Vojislav Radovanovic’s Bird Circuit Sings – by Genie Davis
Vojislav Radovanovic’s stunning solo exhibition Bird Circuit soars through a poetic exploration of identity, self-expression, and joy. Using an exciting, primarily brilliant palette and perfectly detailed images of wonderous birds as its starting point, the exhibition is inspired by the historical bird circuit, a collection of bars with names inspired by birds, which welcomed guests to queer-friendly spaces in cities such as New York and Los Angeles when such were considered to be illegal.
Radovanovic’s work is a lesson in painterly perfection and magical realism. As curated by Jason Jenn, the vibrant images fly through a variety of remarkable, mystical paintings which in many cases landing in immersive installation space.
Above, “Bejeweled Finch” is rich in layers, materials, and the intricate lovliness that is the make-up of each piece in this exhibition. Here, Radovanovic uses mixed media on light reflector, glass and wood bead, and thread to create a delicate and dreamy image.
Each of the artist’s works here are both profoundly lovely and filled with dynamic energy. The winged cultural mascots he depicts herald the strength of cultural resistance to oppression, the vibrancy of which has never been more pertinent and vital than today. These avian figures pull viewers into stories that were born in a network of gay bars, sanctuaries for connection. In these images, birds indicating these places of sanctuary lead one into a world of metaphor and music as potent as birdsong. There are anthropomorphic figures, playful scenes, loving couples, and alchemic mystery — the latter firmly embued in each work.
Along with the birds themselves, there are elements of magic. Mysteriously dark, seemingly shape shifting birds clad in top hats appear in “Magician; a silver bird astride an artist’s brush with a half moon perched between his wings, in “Omen.”
Some of the paintings are magical in approach if not subject. These are layered in theapplication of paint and the precision of Radovanovic’s brush strokes, or involve the quilts of smaller previous paintings conjoined into larger work, as in “Urge to Sing,” below.
And along with his paintings, Radovanovic offers sculptural images, including fantastical blue wooden swans sailing across a shiny silver lake in one gallery, and video projected on soft fabric behind shimmery curtains in another.
The fabric serving as the location of the video projection makes the images move and dance like ripples on a clear lake, each embodying a different reflection. In the same gallery are the artist’s assemblage, “Ladders,” and the lush collage of “Let Love Flourish (Cape),” an elaborately embroidered silver cape with a dimensional collage that once again speaks to the idea of magic, of talismans, or a conjurer’s protection from risk.
Other sculptural pieces also shine. “The Frog” is a whimsically vivid green friend, accompanied by a wildly blooming water lily, while “Small Birds” are layered, hinged sculptural visions in green and blue, enjoying a small water source surrounded by pink flowers.
Each of these transformative paintings and sculptures speak to the power of love, and the ways in which love always finds a way. They are also powerful rebukes to the hatred and ugliness of the world in the past, and even more certainly of the present. They are a reclamation and a redemption.
“Swans” form a beatific heart in one intensely moving piece, awash in moonlight, moody and romantic with its sliver of perfect moon and palette of watery blues.
“Ultraviolet” presents the ways in which the unique vision of birds allows them to see the world through vision that far exceeds human sight in their perception of colors and light, including ultraviolet light. A velvety blue flower features an eye, while two blue birds pluck intensely ruby-colored berries from a branch, and two red mushrooms pulse with sensual energy.
In a way, the artist’s perception is equally heightened. He sees not just the subjects he paints but presents their innermost souls, rich and rewarding, as multiply layered as the feathers on bird wings. He embraces the need for sanctuary, succor, sweetness, and celebration in every work, weaving the fantastical with the fabulous, the fierce with the importance of faith, magic, and hope.
There are many ideas nesting within Radovanovic’s work, but one of the most vital is the importance of joy and the ability to take flight above the darkest of times, claiming special places as our own, always seeking the radiance of love and freedom, and envisioning the promise of delight.
Bird Circuit closes Saturday, June 28 2-5 p.m. at the Ronald H. Silverman Gallery with a closing reception, catalog signing, and artist and curator walk-through. The exhibition will also be on view at https://www.laartdocuments.com/ if you’ve missed this beautiful show live.
- Genie Davis; photos provided by the artist and curator