Old World New World explores old and new cultural forms with a sense of wonder and regard at our shared cultural continuity.
Paintings of old and new architectural monuments share the same exhibition space and blend media: from Chinese ink, mixed media, and oil, to cellular and immersive virtual reality (VR) technology. This exhibition compares and contrasts old and new cultural forms while extending the enigma of their cultural continuity from traditional to 21st century technological mediums, such as Hybrid Oil 360° Panoramic VR Paintings.
Old World New World brings contemporary oil, mixed media, and VR paintings by Dave Alber to KunShan, China.
Paintings from this exhibition:
oil on canvas and panoramic VR technology
100 x 50 cm
2019
The Temple of Mystery (Xuanmiao) is a large Taoist temple in the heart of old Suzhou. The large wooden sculpture of Taoist sage Tai San Lao Jin is visible through the doorway while the bronze sculpture of Lau Tsu’s ox (a symbol of solidity) stands in the courtyard.
Click on the image below to experience this Hybrid VR Painting™ in virtual reality.
oil on canvas and panoramic VR technology
100 x 50 cm
2019
The twin pagodas are a Suzhou landmark. Resembling two ink brushes, they are a symbol of Suzhou’s success in academic affairs, particularly in the dynastic exam system.
Click on the image below to experience this Hybrid VR Painting™ in virtual reality.
Chinese ink with oil glazes (grisaille) on canvas and panoramic VR technology
100 x 50 cm
2019
Suzhou Center contains the Suzhou Center Mall, W Hotel, and Gate to the East skyscraper, among its other buildings. In this 360° painting, Suzhou’s newest architecture is rendered in the longstanding Eastern tradition of Chinese ink painting, yet completed with oil glazes in the Western renaissance tradition of grisaille.
Click on the image below to experience this Hybrid VR Painting™ in virtual reality.
Chinese ink with oil glazes (grisaille) on canvas and panoramic VR technology
100 x 50 cm
2019
The Suzhou Hilton — or DoubleTree by Hilton Suzhou — designed by architect Hiroshi Miyakawa is one of the signature examples of contemporary architecture in Suzhou. In this 360° painting, Suzhou’s newest architecture, DoubleTree by Hilton Suzhou is rendered in the longstanding Eastern tradition of Chinese ink painting, yet completed with oil glazes in the Western renaissance tradition of grisaille.
Click on the image below to experience this Hybrid VR Painting™ in virtual reality.
This painting is also featured in the books A Curious Heart’s Wanderlust in China (ISBN-10: 1086903560) and Travel Art: Ravages of Time & Permanence of Wonder (ISBN-10: 1689274565).
“Fascinating idea to combine travel art into a book and a website community! Intimations is a short, very colorful e-book that introduces readers both to Dave Alber’s artwork, writing, and travel journeys (He’s been on the road around the world for years.) and to his Travel Art Adventurer’s Club. Alber’s paintings and drawings, along with the sometimes accompanying text, help readers connect with the cultures in which Alber has chosen to immerse himself. Seeing these slices of life in full color renderings make the scenes come alive. Alber captures expressions beautifully, such as the example of child in the cart on page 28.”
“Creative expression from travel impressions married to art. I travel and I oil paint. So I was really suprised, so pleasantly surprised when Inmet Dave and discovered his concept of travel art. I mean it was like plunking down in a bus seat after a weary day and turning to see a long lost friend right beside you. I just never thought of travel ideas and art together. And so I recognized paintings of his that captured places he had been which often require a quickness of wit, humor and reflection as not to be lost by the time we are somewhere else. A snapshot of a magic moment or impression. Surprised pleasantly by the concept of travel art and I shall integrate that into my paintings as well. Thank you David!”
“Visual Storytelling Par Excellence! Travel artist, Dave Alber’s “Ravages Of Time & Permanence Of Wonder” is visual storytelling par excellence! Dave’s work marries his images in traveling through both high and low aesthetics in Modern Contemporary Art using a diversity of artistic mediums. I am struck by the sheer joy I experience that is expressed in this visual narrative. In my encounter with this book I marvel as if a spirit that wanders alone through the world also leads one to a threshold transforming spirit to wonder, that witness who shares with others in simple happiness what there is that is eternally possible to share through art.”Stephanie Pope
Old World New World
