MIAMI, Fla. /Florida Newswire/ — Photographer Juan Sebastian showcases his magical photo-realistic work in Venice, Italy, for the international art exhibition of photography, video art, installation, painting and performance art titled "SELF MEMORIES – The contemporary sense of awareness" hosted at the Venice Art House Gallery from the 5th to the 15th of August 2015.
The curators of the exhibit selected three of Juan Sebastian's photographs that study the human body from a personal point of view based upon his memories, experiences, and literature. A vast majority of his work is influenced by the "modern magic realism tradition" of authors like Garcia Marquez and Isabel Allende, which weave together elements of myth and realism based upon their own experiences. This mystical perspective can be seen on the photomontage "One Piece Man" (36-inches x 48-inches) were Sebastian plays and deconstructs the body, recreating a new study of the human form, freezing movement in time and taking the viewer to question the fragility of life and the boundaries to where it stands in space.
Part of the criteria for the group exhibition was to present the deep investigation of our inner world in relationship with the outside, with the passing time, external inputs, and the ongoing changes we are subjected to on a daily basis. In this exploration Sebastian presented a black and white self-portrait titled "In the Middle of the Profound" (36-inches x 48-inches) where he is completely submerged naked inside a fish tank, like a fetus in peaceful repose.
"Self-portraits are an artistic and spiritual experiment. Through this medium I can tell stories with my body, which is my instrument and my company in every stage of my life. At the same time it is a process of introspection, where I am behind the camera and in the same image, creating a historic world all drawn from my memories and experiences; told by my body and soul," says Juan Sebastian.
The vernissage curated by Arch. Luca Curci (director of International ArtExpo and Its LIQUID Group) and Andrea Chinellato (director of Venice Art House and Ca' Zanardi), took place on Tuesday, August 5, 2015, bringing a large international crowd of art enthusiasts. Guests were especially drawn to the photograph titled "Azul III" (36-inches x 48-inches), a colorful and serene dance mirage of harmonious contrasts, where the soul moves with grace creating beauty, freedom, and form.
To learn more about the artist and view his work please visit http://www.juansebastian.com/ and Instagram @juansebastianf
ABOUT JUAN SEBASTIAN:
Born in Barranquilla, Colombia, Juan Sebastian immigrated to Miami at the age of seventeen. His interest in musical theatre and literature heavily influences his work as a photographer, often times capturing a sense of musicality and fantasy in his work. He travels globally to document the fashion weeks of Miami, New York, and Paris in addition to procuring long-term self-portrait and beauty projects. Commissioned by the likes of Del Pozo, Adriana Castro, and Estee Lauder, Sebastian's style is distinctive despite his eclectic repertoire.
Inspired by elements of nature and myth, Juan Sebastian draws inspiration from the magical realism found in the work of famed authors Marquez and Allende. In his photos, the parameters with which we distinguish dreams from reality are obscured while working within the expansive continuum of light and dark. The product is a visualization of the fantasy that pervades our dreams.
ABOUT VENICE ART HOUSE GALLERY:
VENICE ART HOUSE Gallery is located at Cannaregio 1863C – 30121 Venice, Italy
Hours: 3 – 9 p.m.; closed on Monday; free entry.
ABOUT THE EXHIBITION:
"SELF MEMORIES – The contemporary sense of awareness" is part of SELF festival, organized in Venice at Venice Art House, from the opening day of Venice Art Biennale (May 9, 2015), with a rich program of different events until November 2015. For the first time in Venice we will give audience the possibility to have private meetings with artists, to meet them personally and share their art and experience. Each event will have a strong program of video art screenings and premiers, art residencies, talks, workshops, live DJ set, live experimental dance and art performances.
After many years of research and exhibitions about the evolution of the idea of identity, we ask artists to share their personal tales through artworks; to create a link between the personal experience and the audience; to tell us which are the stories and reasons beneath their works.
* PHOTO Caption: Azul III (Photo credit: Juan Sebastian).
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