Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Where the Heart Is


The symbolic nature of houses has been discussed in many circles-- from decorating, to dream analysis, to literature, to architectural theory, each room in a house takes on psychological meaning. The basement is our subconscious, the attic, our imagination. Authors develop dwellings to suggest the symbiotic relationship with homeowner and home often. Think of Poe's use of floor boards in the Tell Tale Heart, or Bronte's attic in Jane Eyre, or Fitzgerald's imitative French architecture in The Great Gatsby. Literature is rich with houses which serve not only as plot devices, but as part of the character's identity. Certainly the details of any house reflect the nuances of the inhabitant.
But what if an idea or an emotion had a house? How would its character, its identity be reflected? In exploring this question, I painted a series of houses whose inhabitants were emotions, ideas, concepts. Two of these houses, The House of Hysteria (top), and The House of Neurosis (lower), are going to be in a group show at Ripe Art Gallery in Greenlawn, NY starting this weekend until October 28th. Please consider yourself invited to the opening this weekend, from 2:00 pm until 5:00 pm.

12 comments:

heidi said...

these are beautiful!!!!! LOVE 'em! I will try to make it to one of the shows.

modernemama said...

Very atmospheric, I'll definitely drop by and see them in real life

Nadine @ BDG said...

You guys rock!

aavivaa said...

Nadine, this is awesome! I'm working on a design for a house for 8 people in school now...would you mind if I referenced this posting in my presentation on Monday?

Nadine @ BDG said...

That's very sweet-- feel free to use it.

Nadine @ BDG said...

and good luck on your presentation!

Tom Judson said...

I concur. Really terrific stuff. I hope I get to see the whole series at some point. Kudos!

aavivaa said...

thanks!

modernemama said...

They were even more illuminating in real life. Can't wait to see the others in the series and neither can The Guy
Thanks for inviting us

Nadine @ BDG said...

modernemama-- how do I thank you for coming? It was great to see you and the guy-- looking forward to Dec 5.

cluny said...

Nadine, all that I have learned about you has been confirmed and expanded by seeing your art. I am lucky to count you as a friend. Congrats!!
See you at the next opening.

Nadine @ BDG said...

Darn you girl, you are gonna make me cry! Loved seeing you and yr fab-ness yesterday.