He captures photographs as though he is painting a canvas.
‘l’âme bleue,’ an evocative series by the artist Saemulanz from Uetendorf, stands as a testament to his profound commitment to art history. Born in the picturesque town, Saemulanz has cultivated a rich artistic career, embedding his work with a deep reverence for the masters who preceded him. An artist with a relentless curiosity, his journey is characterized by a continuous exploration of various artistic epochs and styles. Each photograph he shoots is like a brushstroke on canvas is a homage to the iconic figures who have shaped the path of art throughout history.
Throughout the years, Saemulanz has traversed a myriad of artistic landscapes, drawing inspiration from the enigmatic depths of Renaissance art to the bold innovations of modern art. His dedication to understanding and interpreting these diverse artistic languages has enabled him to create works that are not only visually compelling but also intellectually enriching. By paying tribute to different styles, Saemulanz allows viewers to traverse the corridors of art history, experiencing the seamless fusion of the old with the new.
The essence of ‘l’âme bleue,’ or ‘the blue soul,’ lies in Saemulanz’s recent fascination with the color blue. This series reflects a profound consideration of blue’s historical and symbolic significance across cultures and artistic movements. Blue, as Saemulanz perceives it, transcends mere pigment; it embodies a spectrum of emotions, ranging from tranquility to melancholy. Through this exploration, he captures the nuanced dialogue between color and emotion, inviting viewers to engage with the artworks on a deeper, more intuitive level.
In creating ‘l’âme bleue,’ Saemulanz not only honors the legacy of art history but also contributes his unique voice to the ongoing conversation. This series sets the stage for a deeper understanding of how color can evoke and communicate the profound subtleties of the human experience. As we delve into his work, we embark on a journey that bridges the historical with the contemporary, guided by the unifying thread of the color blue.
The theme of blue was inspired by a dream where saemulanz envisioned all his paintings in blue, leading him to dedicate his work to this hue, the fundamental color of photography. The dream, coupled with the experience of “l’heure bleue” (the blue hour) between night and dawn, cemented his focus on blue. From “l’heure bleue” emerged “l’âme bleue” and other series exploring the blue motif. What started as a dream now lives on in numerous anecdotes. “The color of empty space is blue,” Yves Klein declared as he embarked on his monochrome blue works. Remarkably, saemulanz’s exhibition at Espace vide, “the blue space,” in Thun in 2023, coincides with the setup date of June 6th, the anniversary of Yves Klein’s passing (1928-62). Saemulanz’s fine art prints evoke ethereal blue realms.
The Significance of the Color Blue in Art
The color blue has held a profound significance across various cultures and eras in art history, serving not merely as a visual element but as a symbol imbued with deep meaning. In ancient Egyptian culture, blue was more than just a hue; it represented the heavens and the divine, often associated with the gods and the afterlife. The ancient Egyptians created a synthetic pigment known as Egyptian blue, used extensively in tomb paintings and artifacts to invoke protection and spirituality. This celestial color was emblematic of the sky and the Nile, reflecting eternal existence and divine protection.
During the Renaissance, the usage of blue underwent a remarkable evolution, symbolizing wealth, prestige, and sanctity. Cobalt and ultramarine blue, derived from the semi-precious stone lapis lazuli, were among the most expensive pigments available. These lavish blues were often reserved for the most important features in artworks, particularly in religious contexts. The Virgin Mary is frequently depicted adorned in magnificent azure robes, underscoring her spiritual importance and the patron’s affluence who commissioned the piece. Such artistic choices not only showcased the artist’s skill but also conveyed messages of piety and prosperity.
The historical and cultural connotations of blue extend beyond these instances, influencing various artistic movements and figures. In more modern contexts, blue continues to serve as a powerful symbol. For example, Pablo Picasso’s Blue Period reflected themes of melancholy and introspection, while Yves Klein’s IKB (International Klein Blue) sought to transcend traditional uses of color, exploring new dimensions of human perception and emotion.
In his series ‘l’âme bleue,’ Saemulanz adeptly draws upon these rich historical connotations of blue to create artworks that resonate with cultural depth and emotional complexity. By leveraging the layers of meaning attached to this color, his tribute to art history not only honors the past but also reinterprets its significance for contemporary audiences, thus continuing the enduring legacy of blue in the realm of art.
