Luis Molinari
Encyclopedia
Luis Molinari (Luis Molinari-Flores) was a member of VAN (Vanguardia Artística Nacional), a group of informal constructivist
artist
s founded by Enrique Tábara
.
Molinari began his artistic career focused on formalism
, but soon discovered the works of Vasarely and was inspired by geometric forms
and their rich optical effects. From 1951-1960, Molinari lived and painted in Buenos Aires
, Argentina
. In 1960
, Molinari traveled to Paris
, France
, where he began work with the Group de Recherche d'Art Visuel. Molinari lived in Paris from 1960 to 1966. In 1963, Molinari exhibited his painting La Cuna de Mangle at the Paris Biennial at the Museum of Modern Art. In 1964, Molinari took a two month trip to the United States to study the artworks in museums of major US cities. Intrigued by pop art in America, he saw its infinite possibilities.
In 1966, Molinari moved back to Ecuador with the sole purpose of acquiring a visa to move to the United States. During his time back in Guayaquil, Ecuador, Molinari reconnected with old colleagues: Enrique Tábara
, Aníbal Villacís
, Leon Ricuarte, Gilberto Almeida, Oswaldo Moerno and Guillermo Munoz and began working with their group VAN (Vanguardia Artistica Nacional). Two years later, in 1968, Molinari settled his visa and moved to New York
where he lived for seven years. While in New York, Molinari became fascinated with the optical geometric (Op Art
) works of Vasarely. He soon developed his own style, inspired by that of his compatriot, Tábara, that fused the tropical nature of his hometown into the informal constructivist geometry, toward the creation of a visual autonomy. In further development, Molinari began to focus on the geometrical optical effects and changing perspectives. He began intense studies of color theory, yet at times explored spontaneity of color and chromatic delusions.
Like other VAN informalists, Molinari sought to honor the history of his homeland with a tribute to Pre-Columbian architecture
, as seen in his 1974 painting, Temple of the nuns-Uxmal.
Constructivism (art)
Constructivism was an artistic and architectural philosophy that originated in Russia beginning in 1919, which was a rejection of the idea of autonomous art. The movement was in favour of art as a practice for social purposes. Constructivism had a great effect on modern art movements of the 20th...
artist
Artist
An artist is a person engaged in one or more of any of a broad spectrum of activities related to creating art, practicing the arts and/or demonstrating an art. The common usage in both everyday speech and academic discourse is a practitioner in the visual arts only...
s founded by Enrique Tábara
Enrique Tábara
Luis Enrique Tábara is a master Ecuadorian painter and teacher representing a whole Hispanic pictorial and artistic culture....
.
Molinari began his artistic career focused on formalism
Formalism (art)
In art theory, formalism is the concept that a work's artistic value is entirely determined by its form--the way it is made, its purely visual aspects, and its medium. Formalism emphasizes compositional elements such as color, line, shape and texture rather than realism, context, and content...
, but soon discovered the works of Vasarely and was inspired by geometric forms
Geometry
Geometry arose as the field of knowledge dealing with spatial relationships. Geometry was one of the two fields of pre-modern mathematics, the other being the study of numbers ....
and their rich optical effects. From 1951-1960, Molinari lived and painted in Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America, after São Paulo. It is located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent...
, Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
. In 1960
1960 in art
-Awards:*Archibald Prize: Judy Cassab - Stanislaus Rapotec*Prix de Rome - Pierre Carron-Works:*M. C. Escher - Ascending and Descending*Barbara Hepworth - Figure for a Landscape and Archaeon*Yves Klein - A Leap Into The Void...
, Molinari traveled to Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, where he began work with the Group de Recherche d'Art Visuel. Molinari lived in Paris from 1960 to 1966. In 1963, Molinari exhibited his painting La Cuna de Mangle at the Paris Biennial at the Museum of Modern Art. In 1964, Molinari took a two month trip to the United States to study the artworks in museums of major US cities. Intrigued by pop art in America, he saw its infinite possibilities.
In 1966, Molinari moved back to Ecuador with the sole purpose of acquiring a visa to move to the United States. During his time back in Guayaquil, Ecuador, Molinari reconnected with old colleagues: Enrique Tábara
Enrique Tábara
Luis Enrique Tábara is a master Ecuadorian painter and teacher representing a whole Hispanic pictorial and artistic culture....
, Aníbal Villacís
Aníbal Villacís
Aníbal Villacís is a master painter from Ecuador who used raw earthen materials such as clay and natural pigments to paint on walls and doors throughout his city when he could not afford expensive artist materials. As a teenager, Villacís taught himself drawing and composition by studying and...
, Leon Ricuarte, Gilberto Almeida, Oswaldo Moerno and Guillermo Munoz and began working with their group VAN (Vanguardia Artistica Nacional). Two years later, in 1968, Molinari settled his visa and moved to New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
where he lived for seven years. While in New York, Molinari became fascinated with the optical geometric (Op Art
Op art
Op art, also known as optical art, is a style of visual art that makes use of optical illusions."Optical art is a method of painting concerning the interaction between illusion and picture plane, between understanding and seeing." Op art works are abstract, with many of the better known pieces made...
) works of Vasarely. He soon developed his own style, inspired by that of his compatriot, Tábara, that fused the tropical nature of his hometown into the informal constructivist geometry, toward the creation of a visual autonomy. In further development, Molinari began to focus on the geometrical optical effects and changing perspectives. He began intense studies of color theory, yet at times explored spontaneity of color and chromatic delusions.
Like other VAN informalists, Molinari sought to honor the history of his homeland with a tribute to Pre-Columbian architecture
Architectural style
Architectural styles classify architecture in terms of the use of form, techniques, materials, time period, region and other stylistic influences. It overlaps with, and emerges from the study of the evolution and history of architecture...
, as seen in his 1974 painting, Temple of the nuns-Uxmal.