Gil’s Realm
Gil Bruvel’s work opens the realms of imaginative experience, deep personal mythology, exploration and visions to create a link between the conscious and the unconscious in an attempt to get closer to the mystery of the transformative process—what is engendered by growth and metamorphosis in the world of human experience. His canvases merge physical and organic forms to produce an amalgamation that is part human, part idea, part consciousness, and part spirit.

Greetings! Since we launched our newsletter, there have been a number of exciting developments for Gil. First two of his sculptures were unveiled in West Covina, California, to be on permanent display as part of West Covina’s Art in Public Places initiative.

Next, we’d like to bring your attention to the Quote of the Month portion of the newsletter. Each month, we’ll feature a quote by an artist whose work has influenced Gil. Each quote will explore some of the philosophy behind the creative process that resonates with Gil’s work. This month, in the spirit of our focus on Public Art Works, we feature Catalan Architect Antonio Gaudi, a Modernist (Art Nouveau) designer whose flamboyant style is evident in his highly individualistic designs, including Park Güell with its fantastically shaped roofs and unusual pinnacles, and Casa Batlló, featuring rather astonishing tracery, irregular oval windows and flowing sculpted stone work.

As always, feel free to drop us a line! - Gil & Marianne, August 2008

In the Zone Public Sculpture by Gil Bruvel

On July 16th, two of Gil’s sculptures, “The Builder” and “In the Zone,” were installed in West Covina, CA as part of its Art in Public Places Program, which requires that all new development projects include a public art piece.

The history of Public Art is long and broad and artists making Public Art Works range from the great masters such as Michelangelo, Pablo Picasso, and Joan Miró, to those specializing in public art  like Claes Oldenburg and Pierre Granche. While Public Art is recognizable in monuments, memorials and civic statuary, since the early to mid-20th century, it has broadened its appeal and application.  Now Public Art very often works to enhance and activate images in its surroundings. 

The Builder Public Sculpture by Gil Bruvel

According to Charles Landry, founder of Comedia, a consultancy working on creativity, culture and urban change, “The contribution of art and artists is more than merely placing a piece of public art in front of a building.”  Instead, the art works both in concert and in contrast to its surroundings to not only provide beauty and enjoyment, but a space for reverie, contemplation and flights of the imagination.  In this spirit, Gil unveiled two pieces at The Heights, a state-of-the-art shopping mall, in West Covina, California.

According to Mayor Sherri Lane, “the City of West Covina is fortunate to have Gil’s work on permanent display.” And the response from civic and community members, says Developer Douglas Gray, has been one of high praise and thanks.

Since both pieces were commission for the community, Gil worked to develop designs that were relevant to the culture of West Covina, says Project Manager, Lesley Elwood.  “The Builder,” for example, highlights the relationship between Man and Horse, and reflects West Covina’s equestrian roots and culture, while “In the Zone,” is an homage to Big League Dreams, a sports park featuring scaled down replicas of major baseball stadiums,  that is part of  the baseball enthusiasm suffusing the city. According to Elwood, both pieces work as Public Art should:   “They have a certain significance in this location because of the culture and lifestyle in West Covina.”  Further, she cites Gil’s “heroic message” as well as the “unique nature” of his sculpture and his “level of detail” as factors that make the installations significant and impressive. In the end, Elwood says, Gil’s work “really works” in the setting and “will have an impact” on the community.

Alter Ego Chair Functional Art

This month, Gil is excited to feature another of his Functional Art Pieces, “The Alter Ego Chair” which rethinks one of the most common objects in our lives.

It is nearly impossible to sit in this chair and think inside the box at the same time. Whether the chair is considered visually (Where are the braces and lathe-work?), physically (Where should I grasp it?), or reflectively (What reveries will this chair evoke?), it challenges everyday assumptions and promises immense pleasure and enjoyment as an object of beauty and an imaginative space.

Inset panels around the base frame a spectrum of human emotions. No matter what mood, the sitter’s attitude is likely to be catalogued in miniature in the gallery of sculpted faces. Beyond category is the sphere perched upon a curve at the top of the backrest. Designed to raise questions--Will it roll right or left?—it stimulates imagination.

Alter Ego Chair Functional Art

The Alter Ego Chair offers not only comfort, but consideration of the capricious nature of existence.

Edition of 9, plus 1 Artist’s proof.
53” x 28 ¾” x 36”