Vian Borchert "Summer Blues" | HappenArt

Vian Borchert “Summer Blues”
Lichtundfire gallery – Until july 23, 2022
Reception on Thursday July 21 from 6-8 PM.

The artist, Vian Borchert, has been wanting wholeheartedly to work with “Yves Klein Blue” for sometime. Naturally, when Borchert was informed about the “Summer Blues” exhibition, Vian Borchert jumped on the plan. Not only because blue is the artist’s favorite color, but in blue she seems to swim into another world, and fly into another universe. Coincidentally, in a very bizarre but also tragic twist the creation of the artwork fell in a time where the artist was going through the blues due to the sudden death of her aunt.

The loss.

Upon hearing about her aunt’s death, there was a sense of uneasiness in her life not only due to the loss, but to the world falling apart because of the war in Ukraine along with the spiral downfall of a number of issues throughout the world. Inevitably, the bad news is way too much for humans to absorb. So, What is one to do? What is an artist to do amid such blue and uncertain times? With this, the artist couldn’t help but delve into her own wonderland of colors, shapes and creation. Through the art, Borchert started reflecting and mirroring the type of world that the world has arrived to.

Picasso.

In “Summer Blues”, Borchert intended to go beyond the self and challenge oneself to explore the unexplored while still reflecting on the difficulties of the current events the world is facing. Upon creating this body of work, Borchert is remembers Pablo Picasso and how he complettly got absorbed and almost got stuck in his “Blue Period” after the suicide of his best friend, Carlos Casagemas. The death of Picasso’s best friend haunted Picasso for a long time where he fell into a deep depression. Yet, in his bluest of times and bluest of paintings that is when his best of work emerged. Melancholy of death, the nightmares and ghosts that appeared in his blue canvases, speak to V. Borchert louder than any of his colorful work.

Yves Klein.

It is that similar raw honesty that Borchert also aims to bring forth in this new work. The buildings now stand tall, yet almost crying covered with blue rain telling a different story of a Summer that fell into the blues. However, this overcast summer is so beautiful in its deep blue shades of cobalt blue, indigo blue and “Yves Klein” blue. It is in this primary color that we allow ourselves to fly and swim, fly into a blue sky and swim into the deep blue. Consequently, truth be said, tragedy unfortunately makes good art! The latest blue paintings’ series created especially for the “Summer Blues” exhibition reflect on a city fallen into a deep blue mist. Hints of hope are evoked through the whtie stripes and glistens of light that fall upon the city’s skyscrapers and facades. Lines merge to bring our eyes to the buildings that stand tall almost like rockets ready to launch into outer space. The buildings, although fallen into a deep fog still stand tall looking up towards the sky reaching and symbolically projecting that despite how distressing the state of things are, one has to look up! One has to dream! One has to reach for the stars! One has to have hope of a better sunnier tomorrow regardless of how overcast it is today. One has to persevere and carry on!

Blue Flag.

The titles of the paintings also present a window to the thoughts behind the works.
“Blue Flag” means we’ve reached a situation where we need reform for matters to shape up in our lives. Note though It’s not a white flag – we haven’t surrendered or given up. Blue, although symbolic of sorrow, yet it can also echo the color of a brilliant sky where one can dream upon and hope for a better tomorrow.

Crossing the Blues.

“Crossing the Blues” illustrates many white and bluish crossroads that lead to the horizon line. The perspective here literally and metaphorically emphasizes that although we find ourselves in a state of sorrow due to the loss of a dear one, yet this painting stresses on the idea of challenging oneself to get up and move again towards the light. In this, V. Borchert recalls a conversation the artist recently had with a friend who comforted her after the loss of her aunt, stating that art is of the highest calling and that an artist lives on forever through their artwork.

City Blues.

“City Blues” showcases a city fallen into dusk filled with shadows of doubt but still manages to stand tall beyond the blues to express its resilience and reveal its subdued beauty and strength.

Edgy Blue.

“Edgy Blue” presents a point where one is on edge due to hearing all the incoming tough news that pierces the soul. The painting brings our eyes to the light buildings that illuminate the dark blue canvas while imploring one to rewire the hope within one, and to get out of the blues that had befallen one.
Overall, the art engages in an intellectual dialogue of why blue still manages even though it is associated with melancholic connotation to present a powerful message through its subdued hues along succeeding in igniting the soul to reflect and refresh on matters at hand.