Reality in Layers

“Reality is subjective.”

Each of us sees the world through our own unique colored lenses of experience, emotion and perception.  What is real, what is illusion is one of the central premises of Ingrid’s work.  Looking through the transparent layers of her art is like looking through the mystery of our own senses, going deeper to the core of what makes us human.  Out past experiences make us who we are, layer upon layer, building and coloring our world.

lady-on-horse-50x41-lg

Ingrid’s most recent layered work, “Destiny Leading the Way,” reveals her most exploratory work to date.  All surfaces are transparent, the face, sides and even the back.  The viewer can literally see into the work from all angles.  The subject is only the starting place.  We see the Renaissance lady sitting atop a magnificent horse, but there is far more as we move about the work.  Layers of fabric, butterflies, clock parts, foils and paint reveal a complex world of discovery.  We see the whole AND the parts simultaneously, the small and the large together.

lady-on-horse-50x41-angle-lg

“This is the closest I’ve come yet to a work that floats, ghost-like, like an apparition visiting us from the past.  I want the viewer to see the workings of my work, see the elements inside, the parts that make her who she is and consequently look at our own parts, to discover who we are.”

“Destiny Leading the Way” is the first in this experimental series, which Ingrid plans to do as an exhibition in the near future.  “This new technique is extremely difficult and time consuming to create, both technically and creatively.  Each piece requires considering the view, from not only the front, but from all angles.  I love challenging myself.”

I think we can agree, Ingrid has once again outdone herself.

“Destiny Leading the Way” is on display at the new Master’s Gallery in the Cherry Creek area of Denver.

Three New Experimental Works by Ingrid

Lost in a Dream by Ingrid Dee Magidson
“Lost in a Dream” by Ingrid Dee Magidson

Ingrid has completed three experimental works recently.  These rich, subtle pieces are different from most of her work.  Each is nearly monochrome with splashes of intense color from the butterflies or other objects.  The main subject seems to hide in the background like an apparition, either fading into the background or emerging into our foreground.  There are fewer layers on these pieces, yet they appear almost more three dimensional.  Some so realistic, the figure seems to hover on the verge of life.  Haunting, subtle, beautiful, Ingrid has created three incredible new works.  Please post your comments, we’d love to hear your thoughts.

PS:  The codpiece on the “King of Renaissance” is a real wasp’s nest!

King of Renaissance by Ingrid Dee Magidson
“King of Renaissance” by Ingrid Dee Magidson
Queen of Masquerade by Ingrid Dee Magidson
“Queen of Masquerade” by Ingrid Dee Magidson

 

 

Exhibition details released for July 5th and 6th

Here is the official Press Release for the upcoming Exhibition in Vail this week.  We are excited for this Thursday, hope to see you there!

A Cameo Performance
A Cameo Performance by Ingrid Dee Magidson

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Transparent Canvases of Artist Ingrid Dee Magidson to be Featured at  Galerie Zuger in Vail

VAIL, Colorado (July 2, 2012) – On Thursday and Friday, July 5th and 6th Galerie Zuger will be presenting the innovative artwork of Ingrid Dee Magidson.  The artist will be at the receptions for both evenings.  Magidson, a Colorado artist, has been showing her transparent canvases for just over five years.  In that short time, she has captured the attention of numerous museums and prominent collectors, including the Smithsonian Museum of American Art, The Whitney, the Hermitage Museum Foundation and Antonio Banderas and Melanie Griffith.  This exhibition, her second at Galerie Zuger Vail is titled, “The Illusion of Time.”

Magidson mixes modern materials and renaissance images to capture what she calls “the illusory nature of time.”   In the piece “The Butterfly Effect” Magidson presents a beautiful renaissance woman in a classic pose.  But she is ghostly and transparent.  One can see through the subject into the layers beneath.  Butterflies hover in and around her as if in full flight.  Images, musical sheets, antique jewelry and manuscripts can be seen through her.  The more the viewer looks, the more is revealed.

To create this floating effect, Magidson uses layers of acrylic, collage and objects in a kind of three dimensional assemblage or transparent canvas.  As the viewer moves around the artwork, hidden objects reveal themselves and others disappear.  It is a kind of reverse illusion; what appears flat is actually three dimensional and the objects that are three dimensional appear flat.  Once involved, it is difficult to look away.

Magidson is no stranger to art.  Both her parents are artists, as is her identical twin sister.  Her husband is an art dealer and writer, whom she met at his art gallery.  Asked how she came up with her unique style of art Magidson said:

“I used to go to museums with my parents as a child.  I never forgot the paintings I saw and wondered how many other beautiful paintings were tucked away in storage that no one would see.  Later, as an artist, I decided to bring these paintings and the people they depicted back to life.  I couldn’t just paint them in an ordinary way – that had been done before.  So I started playing with modern materials and techniques. Those first exploratory months were the most challenging and darkest times of my life, but I finally had a break-through and it made all those moments worth it.”

There will be two receptions with the artist in attendance, Thursday, July 5th and Friday, July 6th from 3 to 7pm both nights.  The exhibition will continue for two weeks.   Galeryie Zuger Vail is on the second floor of the Solaris building in the heart of Vail, Colorado.

For More Information:

Rayla Kundolf
art@galeriezugervail.com
(970) 476-5619

Documentary of Ingrid Magidson’s Work Wins 2012 Telly Award

Congratulations to The Reid Effect of Pioria, AZ for their recent award of a Silver Telly (highest honor) for “Windows Through Time” a documentary of Ingrid Dee Magidson’s art work.

Rob Reid came to the studio of Ingrid Dee Magidson in Colorado in the fall of 2010 to record and interview Ingrid and Jay Magidson.  He and his film crew were on site for three days filming and interviewing the artist and her husband.  It was a unique experience to say the least.  Rob is a consummate professional.  He has a way of making you feel at ease even in the most difficult shots.  For example, Ingrid was retelling the story of her youth, about particular difficulties that ultimately led her to a life of art.  At one point, she was overwhelmed with emotion and was unable to continue.  Rob respected the emotion and the moment.  He never hurried her or tried to move on, he simply waited, “when you’re ready, we’ll continue.”

Filming moved into Ingrid’s studio.  This was not an easy place to shoot.  It is very crowded and the light is difficult.  Ingrid’s work has many reflective surfaces that make it very difficult to photograph.  Rob and his crew moved in without a complaint, setting up lights and reflectors and in no time they were filming.  Take a look at the final minutes of the film, it shows some very creative shots that Rob came up with where Ingrid is on the other side of the art.

Thank you Rob and congratulations on your much deserved award.

2012 Silver Telly Award to The Reid Effect for Film Documentary, “Windows Through Time,” the work of Ingrid Dee Magidson

Ingrid Magidson’s Artist Documentary Now Online

“Windows Through Time” a documentary of Ingrid Dee Magidson and her work is now online.  It was filmed and produced by The Reid Effect for Paul Zuger, major art dealer and owner of 10 galleries throughout the Western United States. The Reid Effect is known for its extensive experience in documentaries and artist monographs.

From the film description:

This visually stunning documentary takes you behind the scenes, for an honest glimpse into the passions and experiences that drive Ingrid’s creations.

Running time 21 minutes.

For more information about The Reid Effect

For more information about Galerie Zuger

Video of Ingrid’s Exhibiton in Denver

Here is a video overview of Ingrid’s exhibition in Denver, Colorado that opened Friday, May 20.  If  you are in Denver, go see the exhibition.  It is magnificent.

The Exhibition is at the Masters Gallery in Greenwood Village, www.mastersgallerydenver.com.

The video can be played at high resolution (1080) for better detail.

Final 5 pieces complete – Exhibition Opens Thursday!

Our Eternity Begins Now 53 x 38"
Our Eternity Begins Now 53 x 38"

Ingrid has finished and sent off the final 5 pieces for her exhibition in Denver.  “Windows into the Past” opens Thursday & Friday at the Masters Gallery from 6-9pm both nights.  Ingrid is very proud of her latest work.  The exhibition consists of 11 works, all but one completed in 2011.  “It has been thrilling.  I dug deep into myself for this group, and I’m very pleased with the results.  I can’t wait to see all the work hung in the gallery.”  Ingrid said yesterday as the works left her studio.  “The works are very personal to me.”  She said.  “Sometimes people ask, ‘Then how can you let them go?’  Once the emotions are expressed they are free to go.   When they leave, they create a space for me to create more.  And that is what I live for in my art.”

“Windows into the Past”

Opening on two nights: Thursday and Friday, May 19 and 20 at 6-9pm.
Masters Gallery
The Village Shops at The Landmark
5370 Greenwood Plaza Blvd.
Greenwood Village, CO 80111
Phone: 303.221.2449
www.mastersgallerydenver.com