Achieving spiritual synthesis [slide]
by Delia Mastrojanni Smith
A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Fine Arts
Montana State University
© Copyright by Delia Mastrojanni Smith (1988)
Abstract:
no abstract found in this volume
ACHI EVI NG
SPIRITUAL
SYNTHESIS
by
Delia Ma st rojanni
Smith
A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment
of the requirements for the degree
of
Master of Fine Arts
M ON T A N A STATE UNIVERSITY
BOZEMAN, M O NT A N A
May
1988
A/
Srri 5 ^ ’
COPYRIGHT
by
Delia Mastrojanni
Smith
1988
All
rights
Reserved
APPROVAL
of a thesis
submitted by
Delia Mastrojanni
Smith ■
This thesis has been read by each member of the thesis
committee and has been found to be satisfactory regarding
c o n t e n t , English usage, f o r m a t , citations, bibliographic
style, and c o n s i s t e n c y , and is ready for submission to the
College of Graduate Studies.
/ ----
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Da t e
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5% z-D Head,
Date
Approved
Ahte
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for the College
of Graduate
G r a d u a t eV Dean
Studies
ill
STATEMENT OF P E RMI SS ION TO USE
In pr esenting
fulfillment
this
thesis
of the requirements
at Monta na
State University,
shall make
it available
Library.
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P erm is sio n for extensive
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for a master's
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qu otation from or
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Director of Libraries when,
in the opinion of e i t h e r ,
the proposed use of the material
purposes.
thesis
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be allowed without
I
CONCEPT PROCESS
The human figure
and
inspirat io n for my work.
the landscape
are
the
sources
of
Shape and color are my main
concerns.
As an artist
s t a n d p o i n t , and
I view nature
I use my visual
m a t t e r , s p a c e , and color.
therefore,
is not
the plastic
inspired
the
from a metaphysical
experience
The creation
in my work,
re pr oduction of observed
i nt er pr eta tio n of a spiritual
by n a t u r e .-
I define
to ra tionally or intuitively
intellectual
response
nature.
spiritual
The
the
experience
but
as the ability
the emotional
to the relationships
is meant
facts,
experience
spiritual
synthesize
to be confused with religious
The visual
to synthesize
and
one perceives
in an artistic
sense,
in
not
affiliation.
is not based on feelings
or
\
per ce p t io n alone.
experience
emo ti onally
faculty
I ma in tai n a consciousness
as I work,
which I try to develop
through the expression of the medium.
into plastic
form.
co mb ina ti on of my subconscious
world
and enlarge
My
of empathy enables me to transform my visual
experience
well
of the
Art
for me is the
intuitive
I can consciously manipulate
abilities
the medium.
in itself w hic h reflects my senses
and how
It is also
and my emotions.
a
2
The work goes
through many phases
of development.
E l im i na ti o n and ' sim pl ifi ca tio n are determined
think is essential , namely
color are very important
reveal
shape
identify more
specifically
I respond p sy ch o log ic al ly
and create
those
to my Black
The purpose
is found
shapes
of this work was
During this
the
same.
recurring
language
Series
title
I
and colors
to which
in order
to focus
in the earlier work which
and White Period
(slides
to identify
attached).
and develop
though my concerns
I also have
discovered
to the
abstract
still
that those
life-c ar ryi ng vo cabulary
in my work.
a
from the general
process my work became more
shapes with a suggestive
most
they enable me to
and emotionally
than it had been in the past,
remained
and
say any other way.
vo ca bu lar y w hic h would help me move
specific.
I
a new body of work.
An example of this
belongs
and color. . Shape
to me because
things w h i ch I could not
by what
are the
This has provided me with a new
for the pr ep ara ti on of a new body of work.
I_ and IJE are
of the
the result of this exploration,
series was
inspired
Birth
and the
by the life-carrying
shapes.
In my desire
became more
to experiment with color my palette
aggressive,
color w hic h was more
use
of color more
as opposed
subtle.
Birth
than Birth Series
to my earlier use
Series
II,
of
I reflects
but I consider
this
it
3
only another.- mariner of expression.
returned
to more
subtle
My palette has
colors wh ic h
I find more
to achieving my purpose.
However,
me
to manipulate
remains
in the ability
point of achieving
spiritual
the
since
conducive
real challenge
the elements
for
to the
synthesis.
E X PRE SS ION PROCESS.
In Birth Series _! and II I invite
participate
in the c on tem pl ati on of some
my ste ry of birth.
Birth
Series
terms.
It is important
deals with the theme
The theme
exp er i m en ta t io n
traditi on all y
aspects
that
the
in mind by integrating new shapes with
symbolic
ones in an arrangement which is very
ambiguously playful,
and
still
and or ch estrated with enough interest,
the work
of what my
regardless
each piece were
the
also with
to engage in a personal
specific
I feel,
discourse with
intentions
behind
at the time of conception.
Some of the work,
for instance,
vision of the human figure
life,
of
of birth in universal
to allow the viewer
landscape
to
to bear in mind
of birth is developed
often highly personal,
ma ni p ula te d
the viewer
as a me taphor
deals with my personal
in the landscape,
and the
for the human f i g u r e , carrier of
as in Birth Series N o s . 3_, 4^
20,
and
11.
It deals
also with, the ob ser vat io n of metamo rp hos es which occur
during
the life forming process
in nature,
and which reveal
4
themselves
in terms
the images
are linked
as in Birth
Series
of changing
to natural
Nos.
9_ and
10.
evolve
in vivid
(mimesis)
thoughts,
what
objective
to me.
thoughts
I believe
since
Shapes
One form inspires
("figure",
and fertility
are like musical,
a whole
I am, what
trend of
I know,
barriers,
a common
images
symbolism
of life-carrying
" w a t e r " , " e g g " , "snake"),
these
In spite
as good
but also in
l u c k , prosperity,
symbols.
of focusing
on a theme,
I
that I had been fascinated with shapes
since
a very early age.
from a personal ne cessity
ps ych olo gi cal
and
in all its
the beginning of the world.
During the process
dis covered
and
of birth?
and cultural
of perce ivi ng
in nature
As in blues
I am concerned with rendition
among mankind not only in terms
symbols,
lyrics
subject of birth has fascinated mankind
of geog rap hi cal
terms
the way blues
in.
man if e st at i on s
exists
as to
expression evolves with
correlatives.
based on what
Why the subject
The
dynamics
and experimentation.
poetic verses
"water")
and 1 2 as well
My creative
and co mpositio nal
of jazz,
("seed",
Some of
(" l o z e n g e " , " c i r c l e s " ) , as in Birth
images
later forms
and colors.
things
_7> J_L> 12»
v is ua l- l in gu i st i c forms
Series Nos.
shapes
to give
and em otional
observed
The paintings were
form to a long
born
standing
co mmunion with nature.
5
CO NCLUSION
My deep awareness
op po sit io n to the
of the gift
forces
of life - w hi ch I see in
of d e st ru ct io n in the world
been the s t r o n g 'mo tiv a t in g
force
behind
- has
the development
of
this body of work.
Birth Series
the scale
is my homage
to the miracle
of the work only a humble
monument
of birth,
to it.
and
6
LIST OF SLIDES
BLACK AND WHITE
1. "E volution 11
"30"x42" P a s t e l , 1986
2.
"Study of Form"
I6 " X 1 2" Oil on M a s o n i t e , 1986
3.
"Study of Form"
I 6 " x I 2" Oil on Masonite,
19 8 6
4,. "Study of Form"
I6 " X 1 2" Oil on Masonite,
1986
5.
6.
7.
8.
"Study of Form"
16 " X I 2" Oil on Masonite,
1986
"Study of Form"
16 " x l 2" Oil on Masonite,
19 8 6
"Study of Form"
I 6 " x I 2" Oil on Masonite,
1986
"Study of Form"
I 6 " x I 2" Oil on Masonite,
1986
,-Xi/;.;'''Z'
PERIOD
7
LIST OF SLIDES
BIRTH
1.
SERIES
Birth Series I "Embrace"
30"x42" Pastel on P a p e r , 1986
t.
2.
Birth Series II
" The Birth of Venus"
7'x 5 ' Oil on Canvas , 1988
3.
Birth Series II "Achieving
6'x 5 ' Oil on Canvas , 1987
4.
Birth Series I "With Love"
6'x 4 ' Oil on Canvas , 19 8 7
5.
Birth Series I "Self Portrait"
30"x4 2" Oil on Canvas , 1986
6.
Spiritual
Birth Series I "Self Portrait It
7 'x5 ' Oil on Canvas , 1987
7.
Birth Series I "From Water"
6 'x4 ' Oil on C a n v a s , 1987
8.
Birth Series I "Language"
6 'x4 ' Oil on Canvas , 1986
9.
Birth Series I "Birth"
6 'x4 ' Oil on C a n v a s , 1987
10.
Birth Series I "Meditation"
6 'x 4 ' Oil on Canvas , 1987
11.
Birth Series II "From a Seed No. I
7'x5' Oil on Canvas , 1988
12.
Birth Series II "Detail from No. I
7 ’x5 ' Oil on Canvas , 1988
13.
Birth Series II "From a Seed No. 2
7 *x5 ’ Oil on Canvas , 1988
14.
Birth Series II "Ouroboros"
7 'x5 ' Oil on Canvas , 1988
Synthesis"
8
15.
Birth Series 11 "From a Seed No. 3
7 'x5 ' Oil on C a n v a s , 1988
16.
Birth Series II "Detail from No. 3
7 'x5 ’ Oil on Canvas , 1 98 8
17.
Birth Series II " From a Seed N o . 4
7 'x5 ' Oil on Canvas , 1988
18.
Birth Series II "From a Seed No. 5
7 'x5 * Oil on Canvas , 1 9 88
19.
Birth Series I " S u n b a t h e r"
6 ’x 4 ' Oil on Canvas , 19 87
20.
Birth Series ,11 " Mo ther-Nature"
7 'x 5' Oil on Canvas, 1988
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