Saoirise reviews The Barret Darkfold Art Masia:

“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeing new sights, but in looking with new eyes.”   Marcel Proust

The Barret Darkfold Art Masia is an unassuming gallery located on one of the major roadways of second life, Route 14. Barret Darkfold is the artist whose work is on display at this Masia.

Entering the gallery from route 14, you must walk through four semi circles submerged in the ground forming a hallway.  It gives a “time passage” affect or “movement” feeling to walk through these.  It is a perceptual construct and gives the slightest hint of the artist’s love of abstract.” which looks a bit like a jiggly mound which upon closer observation I found to be an excellent movement pieces circling with color and absolutely no scripts.  [perhaps deleted? wonders this script baby]

This is one artist who is trying many things as I pass through the gallery I confess it is thrilling to look at someone trying many different things.  I can see some similarities of styling as well as artistic risk.

On the first floor he has works that appear to be from real life brought in world.  Since he names them using a sequencing of the term ‘abstract’ I will describe some of the pieces I most enjoyed.  ‘Abstract90’ is in yellow and light green colors blended and forms.  It appears to be a male and a female figure perhaps embraced.  I felt a shyness from our artist viewing this piece.  Perhaps much like the old Rorschach ink, the image is up to the viewer.  ‘Abstracts 73’ and ‘70’ are still life pottery abstracts.  The joy in these pieces is definitely in the color blending and smoothing.

‘Abstract Verd3’ is as the name suggests [verde = green] a point of green light on a black background.  This is a jump from the watercolors of the other images on this floor.  Almost feeling like a happy grin to me.  His works mature as I move towards the stairs.  He has teleport as well as stairs to negotiate the gallery.  The works near to the stairs are neatly matted on white backgrounds giving the abstracts order in one way.

The second floor is like viewing the first floor artist after a graduation.  More confidence and a style is emerging of the artist’s art in world.  I feel he has been adjusting to using in world mediums.  A quad of works displaying different shapes from a cork to a branch to a round form are on the outside of floor two.  There is a delightful area for tea on sofas on the balcony of this floor.  I enjoy sitting among the art to consider it and enjoy it.  Easily my favorite image on this floor contains the one that is on his Art Galleries of second life promotion picture.  It is a 3 dimensional wall image.  It is not offered for sale at the moment so perhaps it is not a piece of art for him but a summary of gallery images.

The top or third floor presents me with a most interesting puzzle of color and art.  Two circles, the outer circle with the objects all stationary yet revolving on their own individual axis.  The inner circle with similar oblong forms, smaller, seeming to move in a circle but it is a trick of motion as they move a bit to the right and then return to position.  The tops of this inner circle move slowly as if in a gentle wind.  The outer forms are various colors, the inside are all yellow with something in them.  I would love to know if it is a word or picture.

The middle has a rocking chair you cannot sit on, black with a red cushion.  There are mushrooms, an usual object rotating above it all in the center.  The more I view this piece, the less important it is to know “what” it means as the colors and motion are very soothing.  Here is something else I don’t think many will necessarily notice, the outer circle forms are phantom whereas the inner forms are not.  Hmmm?

The last piece I will mention here is one titled ‘Abstracte3 Digital’.  Though it is named as a digital piece, in it’s copper colors it looks completely as if it is rich brush strokes on a canvas.  It could also be ribbon candy.  Delicious regardless.

I circle around to the first floor again to look at the watercolors mounted on matted frames.  Truly a vision of beauty.  From the notecard in his gallery the artist writes this:

“I’m an abstract painter Catalan, only believe compositions of shapes and colors at one time and in one place, in reality, apparent or not

Every day is different from the previous.   Each week is different from the previous.   each month is different from the previous,   each year is different from the previous.

I think that’s why each piece is different”  Darkfold

After visiting this gallery and writing my review, I asked the artist, Darkfold, to stop by my office at Windlight Magazine and chat about his art.  He is both the artist and the curator of his gallery, hablas espanol muy bien.  Darkfold works with oils and water colors in real life and some of these he brings in world.  He also works with 3D art in world using color and movement to express his love of abstract art.

Visit this gallery and see how the art moves you.  Artfully yours, Seersha Heart.

Gallery Location:

Artist’s Real Life Art site : http://www.microgaleria.cat