Imagine Museum, Florida’s premier Glass Art Museum, has just debuted its latest exhibition, and it does not disappoint. Nestled in the bustling heart of Downtown St. Petersburg, Imagine Museum’s ‘Imagine Deeper: Into and Beyond Your Dreams,’ welcomes the work of renowned artist and Salvador Dali protege, Louis Markoya.
If you have ever set foot in the museum’s iconic blue building, then you’re familiar with its tradition of delivering unparalleled museum experiences. ‘Imagine Deeper’ is no exception. With this exhibition spanning 3 galleries on the museum’s ground floor, the works on view are nothing short of mind-blowing. Featuring over 3 dozen pieces of 3D surrealist perfection, “Imagine Deeper” is the Gulf Coast’s newest must-see. Here’s why:
Dali’s Dream Lives On
Louis Markoya worked for many years under the guidance of Spanish Surrealist Salvador Dali. Markoya recalls, “In my time working with Dali, it was always a dream of his to create fully realized 3D images on a 2D plane without needing any visual aids… and while he was never able to fulfill that dream in his lifetime, I have picked up the torch and brought that concept to life in my own work… I can promise you, you’ve never seen anything like this. It’s art, it’s science… It’s magic… and I’m humbled to be the catalyst for Dali’s dream to live on.”
Innovative Fusion of Art and Technology
Markoya didn’t start out as an artist. He began as an engineer and mathematician who, by pure chance, stumbled upon the art of Salvador Dali. Markoya recognized the potential of art by way of Dali and, through working with the master, developed his own way of melding technology with classical art sensibilities. Markoya’s early realization that fractals’ mathematical patterns could be transformed into art laid the foundation for his distinctive style. Drawing on this background, Markoya’s studio practice begins digitally, working on the computer to visualize his ideas, which he then transfers to canvas where he often works in oil. In Imagine Deeper, Markoya takes his practice one step further in creating 3D Holographic Lenticular paintings from his oil paintings.
Captivating Optical Illusions
Markoya’s lenticular paintings ingeniously utilize a special printing technique that creates mesmerizing optical illusions. Through the layering of multiple images and a lenticular lens, viewers experience dynamic shifts in perspective. These layers reveal hidden depths within each artwork. These compelling works blur the lines of reality and perception, inviting audiences to explore the interplay of light and motion in a truly immersive artistic experience.
Imagine Deeper is on view through July 2024, and works are available for purchase HERE.
Plan your visit to Imagine Museum today and immerse yourself in the surreal world of Louis Markoya’s imagination.
