Modules, mixes, mash-ups: how creativity can arise by combining objects and trends around you

PhotoSparks is a weekly feature from YourStory, with photographs that celebrate the spirit of creativity and innovation. In the earlier 330 posts, we featured an art festival, cartoon gallery. world music festival, telecom expo, millets fair, climate change expo, wildlife conference, startup festival, Diwali rangoli, and jazz festival.

What is an object, and what is a piece of art? When does a photograph become artistic? Is there art in ordinary objects as well? How can objects be combined into art forms? Many of these questions are raised by the exhibits in the collection called ‘Masterpieces Modern’ at Galerie Thomas.

For example, the works of Louise Nevelson show how furniture and even bits of scrap wood can be transformed into art by combining them into different nested formations. These ‘three-dimensional collage’ pieces are then painted over in black, white or gold.

Founded in 1964, Galerie Thomas is located in the art district of Munich, and participates in international art fairs such as Art Basel, TEFAF Maastricht, Art Cologne, and Art Basel Hong Kong. In 2009, gallery founder Raimund Thomas and his daughter Silke Thomas opened a section for modern and contemporary art.

For more than 50 years, the gallery has been dealing in expressionist and classic modern art. Featured artists include Jim Dine, Lucio Fontana, Sam Francis, Gotthard Graubner, Peter Halley, Imi Knoebel, Alexander Calder, Victor Vasarely, Ernst Barlach, Robert Motherwell, Sigmar Polke, Günther Uecker and Andy Warhol.

“Art is the meta-level of our human communication. It was and is the thermometer for social conditions, developments and conflicts,” said Silke Thomas, in a chat with YourStory.

“Art meets us on several levels: it challenges, it promotes, it frightens or calms, it moves us, or it leaves us cold. In the encounter with art we can recognise ourselves, or simply enjoy the colour composition,” she explains. Art allows everything, that's why it fascinates her every day anew, she adds.

The gallery’s highlight in 2019 will be the exhibition in September, when renowned artist Peter Halley will come from New York for the season opening. “Halley refers to our contemporary forms of communication, especially to digital code systems such as the Internet. He perceives this technological structure of the world as a prison of perception, which is why he calls his geometrical colour fields 'prisons'. Peter Halley’s art is a challenge for us, intellectually, emotionally and aesthetically,” Silke explains.

She does see digital art and artificial intelligence as thrilling, but chooses to keep the gallery’s focus on expressionism and classical modernism. “For sure, digital communication is getting more and more important. We already meet customers on relevant online portals,” Silke adds.

“Enjoy, dive in and let it flow. Art will show itself to you if you let it happen,” she advises audiences. “Finding your own way is certainly a key to success. And see as much art as you can,” Silke signs off, as advice to aspiring artists.

Now, what have you done today to spot new trends in the world, and weave them together into a new you?

Got a creative photograph to share? Email us at [email protected]!

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