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LUCID DREAMS group show is starring Jiri Hauschka, Madison Tyrell, Luis Olasso, Kyte Tatt and Emanuele Tozzoli. It will be running from September 12th- October 15th, at Arma Gallery, on Calle de Valverde 30 Entreplanta derecha, Madrid.
Sometimes exploring through the subconscious opens doors that should never be opened, and at other times it presents us with a higher understanding of the mechanics of ourselves and the universe. Is creation, above all things, a powerful channel of communication, or is it a witness to what happens inside us?
The connection with the ethereal world emerges as a crucial element in the creative experience of these contemporary artists featured in the group show “Lucid Dreams” at Arma Gallery in Madrid. This article explores how their relationship with the ethereal realm, through dreams and intuition, guides their creative work. Their reflections highlight the importance of the intuitive and dreamlike as sources of inspiration, inviting us to actively participate in a deeper experience of personal expression.
Madison Tyrell (Vancouver, 1994) describes a constant and vibrant relationship with the intangible, feeling that it “constantly seeps through the cracks of the ethereal nature of our existence.” Luis Olaso (Bilbao, 1986), in turn, perceives the ethereal as the intangible and irrational, seeking to “place himself in a moment or state of disconnection from the rational plane and connect with the entire sensory or intangible world” during the act of painting. Emanuele Tozzoli (Italy, 1989) offers a perspective rooted in his childhood, noting “those fine threads that connect events, decisions, and encounters in an incredible universal dance perfectly orchestrated in every small synchronicity.”
In a more cautious view, Jiri Hauschka (Czech Republic, 1965) speaks of a “very close” world but warns us that it “has different limits than those we are accustomed to, and everything can be easily exploited… it is not always possible to precisely say that what we perceive with our senses is the only thing that exists around us.“
“The more you pay attention to what shines and speaks to your soul, the brighter that world becomes.”
– Madison Tyrell
This resonates with Tozzoli’s mystical fascination, who has “delved into this topic by studying many aspects of ancient philosophy, esotericism, and alchemical symbolism.” Kyte Tatt (USA, 1983) views the ethereal world as “not external but a deep internal portal,” offering a more introspective and dual perspective, describing his exploration of the ethereal as an inner journey encompassing both the sublime and the disturbing: “Through my exploration of the ethereal, I have encountered both Niagara Falls of beauty and the depths of hell and the horrors that dwell somewhere inside me.“
In the creative process, all these artists emphasize intuition as a starting point where introspective processes intertwine. In Hauschka’s words, “Dreams and intuition are part of our human life… they cannot be separated.” The Czech artist shares a vivid dream that has influenced his work: “I am standing in the middle of a forest, and there is a very deep forest with very large trees around. I must say it is not a hostile forest, but quite the opposite. There is peace in it and at the same time, there is not.“
Hauschka’s description evokes a dreamlike world full of layers of meaning: “There are many animal noises. The wind can be heard. You can also hear the stories of people who passed through the forest long ago or many years ago or lived around it.” This dream is not only a visual experience but also an auditory and historical one, suggesting a deep connection with the past and nature. Hauschka adds: “This forest had much to offer, including hidden and forgotten treasures…“
Intriguingly, Hauschka concludes his account by inviting interpretation: “Judge for yourself how this dream reflected in my paintings.” This open invitation suggests that the influence of dreams on his art is not literal or direct but manifests in ways that can be perceived and interpreted differently by each viewer.
From Tatt’s “daydreams” and Tyrell’s dream revelations to Olaso’s rational liberation search, Tozzoli’s subconscious dialogue, and Hauschka’s meaningful dream forest, each perspective offers a unique view of how these ethereal elements materialize in artistic creation.
Given the plausible reality that the earthly seems more in harmony with the world, they all argue against this supposed status quo. Emanuele Tozzoli highlights that despite the phase of “hyper-rationality and excessive control,” spiritual connection has guided humanity toward a “perfectly natural balance of existence and knowledge.” Olaso comments that “the hyperpresence of the earthly, the quantifiable, or the rational is a major part of the problems in our society,” and notes that the spiritual, representing “everything that escapes the rational,” is a crucial part of our being that is often underestimated.
Hauschka asserts that spirit and the earthly are interconnected, maintaining that “spirit—the idea is somewhere at the beginning and therefore can shape society more.” Tatt adds the importance of balance, stating, “I believe it is an important and valuable way to process and navigate one’s own existence and personal experience. In this way, communicating these things helps to facilitate a shared narrative that unites a society or group,” aligning with Tyrell who proposes that “what emerges from the spirit has always been more satisfying,” further emphasizing that passion and spirit in cultural creation have the power to “build and inspire rather than numb and enslave.“
Through innovative exhibitions and collaborations with artists, the space not only presents the most audacious proposals of current art, but also fosters an intercultural dialogue that enriches the understanding and appreciation of art in a global context.
Arma Gallery in its faithful commitment to contemporary languages, inaugurates in its season opening, the group exhibition “Lucid Dreams” curated by Victoria Rivers, a window to the most avant-garde trends where it celebrates international creative diversity.
LUCID DREAMS
As real and vivid as life itself, sometimes the uncertain realm of dreams can be. At times, it is a world so intense and tangible that it leaves an indelible mark. In the realm of lucid dreams, where we are conscious, we wander at will through dimensions, among signs and oracles that manifest as prophecies.
In the eternal quest for inspiration, creators turn to the dream world, knowing it offers the chance to materialize concepts that might otherwise remain inarticulate. As Gustave Moreau noted in the 19th century, “The artist’s task is to create concepts that do not exist in the tangible world, forging unprecedented symbols and imbuing them with unheard-of meanings.”Poets, musicians, and artists have sought and continue to seek the coveted laurel crowns through this exploration of dreams that “opens doors to new dimensions of artistic expression, thereby expanding the boundaries of imagination and interpretation” (2). A notable example of this connection is Un Chien Andalou (3), 1929, which emerged from the union of two dreams of its creators, Buñuel and Dalí, and illustrates how dreams can be decoded through dreamlike images, challenging established conventions. Freud (4) interpreted dreams as a release of the repressed, while Jung (5) saw lucid dreams as a gateway for artists to connect with the collective unconscious, facilitating the emergence of archetypes and symbols in the conscious mind.
“Lucid Dreams” invites us to explore the territory of the “unknown,” a limbo between the earthly and the ethereal, where the uncertain takes on renewed significance in the contemporary artistic process. In this exhibition, we witness the serendipity of the unexpected, as international artists develop their works from the truth of their practice, using the psyche and impulses as their starting point.
We observe how these avant-garde creators approach their dreams firsthand, seeking to materialize the immaterial by taking control of the subconscious and crafting their own narratives. In this dreamlike state of creation, the dreamscapes offer a reservoir of images and concepts that, though they escape everyday logic, resonate within our world. The forms, strokes, and nebulas emerging from this expanded consciousness translate abstract visions into tangible manifestations, creating a work that serves as a bridge between different dimensions, revealing the richness of subjectivity and the symbolic codes that reflect and transcend human experience.
Sleeping artists who rewrite the world through these dreams… thus, artistic creation becomes a manifestation of suprasensible freedom, straddling the material and the subtle, opening new avenues of understanding. The visions make sense before they dissipate, before we open our eyes.
“Lucid Dreams” seeks to transform this space into a melting pot of experimentation and dialogue, capturing the dynamism and constant evolution of contemporary art through new techniques and perspectives found in the most international talent. In this context of questions and discoveries, this series of works fosters a deep interaction between the artists’ approaches, promoting an enriching exchange of ideas that expands our understanding of art in its most innovative and transformative forms.
In essence, it highlights the inherent ability of every human being to be a co-creator of their own life, thereby manifesting a profound connection between individual creativity and the spirit of our time.