Gonzalo Papantonakis “See Music” Written By Dennis Spafford
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Gonzalo Papantonakis’s most recent exhibition in New York, “See Music”, was the perfect way to end the year. His work embodies many of the questions we find ourselves asking now that 2004 draws to a close and a new year is at our doorstep.

The exhibition itself is an experiment in creating visual music, as well as a medium for Papantonakis to express his views on our current cultural problems and dilemmas. Both of these endeavors extend to the viewer a fresh new way to see the World around them.

In my opinion, the most significant and visually captivating piece in this exhibition is U.S. (mixed media on Canvas, 68x88). A barrage of images that we all recognize, flood your mind when you come upon this painting. It intoxicates you and while at the same time makes you think

I spoke with Mr. Papantonakis about what he was trying to say in U.S. and he said quite simple, “life”. Papantonakis went on to explain that so many of the things we create (which are often used for War) are based on nature, such as planes are based on birds or helicopters based upon dragonflies. These images of mankind’s imitation of nature are ominous, along with the blood dripping down along the top of the picture, reminds of how terrible war is.

Papantonakis also explained to me some of the other parts of the painting. Along the upper right hand side, there is a large 2004 with an image of a man running across it. He says that this represents flight from 2004 into 2005, hoping that this year will better than the last. The three images of man, the fetus, skull, and solider are meant to represent the three stages of man, or what it may be to be man. While below a puzzles piece with the word “God” on it means that God is the missing piece in our understanding of the world at large.

At the bottom of the painting there is a striking image of a woman in a hiijab, who has blue eyes and is wearing a pin that says I love NY. This image alone is so very powerful and challenges us to think differently about how we view images that we may otherwise scorn.

Lastly but certainly not least, Papantonakis goal of transforming sound into image into art is wonderfully rendered in this painting. The body of the guitar is the background for the whole picture. Also musical lyrics from various artists have become part of the painting, while a formal musical standard has been also added to the background. Having music accompany so many powerful questions and images of our collective society certainly supports Papantonakis’s perspective that music is in everything and part of everything that we do.

If you search for higher meaning or for high art, both can be found in Papantonakis’s work. I truly recommend to anyone who has just read this brief introduction to Mr. Papantonakis’s work to contemplate this painting and ask yourself some of the questions he posses, while at the same time embracing his gift of music for the eyes.

On The Web | www.seemusic.org