100 years of Olympic History: 1896-1996
Located on the upper level of the Black Wall, these abstract representations by Cristóbal Gabarrón celebrate the first "100 Years of the Modern Olympiad." These paintings represent the Academy commissioned installation piece, "The Atlanta Star-An Olympic Forest." Composed of twenty-six pillars, "The Atlanta Star" was located in front of the Olympic MARTA station during the 1996 Olympic games in Atlanta. Showcasing the simplistic beauty of the human form in motion, these contemporary images recall the history of the Modern Olympiad from 1896-1996.
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Cristóbal Gabbarrón: Born in Murcia, Spain on April 25, 1945, Maestro Cristóbal Gabarrón dedicated himself to art as a six-year-old child. According to his own biography, he is, by training, trajectory and vocation an artist form Castilla y Leon. Following a 1964 exhibition of figurative works, the artist quickly evolved into the abstract. Since 1968, he has worked with a variety of techniques and formats including illustration, installations, sculpture and cinematographic research. His knowledge gained through the practice of art divulged itself in his workshops on artistic technique, which soon won him the title Master or Maestro in certain circles. More on Gabbarrón |
Communicating with simplistic forms, Gabarrón sends out complex messages full of ambiguity and duality. We see this present itself through the translucent forms that are contained within the structure of dark lines. Symbolic forms such as the dove, denoting peace, reoccur throughout these images. Notice the dove is not present during those times when there were "No Games" due to World War I and World II, such as 1916 (see below).
"1916 - No Games" |
"1968 - Mexico City" |
Presenting a record of man's movement through history as well as sport, Gabarrón's interpretation of man's significance is apparent by his representation of the human form within the image. For example, notice that the presentation of the figure is as diverse as the images themselves. What other forms are recognizable? Characteristic of most artists who work in the abstract, colors also takes on symbolic form.
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Abstraction: Abstraction in art refers to the simplification of forms. Although Gabarrón's presentation does include recognizable forms, they are abstracted from their "natural state." Often artists like Gabarrón focus more on colors, lines, shapes and materials. Installation: Installation art refers to a type of sculpture that takes over and alters the space where it is installed. This redefinition of space is generally temporary, as with the "Atlanta Star". Contemporary Art: Contemporary Art refers to the art represented today. Cristóbal Gabarrón is one of the most representative painters in the last third of the 20th Century. He continues to show a strong presence in the art world today. |
