"Restless” Oil on Board, 12” x 24”
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“The function of the artist is to mythologize the world.”
– Joseph Campbell
The work of Joseph Campbell and his ideas about the role of the mythological informs Gil’s aesthetic and gives his audience a lens through which to enter Gil’s world and imagination. |
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As the holidays approach, we are mindful of how grateful we are for every little thing. We wish you and yours an abundant, rich, magical season!
- Marianne & Gil, December 2009
Magic Realism, Part 1:
Toward a New Definition |
Although Visionary Artist Gil Bruvel’s work resists labels and categorization, it has often been called magic realist. Gil himself rejects this label not out of disagreement with the ideas or work of magic realists themselves, but out of what he says is the inherent limitation of using the term “magic” to indicated that “something extra-ordinary--something beyond normal human experience--is happening in the art.”
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 “Flower Dance”
Gouache on Board,
22” x 10 1/8” - View »
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All too often, he says, contemporary works of art are categorized as Magic Realism because they seem illogical or strange, or they pit seemingly “real” elements against unreal or “magical” ones to produce work that appears to exist outside the natural or real world. “When we use this definition,” says Gil, “Magic Realism becomes a container for art and literature for which there is neither a good definition, nor vocabulary, nor understanding.” Besides, he says, “Art puts me in a timeless space where my ideas are most real.”
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 Instead of illuminating the art and plumbing its depths, this rudimentary definition of Magic Realism, argues Gil, “all too often continues to shroud the work in mystery.” What follows, he says, is a kind of distancing between art and audience: “We can look at a magic realist piece and, instead of understanding it or accepting it as a part of the ‘real’ world, we put distance between ourselves (our ‘reality’) and the art by labeling it magic or “unreal.” It’s more useful he says, to think about Magic Realism in a new way and rescue it from this either/or proposition and approach: “That the world exists in strict categories that we can label either ‘real’ or ‘unreal,’ ‘magic’ and ‘mundane,’ seems as absurd as it is unhelpful.”
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Reconsidering Magic Realism
Gil’s view of Magic Realism seeks to reconsider its boundaries and open up the way audiences experience the art. “If we think about Joseph Campbell,” says Gil, “who says ‘the function of the artist is to mythologize the world,’ then I think we can see Magic Realism as an exploration of more profound imaginative realms, ones that need not necessarily exist as separate from the world, or as some other form of ‘reality.’” According to Gil, the artist who mythologizes the world uses his or her aesthetic and subconscious as “the landscape for exploration of possibility, whether it is imaginative experience, collective personal mythology, dreams and visions, or the intuitive world.” In Gil’s work, the resulting symbols and colors, figures and stories, forms and landscapes not only dissolve the gap between “real” and “unreal,” but also help audiences imagine and expand their perception of the world.
Thus, says Gil, “this way of thinking about Magic Realism seeks to expose the link between the conscious and unconscious minds--with their distinct landscapes and ways of perceiving the workings of the universe—so that the mystery of the transformative process, that process of individual growth and movement, may be, if not revealed, then at least contemplated.” According to him, this is why, so often, magic realist canvases are filled with what seem like contrasting elements or organic forms interacting with structures: “They can produce something that is part human, part idea, part consciousness, and part spirit—and that’s really interesting!” In the end, says Gil, “good Magic Realism attempts to ‘ride the mystery,’ as Joseph Campbell would say, the great unknowable engine that is at the center of all life.”
“La Conversation”
Oil on Canvas, 20” x 30”
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Plumbing this mystery is difficult says Gil: “Although we may not be able to ultimately express the mystery, to locate it in time and space, we can approach it with a vocabulary of images and metaphors through art and mythology and dream in which we collectively and individually participate.” Thus, Magic Realism, through its use of metaphor and images, lays a common ground for humanity, a kind of common mythology, one in which audiences and artists, alike, can each find a place for, and a piece of, themselves. “By participating in this collective mythology, or mystery,” says Gil, “we become the creators of our own stories, the heroes of our own personal myths.” To be continued….
The unveiling of Gil’s new work – the studio looked fabulous.
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Fantastic Austin Events & Art Unveiling
In case you missed Gil’s 50th Birthday Bash, here are some pictures from the event. A fabulous time was had by all!
Guests enjoyed a weekend filled with exciting events including a Texas BBQ and band, art demonstrations, receptions, dinners and more!
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Guests tried their hand at some Texas Skeet Shooting!
Attendees enjoying a retrospective of Gil's work from the 70's through the early 80's.
Live Bronze Pour
One of many fine meals
Happy Birthday, Gil!
Marianne joins in toasting Gil.
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Guests Enjoying Gil’s Sculpture.
Gil and friends at the opening reception.
Gil’s Studio.
Upcoming Events
Dante's Divine Comedy Exhibition of Magical Realism Curated by Claus Brusen
Viechtach, Germany June 2nd – Oct 1st fantasmus-art.com /dante-exhibition.com
Imaginaire II - Book Release
Gil Bruvel – Guest of Honor 2010
Lahaina Galleries
Art of Aloha – Group Show
Maui, Hawaii
Jan. 28th – 31st, 2010
lahainagalleries.com
Magical Realism Amsterdam
Group Show March 13th – 21st, 2010
More Info »
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 “King Lear, stage setup” - 2009
Oil & Graphite on Board, 12" x 16"
Looking for a Special Holiday Gift? We have books, limited edition prints, sculpture, functional art, and original paintings...
Contact Us at
bruvel@msn.com
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