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Ponce Art Studio in Puerto Rico
Korber's Atelier Ponce, PR
Ponce's studio has been a place of constant reflection, bringing with it the uncomfortable luxury of deep introspection. It has been a time of exploration into fields of philosophy, science, and art that have expanded and deepened my awareness and understanding. Always wary of logical fallacies and cognitive biases, I have endeavored to gain insights into the totality of the human condition from a variety of vantage points, from diverse schools of thought, varying in their approaches and their conclusions.
The common weaknesses and strengths of our bodies, those caused by physiology and those caused by psychology, have always been of particular interest to me in my study of anatomy. My ongoing fascination with the dismantling of the human body mechanics brought about a new deeper dimension to my lines. Today, more than ever before, my figures express the richness of their story with all the ephemeral detail of their anatomical distortions.
I set out on a search of the why behind human behavior. This intellectual exploration began with epistemology and logic and led me through other areas of philosophy, spirituality, culture, history, all the way to psychology and neuroendocrinology. In this never-ending quest, I continue to discover and explore the works of many great teachers such as Lao-Tzu, Thich Nhat Hanh, Slavoj Žižek, David Livingstone Smith, and Robert Sapolsky, to name but a few.
It is here that I...
Walked on the many beaches admiring the sunrises and sunsets.
Watched a lunar and solar eclipse.
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Stood on the top of the cliff in tall grasses swayed by the wind as their gentle sound overpowered the breaking waves down below.
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Enjoyed many shots of espresso expertly prepared by my favorite barista and a dear friend.
Played dominoes with friends in the mountains.
Had ice cream in Ponce Pueblo.
Ate the best pasteles ever.
Had many café con leche.
Enjoyed empanadillas de chapÃn (fish empanadas) on the oceanside boardwalk.
Stayed in an off-grid treehouse in the midst of the tropical forest.
Was serenaded by the sounds of coquis.
Ate a selection of tropical fruits and vegetables from local farms.
Invited my temple bell to sound in daily reflection.
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Was treated to some of the best coffee by a dear friend, a certain Chicago-based author.
Witnessed unity and kindness arise in the face of natural disasters.
My time in Ponce also included a brief period of seclusion. Every few years, I deliberately take a short time off to get back to the basics. I usually devote this time to the dissection of my line and color. Then I attend to them individually, to finally reunite them again and again.
While paintings were mostly commissioned, and I devoted most of my time to drawings. My ink of paper works grew in scale from 18x24 inches to 40 inches by 6 to 9 feet. I turned all the walls of my studio into a giant sketchbook to get up close with complete freedom of movement. The Oversized Drawings series is the result of this re-examined approach to my line.
Memories & works from artist's studio in Ponce, Puerto Rico
About Ponce
Ponce is the largest city on the southern coast of Puerto Rico. It was founded in 1692 and is home to many historical landmarks. Under Spanish rule during the 19th century, it flourished into the most economically and culturally thriving center of the island. The 19th century was also a time of intense architectural development, including the emergence of a unique style later known as Ponce Creole, which is a blend of Art Nouveau and neoclassical styles. This rich history contributes to the unique character of Ponce today.
