Jean-Marie Gitard, also known in the art world as Mr. Strange, has steadily carved out a niche for himself as an artist who defies traditional boundaries. His work, which often blurs the line between surrealism and sculpture, invites viewers into a world where reality is fluid and meaning is elusive. One of his most compelling creations, “Floor Number Nine”, exemplifies this approach, showcasing his ability to merge various artistic forms into a cohesive, thought-provoking piece. This limited edition work not only highlights Gitard’s mastery of visual art but also serves as a commentary on the very nature of perception and reality.
A New Dimension of Art
To understand “Floor Number Nine”, one must first appreciate the broader context of Jean-Marie Gitard’s artistic journey. Known for his unique approach to surrealism, Gitard has consistently sought to expand the possibilities of what art can be. Traditional surrealism, born out of the early 20th-century avant-garde movement, focuses on the irrational and the dreamlike, often presenting familiar objects in unfamiliar ways to challenge our understanding of reality. Gitard, however, goes a step further by incorporating elements of sculpture into his surrealist works, creating pieces that are not only visually striking but also conceptually layered.
“Floor Number Nine” is a prime example of this synthesis. Although it is a digital work, the piece carries a sculptural quality that makes it feel almost tangible. The dimensions—19.7 x 19.7 x 0.1 inches—give it a presence that belies its flat, printed format. This effect is achieved through Gitard’s meticulous attention to detail and his ability to create depth within the composition. The viewer is drawn into a space that feels both real and unreal, a hallmark of Gitard’s style.
The title, “Floor Number Nine”, hints at a space that exists outside the normal boundaries of experience. Floors are usually associated with physical structures—buildings, homes, offices—but the notion of a ninth floor carries with it an air of the supernatural or the unknown. In many cultures, the number nine is symbolic, often representing completion or the attainment of a higher level of consciousness. By choosing this title, Gitard suggests that the work is not merely a depiction of a physical space but rather an exploration of a conceptual one. The viewer is invited to step into this space and confront the ambiguities it presents.
The Medium and the Message: Fabriano Paper and Digital Art
A critical aspect of “Floor Number Nine” is its medium. The work is printed on Fabriano 240g fine art paper, a choice that speaks volumes about Gitard’s commitment to quality and tradition. Fabriano, a historic brand known for its fine art papers, is often associated with the old masters of the Renaissance. By using this paper, Gitard bridges the gap between the digital and the traditional, grounding his modern creation in a material that carries with it centuries of artistic heritage.
The use of digital art as a medium is particularly significant in the context of surrealism. While traditional surrealists like Salvador Dalí and René Magritte relied on oil paints and canvas to create their dreamscapes, Gitard harnesses the power of digital tools to push the boundaries of what surrealism can achieve. The digital format allows for a level of precision and control that is difficult to attain with traditional methods. It also enables Gitard to experiment with textures, layers, and effects that give “Floor Number Nine” its distinctive, almost three-dimensional quality.
However, the choice of digital art also raises questions about the nature of authenticity and originality in contemporary art. In an age where digital images can be reproduced infinitely, the decision to limit “Floor Number Nine” to just 30 proofs is a deliberate one. By imposing this limitation, Gitard enhances the exclusivity of the work, imbuing each print with a sense of value that goes beyond its visual appeal. The scarcity of the piece mirrors the elusive nature of the surreal images it portrays, further deepening the conceptual layers of the work.
One of the most fascinating aspects of Gitard’s work is its open-endedness. His pieces often feature a blend of abstract and figurative elements, leaving much to the interpretation of the viewer. “Floor Number Nine” is no exception. While the work is visually captivating, it is also enigmatic, filled with symbols and motifs that seem to resist easy explanation.
The central image of “Floor Number Nine” is difficult to pin down, but this ambiguity is precisely what gives the work its power. The piece seems to depict a space that is both architectural and organic, with elements that could be interpreted as staircases, windows, or even roots and tendrils. The viewer is left to navigate this ambiguous landscape, piecing together a narrative that may never fully resolve itself. This sense of mystery is a key characteristic of Gitard’s work, inviting the viewer to engage in a dialogue with the piece rather than simply consuming it.
The surrealist tradition is rich with symbolism, and Gitard’s work continues this legacy. In “Floor Number Nine”, the interplay between light and shadow, the juxtaposition of geometric forms with organic shapes, and the subtle use of color all contribute to an atmosphere of tension and unease. These elements suggest a world that is familiar yet alien, a place where the laws of physics and logic do not apply. The piece challenges the viewer to question their perceptions and to consider the possibility that reality is not as stable as it seems.
The Role of Mystery in Art: Engaging the Viewer
Gitard’s ability to imbue his work with a sense of mystery is one of his greatest strengths as an artist. In “Floor Number Nine”, this mystery is not just a superficial layer but is woven into the very fabric of the piece. The work does not reveal itself easily; instead, it requires the viewer to spend time with it, to explore its depths, and to draw their own conclusions. This active engagement is what sets Gitard’s work apart from more conventional art forms. It is not content to be passively observed; it demands interaction.
The element of mystery also ties into the broader themes of surrealism. The surrealists were deeply interested in the unconscious mind, and their work often sought to bypass rational thought in favor of exploring deeper, more primal layers of experience. In “Floor Number Nine”, this exploration is evident in the way the piece defies easy categorization. It is a space that feels both real and unreal, a liminal zone where the ordinary rules do not apply. By inviting the viewer into this space, Gitard encourages them to confront the unknown and to embrace the uncertainty that lies at the heart of the human experience.
Impression
Jean-Marie Gitard’s work can be seen as a continuation of the surrealist tradition, but it also represents a significant evolution of that tradition. While the early surrealists were primarily concerned with disrupting the conventions of their time, Gitard uses surrealism to explore the complexities of the modern world. In *Floor Number Nine*, we see a reflection of contemporary anxieties about technology, reality, and the nature of existence. The digital medium itself becomes a metaphor for the shifting, unstable nature of the world we live in, where boundaries between the real and the virtual are increasingly blurred.
Moreover, Gitard’s work speaks to the enduring relevance of surrealism as an artistic movement. While many other avant-garde movements have come and gone, surrealism continues to resonate because it taps into something fundamental about the human experience. The themes of dreams, the unconscious, and the irrational are as relevant today as they were in the 1920s. Gitard’s ability to bring these themes into a contemporary context, while also pushing the boundaries of the medium, ensures that surrealism remains a vital and dynamic force in the art world.
”Floor Number Nine” is more than just a piece of art; it is a statement about the possibilities of artistic expression. Through his use of digital tools, traditional materials, and surreal imagery, Jean-Marie Gitard has created a work that is both visually stunning and intellectually stimulating. The piece challenges the viewer to think critically about the nature of reality, the role of art in society, and the ways in which we perceive the world around us.
In a broader sense, “Floor Number Nine” exemplifies the continuing evolution of surrealism as an artistic movement. Gitard’s ability to fuse different mediums and styles into a cohesive whole speaks to his skill as an artist and his willingness to push the boundaries of what art can achieve. As a limited edition piece, “Floor Number Nine” is not just a collector’s item; it is a reflection of the ongoing dialogue between tradition and innovation in the art world.
Ultimately, “Floor Number Nine” invites us to explore the unknown, to embrace the mystery, and to question the boundaries of our own perceptions. It is a work that stays with you, challenging and inspiring in equal measure. In this way, Jean-Marie Gitard has succeeded in creating a piece that is not only a testament to his artistic vision but also a significant contribution to the ongoing story of surrealism in contemporary art.
