Why hyperrealism?

By choosing to express himself or herself in a certain style, every artist has a motivation, found more deeply than the appearances could show. This is why I invite you to take a closer look to hyperrealism and find out which are the reasons of an artist for choosing it as the best representation of the inner feelings.

Art is the expression of the soul, a symbolic message between all people whose aim is to find beauty and inner peace. So, by an artist's choice to present his work in a particular style, we can somehow rediscover his own perspective towards life. Art is a language, maybe the most subjective one, maybe the one that leaves the most to be discovered about who stays behind the finished artwork. The art is an avatar for feelings, that is not meant to hide them, but to reveal the essence to the ones who can genuinely understand what is beneath the surface.

The style is unique for every artist, just as the soul itself is just a little piece shining in its own way, but still as part of the world's great mosaic that we call life. Apart from the individual subjectivity, the artworks are, as well, some of the best historical proofs of the spirituality, state of mind, doctrines, social contexts, fashion and appearance of people at a certain time. In strong connection with the thinking currents, art suggestively illustrates its epoch. That because the external context imprints on the artist's own way of thinking. But the society is not the only one able to influence art. The people most near to the artists are of utmost importance. Especially in the past, art was learned as a craft, in the companionship of other aspiring artists and with the support of a master, who had already made a name for himself in the field of arts. Nowadays, most artists are self-taught, still taking examples from others in order to perfect their techniques and, then, to define their own style. We could conclude that art is the result of the historical context, of the school the artist belongs to and, last but not least, of the individual manner of the artist.

Today, the world of art has seen countless approaches on the idea of art and beauty. All styles seem to coexist, and this may be the result of our cosmopolite society, who has more opportunities and more freedom than ever, but less power of thought, hope and will. Only complexity could make an one-word definition to the art of today, and this is due to cosmopolitism, self-taught art and of the unclearly defined moral and artistic standards of the individuals.

Recently, currents like photorealism or hyperrealism have hogged the limelight, setting very high standards for the artists which are on their way to refine their skills. So closely approaching the reality as it can be perceived by our senses, these currents have received both criticism and appreciation.

Hyperrealistic drawings are generally impressive due to their degree of accuracy and the artist who produces them is praised for his talent and techniques. On the other hand, as Hippolyte Taine stated in his work 'Philosophy of art', it is not the art's purpose to create an illusion over senses, an exact imitation; instead, the artist should enhance one essential characteristic of the subject of the artwork.

Those contrasting opinions may result in a wrong perception, that hyperrealism is not true art, because it perfectly imitates the nature instead of depicting feelings and emotional implication from the artist. The only thing which remains undoubtable is the great skill which needs to be put in such a work. But, by considering this as the only reason, we would surely fall into the trap of superficiality. 

Taking into account the materialistic approach on life that is so widely adopted nowadays, we may state that the society we live in is less interested in the profound meanings of the art and more inclined to perceive art as decoration. We tend to be more impressed by the technical details of an artwork than by the subject itself, and, by such a superficial approach, we lose the essence of an artwork - which is to be found beyond its shape, technique and dimensions. Actually, an artwork could only be decoded by the souls. But it seems that lots of people lack the sensibility of interpretation, the refinement in thoughts and tastes that would make them search the esthetic pleasure instead of passing fads.

The mentality of our epoch seems to be the reason why hyperrealism exists - a current apparently excessively focused on details, a technique more than a message, meant to impress everyone by the shape itself and, apparently, with no profound implication.

But the essence of any form of art is always to be found beyond the appearances. Even the impressive accuracy in hyperrealism should be left behind, if we really want to make a sense of what the artist wants to express, what message is forgotten under the appearance of "perfection". What any hyperrealistic artwork has to say, what is left unnoticed in every little detail, is the wish to make people see the beauty in every little moment of their life, to show how all the minimal aspects counts a lot when we want to build our lives beautifully. How every second that passes can be the best in a lifetime. How there are no good and bad moments, just illusions that hide the truth - the truth which says that our world is a perfect mosaic of beauty that should be admired starting with its every detail. How the light beautifully reflects the soul in our eyes... How there are shadow all around, but no complete darkness... How every detail in our skin makes us what we are. How, in order to perceive the whole in the light of wisdom, you should start by seeing the sparkle of its most insignificant particles. 

Hyperrealism present the world objectively and by this it does not lose any of its beauty in the relative perception based on feelings - illusions that come and go. It praises the plain truth more than a simple, temporary reflection of it. It is not the art of the human with its imaginary fears and inner conflicts, it is the art of the beautiful nature, of the reality, which is sufficient in itself and is everything - what we are and what is everything around us. A vision which is not egocentric, but always opened to everything, in the same way. Because the subject of the real art should not be the impact of the appearances on a conscience lost in subjective notions like good and evil, but the essence itself, as it can be revealed to us only by harmony and inner peace.

Every moment that passes is, in that very moment, the one that defines your life and writes your future. Hyperrealism is the expression of the purest appreciation towards the wonderful world that we are part of... The symbol of the beauty which stays in every detail, but which we are often too blind to see... If any of these artworks could write its story, that would be:

Start seeing the world not only with your eyes wide open, but with your soul, because all the illusions will disappear in its light. Then, feel how everything that surround you is Beauty, how everything, in fact, is part of the same pure essence. See how yourself make part of this wonder - you are the one that makes the world complete, just as any detail of the drawing makes it what it is. Trust this wonder - and, beyond the shapes, the clouds, the hachures, the lines - there is only light - the light of the infinite which is found, deeper that anything, in your soul.

Here you can check out my first hyperrealistic drawing: Drawing of an Eye