Finding harmony across dualities – Felipe Pantone’s KOSMOS Series

In the philosophical lexicon, the words balance, order, and equilibrium are all reflective states of mind. They can be illusory as they can be real.  Oscillating between the highly hypothetical to the most pragmatic, this terminology presents itself in largely subjective ways.  Order and disorder, balance and imbalance, harmony and chaos and so on are dualities that lend life its many hues and incredible rhythm. There is indeed a strange state of balance between the polarities of life, a point where the dualities seem to seamlessly flow into one another.  But is that state necessarily one of harmony? To the world of art and imagination what makes the discussion on polarities of life most interesting and pertinent is perhaps the possibility of artistic expression of the perfectly coordinated and congruent space between these dichotomies, the viability of finding solitude amidst the chaos.  Sparking intense contemplation and rich conversations on the themes of equilibrium, the interconnectedness between polarities and an elusive entity called order in disarray, visual artist Felipe Pantone’s KOSMOS series is essentially an investigative pursuit that delves into the mysteries of light and space. 

Bold patterns trapped in rare gestures of movement that dissolve the divide between graffiti art, fine art, street art, digital art and abstractions is one way to look at the creations of Argentinian-Spanish Artist Felipe Pantone; another way to experience his colossal creativity is to soak in the energy, dynamism and sense of motion that he builds into his visual art using electrifying hues, varied techniques, textures and mediums.  Manifesting monumental impressions both within the viewer and beyond his art can be found at several places from Valencia to Miami, Spain to New York, Brussels and further on.  Synthesizing aesthetics and technology, and through his signature style of combining mesmeric hues that stand out against their setting and forms he creates a powerful visual vocabulary that is both impactful and interactive; each time provoking interesting liaisons between his art and their viewers.  

One of the most important aspects of Felipe’s art is the element of movement that he imparts deftly into his works.  His solo exhibition on SUBTRACTIVE VARIABILITY KOSMOS series that debuted at CONTROL Gallery in Los Angeles recently featured an impressive collection of works that produced motion for long periods of time to manifest the experience of peace and harmony. The KOSMOS series conceived as an offshoot of the Kinetic Art Movement is also one of its most articulate expositions through dynamic and eloquent pieces that engaged viewers through a unique experience of coherence using movement and colours.  The collection of works in this series succinctly explored the idea of perfect equilibrium and balance which form the key themes in the Kinetic Art Movement. 

Talking about the concept of KOSMOS and the inspiration leading to the show, Felipe explains that it was all about finding balance amidst opposing forces and exploring the space between polarities, suffused with motion and imagination.  “I drew inspiration from the idea that all forms are related and how even in the midst of opposites, there can be perfect equilibrium. The show featured my new series, SUBTRACTIVE VARIABILITY KOSMOS, which created continuous motion for extended periods of time.  Through KOSMOS, I explored the idea of finding balance between polar opposites in life. I expressed this concept through a combination of form and color in my artwork, with works that produced continuous motion over extensive time. The series created a balance between two extremes, where both existed at the same place and time, and paid homage to the digital age while pushing the boundaries of kinetic art. The imperfections within the system were what set into motion works that celebrated how all forms are related and explored the idea that the moments in between are those in which we live, feel and operate”.

KOSMOS at the crossroads of polarities called art and technology was evidently a celebration of the balance between the dualities of imagination and reality.  Felipe adds, “By incorporating technology into my work, I aimed to stretch the boundaries of traditional fine art while creating something new. At the same time, I was always mindful of maintaining a balance between art and technology, using technology as a tool to enhance the creative process rather than replace it”.

He refers to SUBTRACTIVE VARIABILITY KOSMOS 3, one of the works in the series to demonstrate how his multidimensional works relate to the sense of equilibrium. He says, “The collection creates a sense of balance between a world of duality, where extremes can exist at the same time and place. In "SV KOSMOS 3” work, by incorporating motion into a series of acrylic panels in balance, infinite colour gradients were created. The moments in between these polarities were what the series celebrates, exploring the idea that imperfections within the system, set into motion, work that honour how all forms are related”.

When all polarities are balanced at the point of equilibrium, dualities simply become the departure point of a journey unto order, albeit subjective.  Through the use of colour and form, the artist aimed to create harmony between extremes such as light and dark, positive and negative, jubilance and melancholy. He says, “By focusing on the interims and the intervals, my goal with KOSMOS was to create an immersive and transcendent experience for viewers”.

When asked about the opinion of viewers and their takeaway from the show, Felipe says, “The response from viewers of KOSMOS at CONTROL Gallery was positive, and I'm glad that people were able to appreciate and connect with my work. I think the main takeaway from the show was the exploration of digital-like experiences through analogue works in constant motion triggered by balanced polarities and the idea that everything is interconnected”.