Site Network: Carol Worthey | Worthgold | Mermaid Mystique | The Tranquil Moment | MySpace

Are Blogs a drag?

Not this one! In this web log you'll find events, observations and commentary regarding Carol Worthey and her Art.


Search Archive

Blog Categories

All posts are placed in one or a few categories, and sometimes also in sub-categories. The number after each category shows how many posts it contains.

Blog Archive - All Posts

 
 
 
20640

2007-12-02: Biennale d'Arte Contemporanea di Firenze 2007    

Carol Worthey loves Firenze!
Biennale display setup
Carol Worthey with Biennale Award
Carol Worthey Biennale Award

At last, Carol Worthey’s paintings have arrived after a meandering, tentative journey involving a curious combination of numbing idiocy and unexpected kindness. Here at the Biennale’s excellent location of Exhibit Space Number 748, the rudely crossed-out [accurate] address on her box bears sly witness to this misadventure. Since results are what counts in the international Fine Art world, Carol’s joy and relief know no bounds! Bless the box, bless the walls, bless the Biennale, bless the future--let’s wear sunglasses, it looks so bright!

And here at last the paintings hang at the Biennale Exhibit, full of sound and fury, signifying SOMETHING!

Little did Carol realize when she painted “From The Ashes, Rebirth” how tellingly appropriate it was for Florence. She knew about book burnings during the Armenian genocide (1915) and during Hitler times and the horrific flames of the ancient Library at Alexandria. And yet... this same violation had been inflicted within the cobblestones of beautiful Florence: At the very time that interest in ancient Greek and Roman literature, history, art and philosophy was pouring into the streets of Florence like Tuscan winter rains, an insidious force of destruction was about to suppress creativity, joy and exploration. A puritanical and obsessive monk named Savonarola imposed his insane will upon most of the populace to burn ancient manuscripts, “frivolous” jewels and gorgeous art in infamous “Bonfires of The Vanities”. Compare the early rhapsodic paintings of Botticelli with the dark and brooding work he did under the influence of this inquisition and contrast between repression and renaissance becomes chillingly clear. And so it was that the Florentine public responded to “From The Ashes, Rebirth” with wide-eyed nods of understanding. The Armenian and Israeli artists at the exhibit were similarly drawn to the work and it became an entry point for Carol (as a representative of Artists for Human Rights) to point out “Freedom of Thought” as one of our thirty intrinsic Human Rights.

As for the diptych (two paintings which form a whole scene) "Musical Mermaids 1 & 2", they fit the Florence setting perfectly, fashioned as they were to be modern sirens inspired by Botticelli’s early images of magical graceful figures (the Uffizi has two of his best!). Carol’s two underwater beauties in a sea swirling with rhythmic currents that reminded some viewers of Van Gogh’s Starry Night really drew positive comments from visitors, art historians, fellow artists and musicians from around the world! The attendees there on Opening Day of the Florence Biennale, December 1st, 2007 who heard the World Premiere of Carol Worthey’s brass piece “Fanfare for The New Renaissance” (written in honor of the Biennale and the city of Florence) were particularly enlivened to see the opening theme painted on the two paintings as if pouring from the mermaids’ instruments. Combining painting and music is Carol Worthey’s specialty!

Meeting 850 fine artists, photographers and sculptors at the Biennale from 74 countries was a lifetime joy for Carol. To her surprise, her natural exuberance is actually quite at home amongst the Italians and most of the other nationalities.  Making people feel welcome is one of her favorite things to do.

Carol Worthey’s most thrilling moment at the Biennale came on the last day, at the last moments of the Awards Ceremony, after the awards for First, Second, Third-Fourth-and-Fifth Art Prizes in Mixed Media, Photography, Sculpture and Painting had been awarded.  She was honored with a special Recognition Prize, the first ever for music at the Biennale, presented to Carol by Mr. Celona, President of the Florence Biennale, in an elegant Plaque encased in box of wood and blue velvet.  What a surprise and what an honor!

top