Author Archives: Kaloust Guedel

An Innovative Approach to Bringing Historical Roots to Contemporary Art

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Over the past four decades, Kaloust Guedel has worked in diverse styles and techniques, constantly searching for the "perfect" resonance, ever aware that his search is an endless one. His next experiment was to combine a painting he had painted with a sculpture he didn't particularly like.

"I thought something was missing with it, but couldn't put my finger on it," he said. To see what would happen, he cut out the shape of the figure in hand and placed it inside the cut area, unaware that he had stumbled upon an old inlay technique.

Guedel's rediscovery of inlay through art is a pioneering achievement in contemporary painting. Guedel calls the inlay work "an investigation of immersion in painting."

The use of inlay is very widespread in decorative art. The earliest example of the inlay dates back to 2500 B.C., and it comes from Mesopotamia's Sumer civilization. There are also examples from China dating back to 400 B.C. Sculptures of inlay work are found in various periods. It was later popularized in Europe by Andre-Charles Boulle (1642-1732).

Guedel's prior work was based on the idea of excessivism. He was instrumental in bringing the movement to the masses. He curated the inaugural exhibition at a Los Angeles art gallery. As the movement's popularity grew around the world, other artists, fashion designers, and musicians joined in, transforming it into a global art movement in line with globalization. Even Gallero magazine went so far as to call it, "... truly a millennial movement in all senses of the word."

Guedel talks about his work with the utmost passion. "What interests me is the relationship between the elements that I find captivating for my curiosity at the moment of creation. I see my work as a body of records of ideas, thoughts, and feelings. The timeline can be traced by going back to my earlier works and determining my feelings and thoughts at the time of their creation," he said.

He adds, "To me, art is a form of communication in which you express yourself about something; you do so from the depths of your spiritual being; a place where consciousness cannot fully penetrate. I suppose that is what makes art so mysterious and so individualistic."

Learn more at: http://www.zdom.com/

Over the past four decades, Kaloust Guedel has worked in diverse styles and techniques, constantly searching for the "perfect" resonance, ever aware that his search is an endless one. His next experiment was to combine a painting he had painted with a sculpture he didn't particularly like.

Related link: http://www.zdom.com/

Why Donald Trump’s Bid for Presidency Related to New Art Movement is Essential? Artist Kaloust Guedel Explains

LOS ANGELES, Calif., Dec. 14, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- We've all heard the phrase, "Art imitates life." And it could not ring truer than in how a new contemporary art movement, Excessivism, founded by American artist, Kaloust Guedel, that showcases the excessiveness present in people's lives, correlates to Donald Trump's bid for the GOP presidential nomination.

"The art is not always about 'the deal,' but it's about relevancy in real life," Guedel says.

The Excessivism Movement first debuted in Los Angeles at LA Artcore at an exhibition titled, "Excessivist Initiative," with 21 artists, many of them internationally recognized.

With economic and political excessivism at the very core of this new art movement, it naturally relates to Trump's political path.

From the early days, Trump's career was marked by excessivist tendencies and hyperbole. And it continues. While Americans have gotten somewhat used to being misled during political campaigns, Trump takes it to the next level. From sweeping cultural generalities about Mexicans to personal financial misrepresentations, Trump is the poster child for excessivism and exaggeration.

In fact, according to the October issue of Forbes' magazine, this presidential GOP front-runner isn't as rich as he thinks. He initially pegged his net worth at around $9 billion, but according to its ranking of the wealthiest people in the U.S., Forbes lists his riches at $4.5 billion. That's a 100 percent markup. Excessive and exaggerated? Yes.

This discrepancy is noteworthy because Trump says, "We need a leader who wrote 'The Art of the Deal.'" Guedel questions this statement at its heart and ties it into this new art movement.

Shanna Nys Dambrout, art historian, critic and curator says that, "Excessivism is a movement which in itself is contemporaneously developing and annexing. It has a founder, several early adopters and a manifesto."

The Excessivism Movement quite simply reflects the capitalist system where excess is constantly encouraged for the sole purpose to deliver profit, without consideration of all other aspects, including human and environmental.

"Now, America must ask itself if it wants a president who puts his name on every shining object with excessivism as the big pay-off. It remains to be seen," Guedel says.

About the Artist:

American artist, Kaloust Guedel, was born 1956. He describes himself as a "self-educated artist." Since 1975, he has lived and worked in Los Angeles. His work explores contemporary issues and often takes a critical stand on various shortcomings present in today's society. Throughout the years, he has explored subjects such as genocide, war and abuse. Despite varying styles and techniques, his work has been consistent with contemporary sensibility and has reflected the consciousness of its time.

For more information about the Excessivism Movement, visit: http://www.excessivism.com/.

* Photo for media: http://www.excessivism.com/images/5_4x5-300DPI.jpg
* Photo Caption: Kaloust Guedel, "Painting #2," 95-inches x 48-inches x 15-inches, Plexiglas, vinyl, acrylic and aluminum, 2015.

Twitter: #excessivism #kaloustguedel

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NEWS SOURCE Kaloust Guedel :: This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (who is solely responsible for its accuracy) by and Copr. © 2015 Send2Press® Newswire, a service of Neotrope®.

Excessivism is Best Kept Secret in the Art World

LOS ANGELES, Calif., Nov. 2, 2015 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Art collectors have something to get excited about. It's a new global art movement called "Excessivism" and its early adopters date back to the late twentieth century. The movement's founder, American artist Kaloust Guedel, explains that Excessivism is a commentary on economic materialism.

"The art reflects and examines the excessive desire to acquire material goods beyond one's needs and often means," he says.

With little or no consideration for human and environmental consequences, but with incomparable contribution to economic growth, employment and prosperity, Excessivism portrays how a capitalistic society operates and communicates through various techniques and styles.

A recent exhibit, "Excessivist Initiative," displayed works from 21 artists who examined and reflected on society's attitude towards material values. For instance, these artists portrayed the excessively generous use of resources in contemporary circumstances.

Guedel is one of the leading voices in the space of this contemporary art movement and says that the art world should take note.

And, he's not the only one. According to a San Diego-based art adviser, Aldis Browne, historically collectible art involves movements and the influences artists have on the successive generations.

For example, the pop art movement and specifically, the work of Jeff Koons, was part of a generation of artists who explored the meaning of art in a media-saturated era. His works sold for substantial sums of money, including at least one world record auction price for a work by a living artist.

Guedel says that Koons' culturally relevant work introduced glamour into pop art and that Excessivism too delivers an important message, but with a seductive allure. We're on the brink of an artistic revolution."

So, who are the van Goghs or Picassos of the contemporary art world today? Excessivism may just be the movement that delivers a generation of artists who will be revered for years to come.

About the Founder:

American artist Kaloust Guedel was born in 1956. He describes himself as a "self-educated artist." Since 1975, he has lived and worked in Los Angeles. His work explores contemporary issues and often takes a critical stand on various shortcomings present in today's society. Despite varying styles and techniques, his work has been consistent with contemporary sensibility and has reflected the consciousness of its time.

More information: http://www.excessivism.com/.

* IMAGE: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/15-1102-guedel-art-300dpi.jpg

To view the original version on Send2Press Newswire, visit: https://www.send2press.com/newswire/excessivism-is-best-kept-secret-in-the-art-world-2015-1102-03.shtml.