Brad Carlile Photo Blog

Carlos Cruz-Diez Americas Society New York

Something is drawing you through the pigments of a Mark Rothko painting as it is illuminated by Dan Flavin. One feels as if sublimely lubricated with a nice wine. Intoxicatingly delightful.

That is an experience you can have in Carlos Cruz-Diez‘s work “Chromosaturation” that is part of his “(In)formed by Color” at the Americas Society in New York.

It is his first major solo show in the US and it runs until January 2009.

Note: This is a New York show, I won’t have any Portland First Thursday posting this month, sorry.

This show features both a variety of works as well as a three-room installation. The installation “Chromosaturation” fills three rooms that are illuminated by biologically primary colors (Red, Green, Blue). One’s perceptions of the colors shift as one moves around the white-walled rooms.  New colors are created as the lights mix and your eyes experience new colors or overload from the last colors.

This immersive experience is created by the lights, the shape of the rooms, and your movement in the rooms. The images in this blog won’t do it justice as your direct participation is required.

Carlos Cruz-Diez Chromosaturation installation Americas Society New York

Carlos Cruz-Diez Chromosaturation installation red room

The Physichromies—3D paintings in the room opposite of the installation also use color an movement to create an unique experience. Some of these are photographed from different angles to hint at how things change as you move around.

Carlos Cruz-Diez Physichromies 3D painting Americas Society

Carlos Cruz-Diez Physichromies 3D painting

Color is not simply the color of things or the color of form. It is an evolving situation, a reality which acts on the human being with the same intensity as cold, heat, and sound. – Carlos Crus-Diez

The Latin American Icon and Venezuelan artist, Cruz-Diez, is truly a Master of Color. At age 85, works with the eye’s perception of color. The Americas Society website says, “Cruz Diez is considered a pioneer in the use of color as a participatory tool as well as a visionary who pushed the boundaries of art towards everyday life.”

The Village Voice said it was like one had walked into a Albers painting, but that just didn’t do it justice. I know Cruz-Diez studied Albers and Seurat in Paris but his work goes deeper in my mind.

Details:
Americas Society
680 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10021
(212) 249-8950
Wednesday – Saturday 12-6 pm
Please note: The gallery will be closed November 26-30
Show runs until January 2009

Read a Los Angeles Times article about the Cruz-Diez exhibiton.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/culturemonster/2008/10/carlos-cruz-die.html

from wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlos_Cruz-D%C3%ADez

Carlos Cruz-Diez Chromosaturation installation blue room