What is Philosophical Realism?
The Philosophical Realism is an art form developed by me which combines within a subject word and image.
Thereby is the meaning of the subject as important as the image and the word itself. In other words, the image should be as attractive to look at as the words to read, as must there be meaning (the subject). To you, as a spectator, the encouragement to search for the subject. Philosophical Realism invites you to find a balance between intellect and feeling, with the primary aim to enrich the senses with aesthetics and to stimulate reflection.
This is achieved by a work of art put together from a painting (image) and a caption (words) In this way, the painting and caption are two components of the total artwork.
The caption of the painting is not a title. The difference between a title and a caption is very subtle, but important. Title means explanatory addition, which directly relates to the image and usually explains the painting. Caption means appropriate words under a picture, and may consist of a word, a sentence or a piece of text.
A Philosophical Realistic artwork can address the viewer in three ways: looking at the painting, reading the caption, and a search for the subject.
- 1. Enjoying the picture.
- 2. Enjoying the caption.
- 3. Trying to find the meaning of word and image symbolism and combining them together. Searching for the subject in the game of reflection.
Interaction, arising from the fathoming of word and image, is a mean to find the subject. This means that the subject, developed and used by me as a starting point, is not pictured or described.
The road to, the search, is as important as a possible finding of the subject.
An example: “I think, therefore I think that I exist” (Top left image.)
This painting could be the portrait of an old man. One may wonder who this particular individual is, you can enjoy the painting and leave it at that; usually this is the way to go with a painting. For centuries in art paintings have served as a depicter of subjects. You can add a title, for example: “Grandpa;” or “Portrait of Mr de Vries”. In any case, a title that refers to the represented person. In my art form the identity of a person pictured is not the subject. It serves as symbolism, impeller to search for the subject.
If you read the caption “I think, therefore I think I exist” is to note that it offers no explanation of the painting nor the mention of the subject. The words stand as a sentence in itself, just like the painting is independent. The image does not illustrate the words and the words give no explanation of the image. They become meaningful only when you add them together. Combined they form the artwork. In this way they are the beginning of the search for the subject and its significance. Only through search, you as the viewer / reader of the work, may discover why precisely this person is depicted, and why he looks at the viewer in this way . “I think, therefore I think I exist.”
Combining words and image is also for landscape painting, such as the work of the lower right. Again, you can enjoy the picture and leave it at that. But if you also read the caption: “Parcivalius reads the symbols of Anu and Enki in front of the tree of knowledge” you will notice that these words again give no explanation or an answer whatsoever. Also with the Parcivalius landscapes you can try to combine the meaning of words and image to search for the subject.
In addition, I play in my work with what I call self created light. Alchemical manipulated light what does not as such need to occur in nature. I call this process “Magus Lux Lucis,” Latin for magical light. This ensures that the paintings in terms of image may differ from the traditional classical image.
Thus you can enter as a spectator the road between understanding and mystery. But because the Philosophical Realism gives no answers, you have to interpret for yourself what you read, see and feel.
The Philosophical Realism is searching for, reflect on and empathize with all knowledge. In presenting my own quest, I hope to encourage you to travel with me.
Jan G. Marque ©
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