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 by
Jacqueline Monahan
jaxn8r@msn.com
Photos by Jacqueline Monahan
Stephen
Borzi Show at Peter Lik Galleries in Mandalay Place
On the evening of Friday, January 18, I was introduced to one of
Australia’s newest imports to the U.S. Making his American debut, artist
Stephen Borzi presented several dozen works in his show, “Another
Journey Begins…” Hosted by the prestigious Peter Lik Galleries, the
space bears his name and you will know the Stephen Borzi Gallery by the
vibrant colors and dramatic compositions which exemplify his work,
almost bursting from the walls into your eyes.
Youthful good looks belie the fact that Borzi has been creating
paintings for 25 years.
This man’s imagination in word and painting thrive in movement.
Inventive titles like “Vegas Princess”, “Candy Forest”, and my personal
favorite, “Now & Zen”, accompany the brilliant abstract images created
by Borzi, who says each of his works takes him on a journey (hence the
title of the show). Some days he will take a painting in progress on an
entirely different route than the one it’s been on for previous days.
Color comes first – then, a roller coaster of inspiration. Only then
will a title come to mind. Borzi travels through the evolution of the
painting, sometimes surprising himself where that particular journey
will lead.
Being lucky enough to score an interview with the mega-talented Borzi
(who is not lacking in charm, either) I informed the artist that one of
my three hypothetical dinner guests (living or dead, you know that old
parlor game) would be abstract expressionist artist Jackson Pollock who,
along with William de Kooning and Mark Rothko are all Borzi influences.
Borzi agreed with my choice, adding that his other two guests would be
Andy Warhol and Jimi Hendrix.
Candy Forest
Having Pollock in common, you’d think I’d like this guy’s work. But
you’d be wrong. No, “like” doesn’t begin to cover it. I absolutely,
unequivocally, hands down LOVE, appreciate and admire the skill of this
artist’s creative sensibility. If I were endowed with more material
resources, his entire inventory would be bought out in a heartbeat for
inclusion in the Borzi wing of my country estate.
Can't See the Trees
Enthusiasm for the artist’s vision is too weak a sentiment. I was
ecstatic in the land of Borzi beauty. The most misunderstood art form,
Abstract Expressionism is actually the most difficult to master and
nearly impossible to pull off consistently. Yet that’s exactly what
Borzi has done, with stunning compositions and color schemes. Prints are
75% polyester and 25 % crushed crystal, sometimes even eclipsing the
originals in high-gloss vibrancy. Prices can range from $1450 to
$16,000, which will purchase anything from a polyester/crushed crystal
print all the way up to a gigantic original work, full of color, texture
and movement. You can get lost in the view with never a thought of
rescue.
Las Vegas Nights
I asked Borzi if he had a writing background due to his clever,
sometimes surprising titles. He believes the skill is inherited from his
mother, a poet. Lose yourself in the visuals first, and then check out
the title for the most impact. “Can’t See the Trees”, “Las Vegas Nights”
and “Yellowstone” are particular examples.
Now & Zen
Also featured were a trio of diptychs, or sets of two complementary
paintings which have similar color schemes but different compositions.
This is especially difficult to pull off successfully, but is no problem
at all for Borzi. His “Inspiration”, “Painted Skies” and “Desert Sands”
series are still available. Single works “Outback Oasis”, “Spirit of the
Land”, and “Fire & Ice” have recently been sold. All his featured works
of art were for sale at the exhibition.
Outback Oasis
Borzi color and composition are startling, sometimes geometric,
sometimes spatter, always bright and arresting. Favorite color combos
seem to be electric blue and deep orange. Lime and black, reds and
browns and fire-like hues also appear and reappear in turbulent, elegant
and unique couplings. Borzi depicts emotion in place of objects.
Although inspired by others, his work is absolutely original, made his
own by vision, medium and style. You’ll just have to see for yourself.
Abstract Expressionism is a movement of abstract painting that came into
prominence in New York in the mid 1940’s – not a style, it’s more of an
attitude; a spirit of revolt, and complete freedom of expression. The
movement attained prominence in the 1950’s. Surface qualities like brush
stroke & texture, the use of large canvases, the imputation of pure
emotion directly to the canvas and the use of color and materials as a
means to visual communication are all earmarks of the movement. Also
called action painting, there is nothing static about these works.
Movement flows throughout, grabs you in and takes you with it; another
reason Borzi likens the creation of these paintings to a journey.
Because he is not concerned with objects or the typical still life, you
won’t find a bowl of fruit or a landscape with discernable trees.
Instead, paint strokes incorporate texture and provide a communication
with the viewer. You will find your own interpretations in patches of
color, beginnings and endings of shapes and movements. Let your mind
take it in and give it back to you. That is Borzi’s gift to us.
For further information:
http://www.stephenborzi.com
http://www.peterlik.com
One Las
Vegas Caucus – and Commentary
My first (ever) caucus experience happened on January 19 at a
neighborhood elementary school. While I have all the respect in the
world for those intrepid adventurers known as campaign workers, I must
say I immediately saw some procedures screaming out for improvement. I
understand it was Nevada’s first (ever) caucus as well, so maybe that’s
why we experienced growing pains together.
Instructed to get into an already long line, I felt the deep rumble of a
lioness growl start building in my throat. I have always found voting in
Las Vegas to be extremely easy – streamlined and convenient- beating out
my native Chicago.
A caucus is an entirely different animal, one my latent lioness wanted
to pounce on, throttle and devour. After standing in a non-moving,
stagnant line for ten minutes, a campaign worker came over to ask if we
had any questions. Your humble correspondent piped up quickly, “What’s
taking so long if we only have to sign our name?”
“Oh we’re letting people register to vote, too”
In the same line? I screamed in my head. You’re making everyone wait for
the irresponsible last-minute, day-late-and-dollar-short screw-ups that
I live my life to avoid?
Only with much more colorful language gleaned from sailors on leave.
Several different preferable scenarios ran through my head. How about: a
separate line for the non-registered – they could start in that one and
THEN join the one where we, the already registered, only had to receive
a sticker and sign our name? How about complimentary coffee for the
boring wait. How about shorter lines separated by first letter of your
surname? How about handing out forms to those in line, instead of making
them wait forever and then fill them out? How about more workers
assisting the crowd?
My daughter who accompanied me suggested changing my name from mother to
mutter, because that’s what I did during the 30 minute wait. Sarcastic
quips escaped my mouth, unbidden. I was powerless to stop them.
“Oh, look, we’re in sight of the sign-up table – but time wise, nowhere
near it.” “I see someone writing line by line on a long form. Slowly and
thoughtfully. How nice!”
My molars got a bit more wear and tear from all of the grinding. I
called a friend, attending another, larger caucus. She answered the
phone with the question, “Is your caucus as screwed up as ours?” I
instantly felt a bit better as we poured our frustration into cell
phones.
Finally arriving at the Promised Land, or in this case the woefully
inadequate registration table, we found there was still no relief in
sight. My last name begins with the letters MO. With a cursory glance
through pages of allegedly alphabetical stickers, one of the caucus
workers declared, much too prematurely, “I don’t have either of you.”
“But you don’t have any page with “M’s” on it,” I said, concerned that a
whole section was missing. No matter. They didn’t have either of us, so
we were made to sign a sheet, add our address and were handed a paper
ballot to fill in our first and second choice candidates. Then we took a
seat for one hour and 15 minutes, while everyone else went through a
variation of the same unnecessarily lengthy and tedious procedure.
This was only one tiny precinct but was not immune to inconvenience and
confusion. Want to know how many people came to caucus? A whopping 114!
I will never attempt to attend anything larger after seeing and
experiencing this needlessly slow-moving insult to the more civic-minded
citizens among us.
Other people I spoke to had similarly frustrating experiences, all
variations on a disorganized theme. Not enough ballots, confused
instructions, no instructions, conflicting instructions, miscounts and
recounts, some sites closing their doors early, lack of registration
forms, etc. Enough contention and exasperation for everyone, though.
Unlike a primary, where you just cast your ballot, everyone had to
listen to the rules (hastily, unevenly, and sometimes partially
explained), then migrate to the region of the room designated for their
candidate.
Once everyone was seated, the groups were counted. Any candidate who
didn't get a certain percentage was declared nonviable, and those
supporters could either choose another candidate or remain undecided. In
my precinct, there were two nonviable candidates. A few voters were
persuaded to join ranks with viable candidates. Several left wordlessly
as the rest of us watched, envious of their sudden freedom.
When the last stragglers were (finally) logged in, counting commenced
quickly. After delegates were declared for each candidate (obliterated
by a moron’s cellular ring tone allowed to blare over the announcement),
people literally ran for the exits. Good luck getting people to
volunteer to be a delegate after that nearly unlawful confinement.
This should have been an experience to look forward to, not one to
avoid, on par with jury duty or traffic court. Take note, Nevada. Find
states that do this well, (Iowa) and copy them. If not, it’s the voters
themselves who will be the real losers in the end.
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