Art Theory

Against Irony: Mysticism and Meaning in Contemporary Painting by Sam Abelow

Why does the Western Nude still dominate contemporary art? Today’s art does not resolve the necessary critique of history through further representation of the nude — through irony or ambiguity. The answer I look towards is found in Jewish mysticism, Kabbalah, and the idea of sacred concealment as a new language for painting the archetype of the feminine.

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The Creation of a Whole Self: The Art of Being & Becoming by Sam Abelow

My work is an attempt to bring into focus the implicit search for meaning which was acted out throughout the history of art & design, mythic imagination & psychological theory, as well as religious practices. The resulting ORIGINS and SHEMA color systems are not only useful for aesthetics — great mysteries of alchemy, religion and developments in psychology are made plain to talk about. The words used to describe and explain the chart can be understood and used easily by artists, interior designers and fashionistas.

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