Visual Artist Osvaldo Bacman and his ,,Irritation-Geometry”

Once again, an art event worth seeing and hearing drew numerous visitors to the mayor’s residence last weekend. Many citizens became aware of the villa and its special ambience as a gem for cultural evens a long time ago.

This time, guests were invited to see an exhibition by Argentinian artist Osvaldo Bacman, whose switched squares and labyrinth-like Black & White creations put common views into perspective. As a part of the vernissage, the artist’s cousin –Susanne Mendelievich – played a very atmospheric piece by her fellow native Astor Piazzolla on the piano. Anyone who studies Osvaldo Bacman’s artistic work will first of all recognize basic geometric forms like square and rectangle. In a second step, these sometimes superimposed spaces turn into visually perceptible spatial experiences.

Thus, the at first glance flat square pyramid suddenly gets a depth via its bright-dark gradations that lead the eye to a distant, imaginary spot, like looking into a tube. It’s fascinating and makes one believe they’re looking at a two-dimensional cuboid until, suddenly, having reached a certain point – everything reverts and appears two-dimensional again.

To Bacman, however, the visual irritation alone isn’t that important. “For me personally, they open up ways to meditate“, the artist admits. “I want to create contrasts, black-white, positive-negative, and illustrate that interaction is needed for them to result in a harmonious whole. Just like in real life, one can see these lines as obstacles or necessary perimeter.”

Anyone who takes the third step and engages with the images in that way will discover amazing things. During the observation-meditation, one passes a process that leads back to the beginning. But for a short moment, the definite “here and now” shifts and one is emerged in a diverse infinity. The astounding part of this experience is the emergence of dynamic figures from an intrinsically fixed geometric picture.

Therefore, Osvaldo Bacman’s comment is no surprise: “The meaning behind my portraits and reliefs is not so much some form of art but rather a philosophy of life.” Good for those who know how to discover them for themselves beyond the mere shapes that are portrayed.

The mayor’s residence provides a nice, atmospheric frame for the exhibit. It is obvious that in this villa, art feels like an element that belongs there. Music takes full effect as well in those high, whitewashed rooms. Consequently, the contemporary piano piece Susanne Mendelievich chose for the evening fit extremely well with the displayed portraits. Music is something we absorb right away, whereas paintings require to establish a connection. In this particular case, the compositions by Argentinian Astor Piazolla put the audience in the proper mood for Osvaldo Bacman’s meticulous painting technique, which was well received by those present.

A.Bangert

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