Group of Paris Firemen, 80" x 90", oil/canvas

[Sergio Ostroverhy]

You're welcome. As You saw I've put some pics about the progression of this painting... in fact I did so much errors and experiences in the beginning, that had to glue a new canvas twice on the whole surface piece per piece to not loose the drawing patterns.

[Garth Herrick]

Sergio,

I am in total awe! Thanks for sharing how you developed this project. One question: Why were you in need of those huge vacuum hoses? Was there an unusually hazardous process to your working methods?

Congratulations on a splendid tribute and acheivement!

Garth

[Sergio Ostroverhy]

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[Sergio Ostroverhy]

Thanks for the comment, I have a rose in my garden... so one of the pipeline brings in my art studio its odor, and the other pipeline brings out the nasty dust created by working on the background (the city map) created with polishing machines.[/QUOTE]

[Sharon Knettell]

Sergio,

This is so powerful, original and impressive!

I love the smooth David-like contours of the firemen's faces juxtaposed against the gritty, graphic quality of the map.

Sincerely,

[Sergio Ostroverhy]

Thank you Sharon,

Indeed the contrast is quite strong... however when you look at it
from a distance it melts in the general ambiance... even creates a
sort of "smoggy effect".

Originally I wanted to create a patchwork of marble imitation. But finally I have put the marble only in the frame... and left the map in a kind of "mini expressionist" treatment (a memory of my "abstract painter" past). More precisely have got involved into the pleasure of just playing with colors and textures in a totally free way.

Also the form relations can be seen as the influence of a painter called Poliakoff (1950-ies) who himself was inspired by Byzantine icons. And the "drop like" painting... may be from Pollock... of course in a very distant way. The Byzantine influence by the way can be seen in the mosaic imitation of the floor.

The "burned like" city map also symbolically creates a contrast by its texture between the idea of "realistic painting" and "abstract painting"... Or a "painting inside of a painting". Include abstractionism and not avoid it.

The role of the "firemen" in this case can be seen as a possible "exit" from that ideological contradiction.

----Action of Saving-----without really thinking why...

----Action of Painting, as a moral action, using all the styles, and
not caring for the aesthetical conventions or barriers between
abstract-realistic-acedemic-conceptual.

[Sharon Knettell]

Originally Posted by Sergio Ostroverhy

Thank you Sharon,

Indeed the contrast is quite strong... however when you look at it
from a distance it melts in the general ambiance... even creates a
sort of "smoggy effect".

Originally I wanted to create a patchwork of marble imitation. But finally I have put the marble only in the frame... and left the map in a kind of "mini expressionist" treatment (a memory of my "abstract painter" past). More precisely have got involved into the pleasure of just playing with colors and textures in a totally free way.

Also the form relations can be seen as the influence of a painter called Poliakoff (1950-ies) who himself was inspired by Byzantine icons. And the "drop like" painting... may be from Pollock... of course in a very distant way. The Byzantine influence by the way can be seen in the mosaic imitation of the floor.

The "burned like" city map also symbolically creates a contrast by its texture between the idea of "realistic painting" and "abstract painting"... Or a "painting inside of a painting". Include abstractionism and not avoid it.

The role of the "firemen" in this case can be seen as a possible "exit" from that ideological contradiction.

----Action of Saving-----without really thinking why...

----Action of Painting, as a moral action, using all the styles, and
not caring for the aesthetical conventions or barriers between
abstract-realistic-acedemic-conceptual.

I think this is very aesthetically powerful in the tradtition of mythology. Aesthetics are not to be discounted, they are abused today. Most people consider a pleasant landscape, banal still lifes, etc. or other saccharine attempts at picture making as aesthetic.

Beauty in past cultures was used to involve people with the divine. Humanity was pictured as divinities and heroes.

I think your firemen represent very well the heroic elements of humanity. I like that they are simple and direct without artifice.

The design elements are well thought out and not to be dismissed. The firemen present, at least to me a very powerful bulwark against the somewhat ravaged map of Paris.

Sincerely,

[Vianna Szabo]

Sergio, this is a wonderful painting. It goes way beyond mere representation and is truly a work of art. Something about the characters remind me of the Diego Rivera murals at the Detroit Institute of Arts. Congratulations on this strong painting

[Sergio Ostroverhy]

Thank You Vianna for the fact that You appreciate this work.
Diego Riviera is certainly a painter whom I like more for his murals
than his political beliefs.

[Linda Nelson]

Excellent Job Sergio

I like how the two horizontal lines from their outfits tie the men together, and ESPECIALLY that the pump in front looks like a huge human heart - really reminding you how they are lifesavers of us and our community.

Much congratulations!
Linda