By Kaelie Macaulay
Staff Writer
The Manhattan Beach Art Center gathers the work of the surrealist painter, Cynda Valle and art director, William Sandell to present its newest exhibit, “Very Cinematic Narrative.” Featuring saturated colors and rural styles, this exhibit juxtaposes two very different medias.
Linking two contrasting art mediums, “Very Cinematic Narrative” features a wide range of colors, tones and aesthetics that are appealing for every age group. Valle and Sandell successfully come together to showcase a multidimensional art exhibit.
Valle is an art instructor who primarily works with vivid oil paints. Valle portrays life through diversified points of view while representing different cultures, locations and periods of time. With hints of surrealism, Valle captures moments of traditional, domestic life and transfers them onto a canvas with vibrant colors.
Sandell works as an art director for Hollywood films such as “Total Recall” and “Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World,” for which he received an Oscar nomination. However, Sandell still finds time for his kinetic, three-dimensional sculptures.
Photos: Cynda Valle, a surrealist, presents a collection of conceptual, deeply hued, oil paintings at the Manhattan Beach Art Center. Representing glimpses into domestic life, Valle offered an array of points of view.
Perhaps one of the most striking elements of Valle’s paintings is the dynamic color used to formulate a surrealist environment. The pigments add highlights to the overall piece and help portray the message of the painting. With high energy shades, the masterpieces demand attention.
Valle’s concept of capturing ordinary fragments of domestic life expands the range of her audience. Characters in her paintings seem to reach out to the audience and provide an relatable aspect. Valle is able to connect with her viewers in personal way by offering an assortment of atmospheres and cultural representations in her paintings.
Sandell’s three-dimensional sculptures created by using mediums including scrap metals and wheels, elicit childlike wonder with their rustic carnival aesthetic. Powered by springs and motors, the archaic-styled mechanics awe with their impeccable construction and rotating figures.
Hollywood art director, William Sandell, works together with the Manhattan Beach Art Center to present the latest exhibit, “Very Cinematic Narrative.” The kinetic, energy powered sculptures impressed with their impressive subliminal messages. Video by Kaelie Macaulay.
The immense amount of artistry and intelligence needed to construct the kinetic art is evident in each of Sandell’s pieces. Sandell utilizes his knowledge of mechanics to fulfillment, with every wire placed flawlessly. He captivates viewers by utilizing oscillating, thought-provoking mechanics.
The Manhattan Beach Art Center maintains its standard of excellence with this juxtaposition of two very dissimilar mediums of art. With Valle’s canvases gracing the walls and Sandell’s machines taking center stage in the middle of the gallery, a perfect balance of still life and three-dimensional artworks is achieved.
As a whole, “Very Cinematic Narrative,” impresses with diversity that evokes curiosity and wonder. Valle’s surrealist outlook on life emphasizes the uniqueness of her craft, while Sandell’s work reaches into a mechanical realm of artistry. Both styles are very different, but combine in one cohesive exhibit.
Manhattan Beach Art Center’s “Very Cinematic Narrative,” is open from 6 a.m to 9 p.m until Mar. 12.
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