Art

Contemporary Arts seems like a trend for many artists around the world. Included in this group of contemporary artists is Larry Bell, who just recently launched an exhibit at the Frank Lloyd Gallery from February 13 to March 27, 2010. He entitled his exhibit as Portraits of Joan New Collages. The title was based from his longtime friend, Joan who suggested this kind of exhibit. Larry Bell worked with many types of paper as his main instrument in creating collages. At first glance, one may look into the intricate details and complexity of his works, but once you get to observe the pieces more, you will realize how difficult it is to arrive into such products of arts. Belles collages did not look like any collages that I had seen in my entire life. He seemed to work on a black paper with other kinds of materials such as luminous metallic fragments, fabric, acetate, and film strips which are fixed together by the use of a heating process. He used these pieces to form abstract themes that enabled ones mind to play with imagery. In instance, his works of mixed media struck my attention because of the different textures included in the series of his works. Each canvas looked like different movements of a specific subject. The lights which stroke into the metallic paper created a variety of perspectives. This was depending on how the sight was able to imagine the pieces of Belles artworks.

Another series of media that caught my attention were the different forms of cubes in the exhibit. Bell used coated glass of many sorts of materials such as film deposition of metallic particles and painted brass that supported the glass and kept them in place. The artists creative mind was mainly observed by the way he used a single structure and the way he incorporated different types of materials. I was able to appreciate the pieces more once the reflection created various effects and colors inside the room.

There was also a series of works which was made on a white canvas with different types of paper and contrasting colors that allowed ones eyes to move around a specific piece. Bell played with striking colors such as neon orange, green and yellow in contrast with earthy tones of gray, brown and black.

Every material utilized in his masterpieces created a sense of coordination, balance and harmony. Some individuals wouldnt think that all of the different forms of matter could turn into a marvelous form of art. The variations of shapes, sizes, tones and textures were brought together and formed another dimension of contemporary arts. This is one of the advantages of contemporary arts. The artist has the freedom to choose what to use and what to do with his or her artwork.

Larry Bell made a successful art exhibit by showing another face of media. He played with lights, glass, colors and more. In this experience, he also displayed the versatility of arts. Something can be made out of anything in this world. His visuals made it clear that he is truly an artist filled with great passion for arts.