45 x 36 cm

POND

Acrylic on canvas, 2014 101 x 76 cm

KEPLER

Acrylic con canvas, 2015 d= 30 cm

PROFOUND

Mixed media on canvas, 2014 137 x 190 cm

PACIFIC I

Acrylic on canvas, 2014 122 x 60 cm

PACIFIC II

Acrylic on canvas, 2015 122 x 60 cm

REFLECTIONS

Mixed media on canvas, 2015 132 x 203 cm

GARDEN

Acrylic on canvas, 2012 130 x 280 cm

UNIVERSE

Mixed media on canvas, 2013 104 x 82 cm

IN CRESCENDO

Acrylic on canvas, 2016 78 x 54 cm

PEACE

Acrylic on canvas, 2017 54 x 39 cm

HAND

Acrylic on canvas, 2017 54 x 39 cm

TELEPATHY A

Dipthyc, Acrylic on canvas, 2017 216 x 184 cm

TELEPATHY B

Dipthyc, Acrylic on canvas, 2017 216 x 184 cm

SYLVIA

Acrylic on canvas, 2017 100 x 100 cm

CORAL

Acrylic on canvas, 2012 45 x 36 cm

ETERNITY

Acrylic on canvas, 2013 60 x 45 cm

INFINITY

Acrylic on canvas, 2013 60 x 45 cm

TAC

Acrylic on canvas, 2013 127 x 196 cm

GREEN UNIVERSE

Diptych, Acrylic on canvas, 2016 108 x 78 cm

ROSE

Acrylic on canvas, 2017 54 x 39 cm

WORLD

Acrylic on canvas, 2014 d= 30 cm

FIRE

Acrylic on canvas, 2014 110 x 160 cm

MANTLE

Acrylic on canvas, 2014 109 x 69 cm

MYSTICAL

Acrylic on canvas, 2014 112 x 71 cm

ARP

Acrylic on canvas, 2016 45 x 30 cm

SEA OF COLORS

Trypctic, Acrylic on canvas, 2016 50 x 150 cm

ACHIEVEMENT

Acrylic on canvas, 2016 110 x 160 cm

EMERGING

Dyptich, Acrylic on canvas, 2016 78 x 54 cm

ABSTRACT TOPOGRAPHIES Acrylic on canvas, 2012 105 x 95 cm

AKUAKU

Acrylic on canvas, 2014 d= 30 cm

CONECTION

Mixed media on canvas, 2016 125 x 230 cm

FINIESTA

Acrylic on canvas, 2014 112 x 60 cm

NIGHT

Acrylic on canvas, 2014 71 x 111 cm

ABSTRACT TOPOGRAPHIES Acrylic on canvas, 2012 75 x 70 cm

BAY

Acrylic on canvas, 2011 43 x 30 cm

FOREST

Acrylic on canvas, 2014 45 x 30 cm

PLANET

Acrylic on canvas, 2014 45 x 30 cm

MOON

Acrylic on canvas, 2014 135 x 105 cm

CANDIES

Acrylic on canvas, 2014 45 x 36 cm

PEACE IN THE CITY

Diptych, Acrylic on canvas, 2016 40 x 60 cm

CASUALITY

Polyptych, Acrylic on canvas, 2017 20 x 80 cm

“It has been an experience to accompany Javier Martén in his painting evolution. Throughout this process we have noticed how he has become increasingly more comfortable with the use of color and its composition. We are excited to be the stage for this gathering as we feel his work has reached a level of maturity where it can be displayed to the public.

From Fabio Herrera and Mario Maffioli to Federico Herrero there have been many remarkable representatives of informal abstraction in Costa Rica during the last thirty years. national non geometric painting has highlighted internationally, representing one of the Peaks of the costarican art scene. Javier Martén is the latest participant in this trend and we are convinced that he has the elements to be an important contribution to the genre.”

Klaus Steinmetz

JAVIER MARTÉN HERRERO Biosketch 2017

Statement

My visual system is a synthesis of my perception of nature, life and the world.

That world of the tangible and at the same time ephemeral diversity of the forests of Costa Rica that prevails in my plastic proposal that I translate in sensual forms and metaphors.

My gestural and lyric abstract language is as broad as the wind when it blows on the trees, in that constant becoming and getting rid of life.

In my process, the morphologies I portray on the canvas are routes to the freedom of the cosmos and its multidimensional spaces and time, full of color and mysteries to be deciphered.

The colors of nature, the topography of natural territories, the fractalness of rivers, roads and vegetation in front of the movement of light and water, inspire me.

Below is a summary of my biography, with the most relevant studies, exhibitions, awards and publications.

Studies

2016- The Art Student League of New York Pat Lipsky “The Grammar and Vocabulary of Color.

2014- The Art Student League of New York summer program Larry Poons Studio 2013- Nuria Duran, Barcelona, Spain.

2011- The Art Student League of New York, New York. Larry Poons Studio 1996- Robert Reig school of Landscape Architecture L.S.U. BA. Instructor Larry Poons, summer session.

1996- Robert Reich School of Landscape Architecture, L.S.U. U.S.A. ‘Thesis Certificate of Excellence’.

1994- School of Architecture at Tulane University. EUA. 1986- Bartlett School Of Architecture and Planning, UCL. United Kingdom. 1986. The American College for Applied Arts. U.K.

Publications

2017-Francisco Goya International Award Catalogue, curated by Francesco Saverio Russo, Teatre del Liceu, Barcelona, Spain. Serradifalco Publisher.

2017- Art International Contemporary Magazine Issue #3, EA Editore 2017- “Organic Abstraction and Life” by curator Ralph C. Valley, https://curatorial-poetry.yolasite.com/Organicabstraction-and-life.php 2017 February - La Amenaza. Revista Arte Al Límite, por Andrés Isaac Santana 2015 March – Art and Shop. María Galera, Meet the artist 2015 March - Artículo Klaus Steinmentz 2015 February – Conversation between Federico Herrero and Javier Martén

Exhibitions

2017- Milan international art award, by Vittorgio Sgarbi, Theater dal Verme, Milan, Italia.

2017- Caravaggio International Award. Palazzo Bramante, Piazza del Popolo, Roma, Italia 2017- International Goya Award, Grand Teatre del Liceu, Barcelona, España.

2017- Barcelona Biennial, Spain, May 2017 2017- Art Expo New York, “The Forest of the Mind” 2015- Klaus Steinmetz Contemporary Art. “Topografías Abstractas” 2013- Experiencias Únicas, subasta, Fundamentes.

2012- Grupo Contemporáneo, Avenida Escazú. Costa Rica 2012- Experiencias únicas, Subasta, Construyendo Vidas.

Costa Rica 2012- Centro Costarricense de la Ciencia y La CulturaFundación Vida 2012- Casino, Avenida Escazú, Costa Rica 2011- Here & Now. Forum I. DesPacio/ Bodega 02. Costa Rica

Links to my last dossiers

www.issuu.com/arteresponsable/docs/the_forest_of_the_ mind__javier_mart www.issuu.com/javiermarten/docs/book-issuu_2016 www.issuu.com/arteresponsable/docs/the_forest_of_the_ mind__javier_mart

CURATORIAL POETRY POEMS ON LATINO AMERICAN VISUAL ARTS ORGANIC ABSTRACTIONAND LIFE Biomorphism founded by Hans Arp, is a one-man movement inherited by Javier Marten This Costa Rican artist was born in the midst of jungles windy volcanoes and colourful skies where oceans inhabit minds and the sun makes love to every landscape Natural and consistent his visual language is recognized as organic abstraction in addition it is remarkably dependable on his identity and life style in his homeland Wavy forms in his canvases may suggest waves or plants under the blow of breeze Firmly rooted in nature his abstract compositions provide a consistent framework for satisfying the eye

As in nature chance is a collaborator in his art process Rather than looking for a subject as many worldwide artists still do he generates forms and colours first and titles his artworks after completed in this way he avoids the participation of the conscious mind Transformation, growth, fecundity and subsequent metamorphosis are among the dominant themes in his work the asymmetrical flowing of shapes develop in the manner of a living plant or animal these bioinspired approaches have yielded disruptive innovations in art and they still do I feel these paintings by Javier Marten alike the strategies that Natural Selection employs in our Planet are quite energetically and conducive to life a critical distinction between many humanconstructed art processes His artworks follow patterns to solve human vanities

offering resiliency to painting as a bioinspired pursuit instead of conceptual artwork as the head of human based art Anthropocentrism has led us to war and inability to feel part of nature and the role of biomorphic shapes in abstract art bulbous, lush, sumptuous looking forms that are neither representative nor geometric are strangely familiar that is why we recognize them and connect with them on a primal level though we have never seen them before As Bergson did I believe intuition based on experience and instinct is equally if not more important than theories and logic Go on Javier Delve deeper into your work and in time you will go beyond Arp and discern fresh biomorphic systems Ralph C. Valley

2017