Alejandro García Contreras's exhibition at the Bibliothèque Polonaise brings together the works of three artists: Béla Bégányi, Eugène Vallière, and Jean-Antoine Chaudet, who are known for their Symbolist paintings. The exhibition reveals how these artists shared a symbolic language, using metaphysical energy to create inner states, cosmic forces, and psychic archetypes.
The works of Biegas, Moreau, and Contreras resonate with Jacobo Grinberg's Syntergic Theory, which proposes that experience emerges from the interaction between the energetic field created by the brain and the energetic structure of the universe. The artists' use of symbolism and metaphysical energy creates a liminal threshold between matter and spirit, a portal to other extensions of the human soul.
The exhibition also explores the recurring theme of the "Island of the Dead," inspired by Arnold Böcklin's Symbolist painting "Die Toteninsel." This motif is reinterpreted as a metaphysical landscape of transformation rather than finality, a site of passage where matter and spirit merge. The artwork itself becomes a center of consciousness, embodying the belief that human existence is cyclical – part of a universal rhythm binding life, death, and creation into one continuous flow.
The show brings together forty-four works, including paintings, drawings, and sculptures in porcelain, plaster, clay, and wax. The artworks oscillate between harmony and chaos, drawn with a line that is at once delicate and forceful. Their figures externalize emotions, instincts, and dreams – what both Biegas and Contreras describe as "the invisible life of things."
The exhibition offers a revised history of Symbolism in a single time and place; here, the distinction between modern and contemporary art dissolves. The shared symbolic language of these artists highlights their potential for spiritual universality, urging us to embrace our individualities and uncover luminous truths about what it means to exist, to create, and to harness the power of mythic imagination to access other dimensions.
In this sense, the exhibition is a holistic ode to our potentially infinite individualities. It reveals how these artists revived a language that remains capable of restoring coherence and meaning in a fractured age – a testament to the enduring power of art to connect us with the mysteries of existence.
The works of Biegas, Moreau, and Contreras resonate with Jacobo Grinberg's Syntergic Theory, which proposes that experience emerges from the interaction between the energetic field created by the brain and the energetic structure of the universe. The artists' use of symbolism and metaphysical energy creates a liminal threshold between matter and spirit, a portal to other extensions of the human soul.
The exhibition also explores the recurring theme of the "Island of the Dead," inspired by Arnold Böcklin's Symbolist painting "Die Toteninsel." This motif is reinterpreted as a metaphysical landscape of transformation rather than finality, a site of passage where matter and spirit merge. The artwork itself becomes a center of consciousness, embodying the belief that human existence is cyclical – part of a universal rhythm binding life, death, and creation into one continuous flow.
The show brings together forty-four works, including paintings, drawings, and sculptures in porcelain, plaster, clay, and wax. The artworks oscillate between harmony and chaos, drawn with a line that is at once delicate and forceful. Their figures externalize emotions, instincts, and dreams – what both Biegas and Contreras describe as "the invisible life of things."
The exhibition offers a revised history of Symbolism in a single time and place; here, the distinction between modern and contemporary art dissolves. The shared symbolic language of these artists highlights their potential for spiritual universality, urging us to embrace our individualities and uncover luminous truths about what it means to exist, to create, and to harness the power of mythic imagination to access other dimensions.
In this sense, the exhibition is a holistic ode to our potentially infinite individualities. It reveals how these artists revived a language that remains capable of restoring coherence and meaning in a fractured age – a testament to the enduring power of art to connect us with the mysteries of existence.
. I mean, who wouldn't want to explore the "Island of the Dead" and experience some cosmic forces? 
It's like they're showing us that life, death, and creation are all connected in this big cycle 
. And I love how their art is both delicate and forceful at the same time – it's like a balance between being gentle and being wild 
. Their use of symbolism and metaphysical energy is really thought-provoking, too... it makes you think about what it means to exist and create 
. Anyway, I'm definitely checking out this exhibition now! 
. I mean, how cool is it that their works can create this sense of liminal threshold between matter and spirit? It's like we're being invited to step into another realm altogether 
. And I love how the exhibition brings together these different artists and styles in a way that dissolves the boundaries between modern and contemporary art 
. The "Island of the Dead" motif is especially captivating - it's like they're exploring this idea of transformation as a natural part of life, rather than something fixed or final 
. Can we talk about how this exhibition feels like a holistic celebration of our individualities and the power of imagination? 
. The way the artists use metaphysical energy and symbolism to create inner states and cosmic forces is super interesting 
. Our individualities are so unique, but we can all connect through art and imagination 
. It's like the artworks are showing us that there's this bigger picture out there, and we can tap into it 
. I'm curious to see how this exhibition blends the boundaries between art, spirituality, and our everyday lives. It's like they're saying that even in a chaotic world, we can find coherence and meaning through these symbolic languages 
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I'm really loving this exhibition at the Bibliothèque Polonaise! The way it brings together these artists from different eras is like, totally mind-blowing. It's all about that symbolism and metaphysical energy 
, creating a whole new vibe that's like, beyond words 
The way they're using these cosmic forces and psychic archetypes is giving me major chills 
... it's like we're being reminded that there's more to life than what we can see on the surface 
... anyway, I think this show is like, a total masterpiece 
. The works on display are like nothing I've ever seen before - it's like they're speaking a different language, but somehow you get it anyway 
. The way these artists use symbolism and metaphysical energy to tap into our deepest selves is just mind-blowing. It's like they're showing us that there's more to life than what we can see on the surface.
. And the way the artworks blend together, it's like they're trying to tell us something about the interconnectedness of all things... anyway, I just feel so inspired and hopeful after seeing this exhibit 
! They're bringing together some amazing Symbolist artists like Béla Bégányi and Eugène Vallière, and it's so cool to see how their styles intersect. I mean, who wouldn't want to explore a world where art meets spirituality and symbolism? The show is all about tapping into the universal rhythm of life, death, and creation – it's like they're saying our individuality is connected to something way bigger than ourselves 
It's crazy to think about how these three artists - Bégányi, Vallière, and Chaudet - were able to tap into this collective symbolic language. 
It's amazing to see how these artists used symbolism and metaphysical energy to create a liminal threshold between matter and spirit. 
. These artists are trying to tap into some sort of cosmic energy or whatever, but is it just a fancy way of saying they're tapping into our collective unconscious? 
. I'll stick to my old-school tech for now 
. And Eugène Vallière's use of symbolism is so on point 
. But what really got me thinking is how all these artists are exploring the idea that our human existence is connected to something bigger than ourselves 
. I mean, we're not just physical beings, we're also cosmic beings, part of this universal rhythm 
. It's like, the "Island of the Dead" isn't really about death at all, it's about transformation and rebirth 
. And that artwork in porcelain? So delicate yet powerful 
. I'm loving how this exhibition is making me think about my own existence and what it means to be human 
. The way these artists are using symbolism to tap into the invisible life of things... it's like, whoa! 
. I mean, who knew art could be so... spiritual? 
, like you feel like you're transported to another dimension 
. the way they use metaphysical energy is crazy 
[link to exhibit review](https://www.artnet.com/art-news/exhibit-review-alejandro-garcia-contreras-exhibition-2161795)
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