The Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center announces two art exhibitions opening at Fort Myers Art Walk on Friday, Sept. 2. “A Place Beyond the Subconscious” by Julio Figueroa Beltran will be on display in the downstairs Grand Atrium of the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center. Upstairs in the Capital Gallery, an exhibit using projection mapping and art, titled “Fractasia – Sacred Space in a Sacred Age” by Israel Alpizar will be featured.
Julio Figueroa-Beltrán (of Havana) attended the Escuela Nacional de Bellas Artes San Alejandro (1999-2003) and the Instituto Superior de Arte (ISA, 2004-07), both in Havana, prior to establishing himself in Miami. Rooted in the Cuban and Latin American fascination with oneiric consciousness and its surprising juxtapositions, Figueroa-Beltrán brings these in line with images of everyday modern life.
The very title of this exhibition—A Place Beyond the Subconscious— underscores the importance of themes that are central to Surrealism, Freud, or Jung, and are obvious influences on this artist’s imaginative works. Wind turbines, highway overpasses, and astronauts intersect with galleons, icebergs, jellyfish, and tropical blooms. Forests and wooden birdhouses meet military drones and theater stages.
The mind dissolves causality and linear time to produce paintings that subordinate the passing issues of the day to the appetites of the archetype-driven imagination. With solo and group exhibitions in the U.S. and Italy and works in prominent collections, Julio Figueroa-Beltrán has secured a distinguished place in the art of his generation.
Fractasia by Israel Alpizar, a multi-sensory experience diving into Sacred Geometry, Psychedelia, Surreal Dream States, and Hyperconscious Symbols with an ‘80s New Age twist is exhibited in the Capital Gallery.
Fractasia is the fusion of two words: fractals and fantasia. Fractals are infinitely complex proportional geometric shapes and patterns that repeat across different scales and dimensions of time and space, and fantasia, derived from the ancient Greek word phantasia, is imagery and imagination with a free flowing, no-strict-form musical composition. Using traditional painting techniques, contemporary projection mapping, lighting effects, and interactive installations, Fractasia expresses subjects about the awakening away from our hypernormalisation into the theoretical shifting Astrological new age of Intuitive Consciousness. In this new age of awakening, Fractasia takes a peak of the imagination and how we build our dreams and realities are one and the same, in the tune of synths and new wave beats.
Israel Alpizar
Born in Mexico and living in the slums of Mexico City in early childhood, Israel Alpizar jumped the border at 5 years old with his mother, landing in the American Midwest. Israel has had many quality experiences in life, from home shelters to road trips traveling the American landscape, visiting almost all 50 states with the exception of Hawaii and Alaska. After a long battle with alcoholism, he reincarnated himself and his way of life, celebrating three years of sobriety while calling Fort Myers home…for now.
Currently Israel works as an independent art director, graphic and web designer, video production and marketing brander for several companies throughout the country. Proficient in both digital media production and fine art, he received his bachelor’s degree at The Illinois Institute of Art in Chicago. Alpizar will also be instructing a Sacred Geometry Workshop on Sept. 17, Wine and Paint night on Sept. 21 and will have a closing night Masquerade party on Sept. 30.
Opening night for both exhibitions will be during Art Walk on Friday, Sept. 2 from 6 to 10 p.m. The Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center is located at 2301 First St. in the historic downtown Fort Myers River District. For more information, call 239-333-1933 or visit online at www.sbdac.com
