Artistic Journey Unfolds at Mike Brown Contemporary with Marcelo Novo’s InterPLAY Exhibition

Columbia: Where Art Meets the Soul

A Fascinating Exhibition at Mike Brown Contemporary

If you’re wandering around Columbia this holiday season, make sure to stop by Mike Brown Contemporary. It’s bustling with creativity and color, thanks to their latest exhibition titled “InterPLAY”: The Art of Marcelo Novo. This stunning showcase runs until January 3, 2025, and is a must-see for anyone who appreciates the fusion of art and emotion.

Marcelo Novo, an artist whose work will capture your imagination, recently shared a glimpse into his unique creative process during a delightful chat with fellow artist Michaela Pilar Brown at the gallery. The laid-back atmosphere buzzed with inspiration as Novo explained how he channels his ideas onto the canvas.

Creating Art Through Automatic Writing

Let’s take a moment to journey back to the early 20th century where the likes of Irish poet William Butler Yeats dabbled in a compelling technique called automatic writing. This fascinating concept saw its popularity rise amidst the despair of World War I, as many sought connections with lost loved ones. By opting for this technique, people believed they could communicate with the dead. Could modern art hold some of that eerie magic?

Novo pulls inspiration from these intriguing methods, blending automatic techniques and his own life experiences into his creations. Much like the Surrealists before him, he begins painting on a blank canvas—yes, you heard that right—a black canvas. It’s a bold choice that invites you to suspend judgment and dive headfirst into the world he’s about to create.

Discovering Shapes and Symbols

As Novo wields his brush, he allows “internal shapes” to come to life. At first, these shapes take on a more abstract form, perhaps resembling curls, tubes, or circles, before morphing into something more recognizable. Think of a half-horse, half-woman figure that dances in a swirl of colors or a whimsical café con leche foam that transforms into a tango-dancing couple.

The magic doesn’t stop there! Novo often sets aside four hours for each painting session—what a commitment! He allows himself to drift into a trance-like state, where all conscious thought fades away, letting the art unfold naturally. After this deep dive into creativity, he takes a step back, possibly with a glass of wine in hand, to reflect on where his brush has taken him.

“What just happened?” he might ponder, questioning the six-fingered woman or the way cascading hair blends with a tattoo in one of his pieces. It’s a personal journey of exploration and discovery, much like taking a stroll through an enchanting dream.

Personal Connections and Recurring Themes

As he delves deeper into his work, certain themes and symbols emerge—like dancing couples, which stem from fond memories of his father’s passion for the tango. The high-heeled women he paints can trace their origins to his childhood visits to his mother’s hair salon. These personal connections infuse his art with meaning, making it feel like a familiar hug for the soul.

Black and white takes center stage in many of his paintings, echoing his studies in printmaking during his time at the University of South Carolina. Under the mentorship of Boyd Saunders, Novo honed his skills, emphasizing the human figure and black-and-white visuals, but it’s the element of surprise and spontaneity that truly defines his work.

Join the Conversation

So, if you find yourself in Columbia, don’t forget to pay a visit to Mike Brown Contemporary for an enriching experience. You can immerse yourself in a world where the lines of reality blur and creativity knows no bounds. And while you’re there, check out the monthly “conversations” hosted by Michaela Pilar Brown—a chance to engage with various thought-provoking topics.

For more details, give the gallery’s website or Facebook page a visit. Grab your loved ones, and make an afternoon of it! Who knows what hidden connections you might uncover in the process?

Enjoy the Weather as You Explore

And while you soak in all that art, don’t forget to enjoy the lovely weather Columbia has to offer. With a high of 59°F and winds gently blowing from the northeast, it makes for a pleasant outing. Wrap yourself up in your favorite scarf, as temperatures may dip to around 44°F this evening, but the warmth of creativity and inspiration will surely make it worth it.