CALM HARBOUR DURING STORM
TOKIO ECHOES SERIES
Eco Aware
Milan, Italy: Jacopo Vicini states about Jacob's work:
"The artwork , made by Jacob von Sternberg, shows the undeniable talent of the artist and highlights his expressive versatility.
In particular, this work, which is part of the Tokyo Echoes Collection, bears witness to his refined creative research.
The sculptural composition, in fact, takes shape thanks to the interactions between various elements, such as acrylics, oil-wax, gouache, sand, upcycled canvas, antique wood, antique brass, antique iron, paint and fibreglass joints."
WAKE UP THE MOUNTAINS
TOKYO ECHOES SERIES
Jacopo Vicini on Jacob's the TOKYO ECHOES SERIES:
Do you know about the influence of Japanese art in Jacob von Sternberg’s creative production?
Great traveler, Jacob is known for his expressive versatility. During his prolific career, the artist has distinguished himself for the high level of multidisciplinary professionalism in his creative research. After traveling to Japan, he has remained fascinated by Japanese culture and has given birth to a refined painting series in which he explores the spirituality and phenomenology of the Land of the Rising Sun.
The series, characterized by the use of various media, is a reprise of Jacob 's time In Japan and shows a sophisticated language built on particular expedients that recall the thickness of Zen calligraphy, the delicate chormatism of Japanese woodblock prints and the suspended atmospheres typical of the Kanō school.
The collection is, undoubtedly, a unique pictorial documentation of von Sternberg’s artistic quality.
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Jacob works digital and analog. Read more in these short excerpts from his interview for The Amplector Magazine.
"Especially in this difficult time art is vital like never ever before. There will be a time when we all need to and want to understand all the traumatic experiences that happened to us in this difficult time and art will stay. To prove and to explain to future generations, to remind us all of the countless unheard fates, but also to bear witness how much we did care for the destiny of the lives of others."
Read the full interview in Italian language here.
Or read more excerpts here:
How would you define your relationship with art?
Art has saved my life. It has saved my life in countless ways. I don't want to say that I am shy, but in a way it is true. I have learned to stand in front of people, to speak, but my language is art. The definition of the most complex situations, the description of unbearable emotions, the expression of uplifting moments full of happiness, the miracles of life - everything that I could hardly put into words but put into a painting. And then there is this knowledge I carry with me, what I learned as a boy, what I was taught by life, sacred perhaps secret knowledge, which I dare not speak of or express in words. I like to encrypt much of this in my paintings. It is a "secret" not because there is a prohibition, but I respect a person's life so much that I would never lecture or speak without being asked. I intend to cross another person's private fence and communicate something that could potentially change a life. Knowledge is irreversible. I could never interfere in this way. All I can do is offer an inspiration, provide aspects, give everything to the viewer, never interfere.
Tell us more about the connection between your art and your everyday life....
Oh, wow, I could write a book about that. Art is in the moment and my life is a vast collection of moments. My "success" in my younger years and the confidence I had received from influential people at this time, made me feel that I had to hide and cover myself. I had not learned enough about life and I was at the beginning of my research. Instead of focusing on my paintings, I decided to concentrate on design. Maybe because it was less constraining in a way. That feeling changed afterwards in a dramatic way. Today I live art and it is not exhausting at all. It is like a constant flow of energy, like a river of inspiration floating inside me. The inspiration is there, in the moment, in every moment.
What are your influences and goals?
Photons are a group of particles that form our reality. Photons can even transform into a crystal-like structure, forming matter under certain circumstances. We interpret or judge what we call reality.
Emotions manifest themselves consciously or unconsciously. Some people can go their whole lives without understanding the depth of their emotions. The emotions people feel are influenced by their behaviour, the culture they come from and previous traumatic experiences. A situation that is frightening for one person may not be frightening for another. An LGBTQ+ person like me might experience a particular situation as upsetting, painful, damaging - discriminating - others might not even notice this situation.
We may all need to shape our sensitivity, we may need to enhance our empathy.
Emotional experiences shape our very personal reality in a very special way. Emotional energies shape our collective reality in a much more intense way.
Between energy and reality - between emotions and reality. Taking on the mandate of the unheard of. Exploring techniques of adaptation or developing techniques of adaptation in a meaningful way to make each case feel, but not teach it. In this way the viewer is invited to experience the mandate within their own personal reality, my art eventually becomes part of the viewer. It can be human, animal, plant or any other sentimental being: my aim is to make the unheard of feel and thus strengthen our empathy.
Compassion is the key to learning and growing, together!
My influences?
Although I agree with Marcel Duchamp that the art world is an ego-driven place, I still believe that a sensitive soul like me has a slim chance of survival.
"Don't cry, work" said Meret Oppenheim - I love her broad spectrum, the depth of her art and her strength; I also greatly admire Lee Strasburger - one of my closest friends, an artist, my family and a very close friend of Friedensreich Hundertwasser.
What do you foresee for the future of art?
I think art is at a crossroads, like never before. One of the foundations of art is that it was and is a connector for people. The more art integrates new technologies, virtual reality, augmented reality, the more the viewer has to adapt to a new way of exploring art. I have always worked in both digital and analogue, so for me there is no yes or no. It depends on what I want to achieve. With the growing options for successfully selling art online, we will see a much wider variety. More artists than ever will have the opportunity to make a living.
However, I think an original painting that resonates with the viewer cannot be replaced by any future technology. Technology is an addition and an opportunity to broaden the scope. Especially in this difficult time art is as vital as ever. There will be a time when we will all need and want to understand, and remember, all the traumatic experiences that have happened to us at this difficult time and art will remain. To show and explain to future generations, to remind us all and to testify how much we care about the fate of other people's lives.
Exhibitions:
We are working on carefully selected art show highlights for you for in late 2021 and 2022, stay tuned!
Rudy Buhler Art Gallery Marsaskala, Malta, 18th November - 20th December 2020
Regular group exhibitions - The New Art Rebellion (TNAR) UK
Collaborations:
In collaboration with HappyWall, Stockholm, Sweden
we present Jacob's "Flower Foto & Fun" Collection. A creative mix of digital art and photography. Since 2007 HappyWall Stockholm is known for Scandinavian quality.
In collaboration with
renowned, Germany based
skai® brand, famous for state-of-the-art surface solutions, Jacob created art for exceptional textile wall coverings and upholstery textiles.
Contact us for more information on this bespoke interior design solution for private, and institutional clients.
anutu-studio@protonmail.com
