- Why
the Maya?
-
Mayan Stelae of The Month
- Adán
Dorfman: In His Own Word
- TV
Update
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Why
the Maya?
Many people who discover Renato's artwork ask us, "Why does he have so many
Mayan themes present in not only his classic reproductions,
but also in his contemporary works?"
One look at our environment here, in and around Cancun, could answer the
question, but for those of you not familiar with the area, we'll expand.
Ten minutes outside of the resort portion of Cancun and you may as well
go back a couple of hundred years in time. In fact, let's just say that
Renato's studio and work area is in the middle of a "rustic" jungle environment,
where ideas like running water and electricity are luxuries we hope to have
in the near future. It's where there's a stronger possibility of hearing
the Mayan language than Spanish, and where tradition and heritage run deep.
In Cancun, where we're just a short distance from ruins like Chichen Itza
and Tulum, you can be inundated with cheap imitations of Mayan stelae and
lintels, and with even cheaper explanations of their meaning. For those
of us who live here, it can be a slap in the face to the culture that made
all this possible.
So it occurred to Renato to celebrate the Mayan culture by faithfully reproducing
monuments from different parts of the Mayan world. The idea is to celebrate
Mayan art, Mayan ritual and the absolute mastery of technique that forgotten
master sculptors and carvers wielded over stone, wood and clay. The relief
in Renato's reproductions runs deeper than in the originals, mainly to highlight
the sheer beauty of the original designs.
We have also studied Mayan culture to find the closest explanations and
to give a more respectful idea of the meaning behind the pieces... and the
education continues. In order to broaden our knowledge base we refer to
several books on their culture as well as the opportunity to consult with
Mayan historians.
So why the Maya?, you ask. To show the respect and love Renato feels for
the people and the culture. And in the contemporary
work, to mix the past, present and the future--to remember where we
are from (the earth) and to where we are going.
Click here to see the Classic Mayan
Collection, the Mayan Contemporary
Collection or Renato's Original works.
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The
Coronation of Pacal
Oval Palace
Tablet Palenque, Chiapas, Mexico Late Classic period, ca A.D. 652
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Mayan
Stelae of The Month
(*The
Coronation of Pacal)
Pacal, who is about to become king of Palenque, sits on a double-headed
jaguar throne that is turned toward the viewer so that both heads can
be seen. He wears only a cloth skirt, pectoral and simple headband. His
mother, Lady Zac-Kuk, sits on the floor in front of him. She wears a net
overskirt and cape over her cotton huipil dress and is marked as a ruler
by her Jester God headband. She extends the Drum-major headdress, the
crown used by Palenque kings, toward her son, giving him the first part
of the regalia that will transform him into the king.
Click here to find out how you can own one of our reproductions
of this celebrated Mayan classic
*explanation from The Blood of Kings-Dynasty and Ritual in Maya Art, Linda
Schele and Mary Ellen Miller, Thames and Hudson, 1992
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Adán
Dorfman: In His Own Words
We asked our featured
guest artist, Adán Dorfman, some questions about his work, inspiration,
etc. Here's what he said:
To see the complete text and his work, clik
here.
His style:
In terms of style my art is simple, surrealist and sometimes narrative.
Sometimes it's purely a feeling and sometimes it tells a whole story.
I work in oils on different surfaces, like canvas, wood, sand, marble
dust, stone and metal. In sculpture I usually work figurative and abstract
pieces. I love working in metal because I feel like I'm putting together
a puzzle that doesn't exist. It's a challenge for the imagination.
On his beginnings:
"I always loved anything to do with fantasy and began drawing because
I watched my brother draw, which he did very well. I had a fascination
with horrible and bloody monsters but during my childhood and teenaged
years I never liked what I drew because I always felt as though I were
under my brother's shadow. If I'd draw something I wouldn't like it, I
would tear it up, and wouldn't do anything else until I got over my frustration.
I was never satisfied with what I did.
On what he studied and why he studied art:
As far as learning is concerned the only thing school gave me was discipline---whether
I liked the work or not I had to do it and finish it, and little by little
I learned to accept my artwork. I studied sculpture and in my spare time
outside of school I learned to paint in oils. I just kind of grabbed a
brush---decided I wanted to do it and found my own technique. I no longer
feel like I'm in my brother's shadow, but rather like I'm walking on the
same path along with him and not behind him."
On the Meaning and Value of His Art Art is not everything in my life.
It is a small part of all the things I enjoy doing--I love hiking and
exploring and whitewater kayaking. I have too much energy to just sit
down and paint.Exploring and extreme sports give me a dynamic and active
component to my life, while art gives my life the creative and passive
component and this makes me feel complete. My art expresses different
emotions.
On one hand, it protests against the modern way of life and our ecological
irresponsibility and the war against nature, while on the other hand,
the joy and the possible harmony between man and nature. I don't look
for people to change, but rather, to feel. I think that art's purpose
is to cause a feeling, whether it be pain, laughter, joy or hate. If it
does, then it has fulfilled it´s purpose!
On Selling His Work:
When a painting sells it's part of the fuel that drives me to do more
because I feel it fulfilled its' function. It made you feel something.
On His Inspiration: My inspiration is not only in the creation of art,
but also in the creation of the masterpiece that is life.
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TV
Update
If you remember, Renato was interviewed and our gallery was filmed for an
exciting new television show. The program, Entrada, Journeys in Latin American
Cuisine, filmed us during June, 2001.
We were recently informed that the program has been sold to Discovery Channel
Latin America, PBS in the United States, Travel UK in Great Britain, and
is currently running on two Canadian broadcasters.
If you check out Entrada's website at www.entradaonline.com,
you can get more info on both the program and possible airtimes. The program
also features some interesting cuisine and travel content, so make sure
to check your local listings for it! |
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P.S.- Sometimes
we receive e-mails from persons who wonder how we got their e-mail address.
Therefore, we decided to list the following as our basic sources for e-mails.
1) Clients and
visitors to the Gallery and website provide us with their e-mails.
2) Subscribers to the Newsletter.
3) Future travellers to Cancun who will pick up their free Mayan Horoscope
Pendant which they reserved through the Cancun On Line website.
If
you like our newsletter why not tell someone about it? To see previous
editions of the newsletter. Click here
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