"Summer Blues" in the Arts

Presently at Lichtundfire in Manhattan’s Lower East Side, the group art exhibition “Summer Blues” is on exhibit. The exhibition showcases the works of accomplished and talented artists’ artwork where the color blue is the main theme. Concept and curation is by Priska C. Juschka.

Reception: Thursday July 21 from 6–8 PM

The reception coincides with LES THIRD THURSDAY ((Lower East Side Galleries’ receptions and walk-thru where LES galleries are open late till 8 pm)

Facebook event’s link: https://www.facebook.com/event...

Exhibition’s Dates: June 29 — July 23, 2022

Gallery’s Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 12–6 PM

Lichtundfire is located at: 175 Rivington Street
New York, NY 10002

For further info about the exhibit, visit:

https://www.lichtundfire.com/l...

For this special “Summer Blues” art exhibition, artist Vian Borchert, wanted to introduce “Yves Klein Blue” in her paintings made especially for this exhibition. Klein Blue is a vibrant blue color attributed to the late French artist Yves Klein who had developed it in the 1960’s. Borchert has been inspired for many years by this deep blue due its radiance and brilliant tone. Thus, when Borchert was informed about the “Summer Blues” exhibition, the artist jumped on the plan to re-introduce Klein’s blue in her new cityscape works to create a stunning visual impact in bringing forth her unique vision and abstracted NYC skyline paintings. Not only is blue the artist’s favorite color, but in blue she seems to swim into another world, and fly into another universe. Coincidentally, in a very bizarre but also tragic twist the creation of the artwork fell in a time where the artist was going through the blues due to the sudden death of her aunt. Upon hearing about her aunt’s death, there was a sense of uneasiness in her life not only due to the loss, but to the world falling apart because of the war in Ukraine along with the spiral downfall of a number of issues throughout the world. Inevitably, the bad news is way too much for humans to absorb — So, What is one to do? What is an artist to do amid such blue and uncertain times? With this, the artist couldn’t help but delve into her own wonderland of colors, shapes and creation. Through the art, Borchert started reflecting and mirroring the type of world that the world has arrived to. In “Summer Blues’’, Borchert intended to go beyond the self and challenge oneself to explore the unexplored while still reflecting on the difficulties of the current events the world is facing. Upon creating this body of work, Borchert is remembers Pablo Picasso and how he completely got absorbed and almost got stuck in his “Blue Period” after the suicide of his best friend, Carlos Casagemas. The death of Picasso’s best friend haunted Picasso for a long time where he fell into a deep depression. Yet, in his bluest of times and bluest of paintings that is when his best of work emerged. The melancholy of death, the nightmares and ghosts that appeared in his blue canvases, speak to V. Borchert louder than any of his colorful work.
It is that similar raw honesty that Borchert also aims to bring forth in this new work. The buildings now stand tall, yet almost crying covered with blue rain telling a different story of a Summer that fell into the blues. However, this overcast summer is so beautiful in its deep blue shades of cobalt blue, indigo blue and “Yves Klein” blue. It is in this primary color that we allow ourselves to fly and swim, fly into a blue sky and swim into the deep blue. Consequently, truth be said, tragedy unfortunately makes good art!

The latest blue paintings’ series created especially for the “Summer Blues” exhibition reflect on a city fallen into a deep blue mist. Hints of hope are evoked through the white stripes and glistens of light that fall upon the city’s skyscrapers and facades. Lines merge to bring our eyes to the buildings that stand tall almost like rockets ready to launch into outer space. The buildings, although fallen into a deep fog still stand tall looking up towards the sky reaching and symbolically projecting that despite how distressing the state of things are, one has to look up! One has to dream! One has to reach for the stars! One has to have hope of a better sunnier tomorrow regardless of how overcast it is today. One has to persevere and carry on!

The titles of the paintings also present a window to the thoughts behind the works. Here are the thoughts behind the paintings pictured in the article:
“Blue Flag” means we’ve reached a situation where we need reform for matters to shape up in our lives. Note though It’s not a white flag — we haven’t surrendered or given up. Blue, although symbolic of sorrow, yet it can also echo the color of a brilliant sky where one can dream upon and hope for a better tomorrow.

“Edgy Blue” presents a point where one is on edge due to hearing all the incoming tough news that pierces the soul. The painting brings our eyes to the light buildings that illuminate the dark blue canvas while imploring one to rewire the hope within one, and to get out of the blues that had befallen one.

“City Blues” showcases a city fallen into dusk filled with shadows of doubt but still manages to stand tall beyond the blues to express its resilience and reveal its subdued beauty and strength.

On the whole, the art engages in an intellectual dialogue of why blue still manages even though it is associated with melancholic connotation to present a powerful message through its subdued hues along succeeding in igniting the soul to reflect and refresh on matters at hand.