Eric Hubbes
Eric HUBBES
The paintings of Eric Hubbes are a breathtaking anthology of visual storytelling, an intricate tapestry that weaves together elements of fantastic worlds, the ambiguous nature of our time, and the depths of the human subconscious. Hubbes's work is a kaleidoscope of imagination, where each piece serves as a porthole into a realm that defies the linear constraints of time and space.
In the intricate labyrinths of Hubbes's canvases, one can discern a unique blend of futuristic machinery and ancient symbolism, creating a bridge between the past and the potential future. The paintings could be likened to a form of visual time travel, where elements from different eras coexist and converse in a symphonic visual language. Here, the steampunk aesthetics marry with the metaphysical, gears and cogs lock into the ephemeral, showcasing a world where the machinations of human invention and the fluidity of dreams are intertwined.
Hubbes's artistry challenges the observer to reconsider the nature of reality itself. His paintings are not merely a representation of fantasy; they are an invitation to explore the myriad possibilities of existence. The ambiguity of our time is captured in the juxtaposition of chaos and order, the mechanical and the organic, the tangible and the mystical. This is particularly evident in his recurring motif of clocks and clockwork, which serve as a metaphor for the relentless march of time and the human endeavor to measure and contain it.
Within the fantastic worlds that Hubbes creates, there is an underlying narrative that speaks to the human experience. His works reflect the complexity of the psyche, where the conscious and subconscious dance in a delicate balance. The images are rich with symbols and figures that seem to emerge from the collective unconscious, invoking archetypes that resonate on a primal level. This aspect of his work encourages a deeper introspection, beckoning the viewer to look beyond the surface and delve into the realms of inner space.
The use of vibrant colors and meticulous details in Hubbes's paintings acts as a sensory overload, deliberately overwhelming to reflect the overstimulated state of contemporary society. Yet, within this apparent disarray, there is a harmony, a method to the madness that suggests a larger, perhaps even divine, order. The artist seems to suggest that in the grand scheme of things, every element has its place, and every moment is part of a grander design.
The sense of movement and dynamism in Hubbes's work is palpable. It's as if the scenes he portrays are caught in a single, frozen moment, yet one can feel the vibration of life that is about to burst forth. This dynamic quality is a testament to the idea of time traveling within the paintings—not through the physical relocation of the body, but through the mind's ability to transcend the present and wander through the corridors of time.
Hubbes's paintings are also a commentary on the current state of the world. The blend of technology and antiquity in his work mirrors the digital age's coexistence with historical narratives and traditions. In this light, his art becomes a dialogue about the preservation of the past in the relentless rush towards the future, a reminder of the cyclical nature of history and the importance of memory.
Eric Hubbes's paintings are a profound exploration of the human condition, a visual journey that transcends time and space. Each canvas is a complex narrative, a puzzle that invites the viewer to piece together the story it wants to tell. Through his art, Hubbes captures the essence of our time's ambiguity, the wonder of fantastic worlds, the enigma of the subconscious, and the allure of temporal voyages. His works are a testament to the power of imagination and its capacity to unlock the doors of perception, challenging us to see beyond what is and contemplate what could be. In a world that is increasingly looking for meaning, Hubbes's paintings offer a mirror, a map, and a maze, guiding us through the labyrinth of our own psyche and the myriad paths of possibility.
Eric Hubbes's paintings are a captivating nexus where the enigmatic landscapes of the human subconscious are intricately woven with the concept of time travel, both serving as conduits for a profound philosophical inquiry into the nature of human existence.
Time travel in Hubbes's work is not the conventional journey from one chronological point to another but a more metaphysical voyage. It’s an exploration of time as a subjective experience, an elastic concept that expands and contracts within the mind’s eye. His canvases act as a visual representation of time's fluidity, a space where past, present, and future merge in a non-linear fashion. The fantastical imagery evokes the time dilation that occurs within dreams, where moments can stretch into eternity and centuries can collapse into an instant. This distortion mirrors the elasticity of the subconscious mind, which operates beyond the rigid confines of temporal measurement.
Delving deeper into the subconscious, Hubbes's art touches upon the Jungian concept of the collective unconscious, the reservoir of the experiences and narratives of humanity. His paintings are like dreams made manifest, where symbols and archetypes surface from this collective well of memory and myth. This dream space is where time folds upon itself, where ancient archetypes resurface in modern contexts, suggesting the timeless nature of certain human experiences and emotions.
The philosophical undertones of Hubbes's paintings are profound. He seems to draw from the well of existentialism, questioning the role of the individual within the temporal tapestry. Are we merely cogs in the cosmic clockwork, or do we possess the agency to navigate the streams of time that flow within us? His work grapples with the Heideggerian concept of ‘being-towards-death,’ the idea that the awareness of mortality shapes our existence. The omnipresent clocks and temporal motifs underscore our race against time, the human urge to find meaning before the inevitable end.
Hubbes's art is steeped in the philosophy of perception. Borrowing from Kant's assertion that time is a necessary representation that underlies all intuitions, one could argue that Hubbes portrays time as an internal framework through which we perceive our reality. This perspective suggests that the chaos and order we observe are not just external conditions but reflections of our inner cognitive processes.
The concept of time travel in Hubbes's art also alludes to the possibility of changing perspectives, of seeing the world through different temporal lenses. This is an artistic exploration of Nietzsche's 'eternal recurrence,' the idea that all events in life could potentially repeat infinitely. In Hubbes's worlds, the viewer may encounter the same symbols in different forms, suggesting the cyclical nature of existence and the recurring patterns that define human life.
The artist's exploration of the subconscious is further amplified by his use of abstraction and surrealism. The fragmented and reassembled forms could be seen as a visual representation of Freud's theory of the mind, where our conscious awareness is only the tip of the iceberg floating above a vast, unknown subconscious. In this realm, time travel becomes a metaphor for diving into the depths of the psyche, unearthing hidden memories, and confronting the specters of our personal and collective histories.
Eric Hubbes's paintings are a philosophical odyssey into the depths of the human subconscious, intertwined with the mysteries of time travel. They challenge the viewer to transcend the present, to embark on a cerebral journey through the ages, and to confront the timeless questions that have haunted humanity since the dawn of consciousness. His work is a canvas for contemplation, a place where the philosophical merges with the visual, and where each brushstroke is a step deeper into the vast landscapes of the mind and the manifold dimensions of time.
Eric Hubbes's paintings are a captivating nexus where the enigmatic landscapes of the human subconscious are intricately woven with the concept of time travel, both serving as conduits for a profound philosophical inquiry into the nature of human existence.
Time travel in Hubbes's work is not the conventional journey from one chronological point to another but a more metaphysical voyage. It’s an exploration of time as a subjective experience, an elastic concept that expands and contracts within the mind’s eye. His canvases act as a visual representation of time's fluidity, a space where past, present, and future merge in a non-linear fashion. The fantastical imagery evokes the time dilation that occurs within dreams, where moments can stretch into eternity and centuries can collapse into an instant. This distortion mirrors the elasticity of the subconscious mind, which operates beyond the rigid confines of temporal measurement.
Delving deeper into the subconscious, Hubbes's art touches upon the Jungian concept of the collective unconscious, the reservoir of the experiences and narratives of humanity. His paintings are like dreams made manifest, where symbols and archetypes surface from this collective well of memory and myth. This dream space is where time folds upon itself, where ancient archetypes resurface in modern contexts, suggesting the timeless nature of certain human experiences and emotions.
The philosophical undertones of Hubbes's paintings are profound. He seems to draw from the well of existentialism, questioning the role of the individual within the temporal tapestry. Are we merely cogs in the cosmic clockwork, or do we possess the agency to navigate the streams of time that flow within us? His work grapples with the Heideggerian concept of ‘being-towards-death,’ the idea that the awareness of mortality shapes our existence. The omnipresent clocks and temporal motifs underscore our race against time, the human urge to find meaning before the inevitable end.
The artist's exploration of the subconscious is further amplified by his use of abstraction and surrealism. The fragmented and reassembled forms could be seen as a visual representation of Freud's theory of the mind, where our conscious awareness is only the tip of the iceberg floating above a vast, unknown subconscious. In this realm, time travel becomes a metaphor for diving into the depths of the psyche, unearthing hidden memories, and confronting the specters of our personal and collective histories.
Eric Hubbes's art offers a profound visual and intellectual experience that extends beyond aesthetic pleasure, educating and challenging its viewers in several ways. Hubbes's work invites viewers to reflect on their relationship with time, encouraging a deeper appreciation of the present moment.
By juxtaposing historical and futuristic elements, he reminds us of the transient nature of human existence and the continuity of time. His portrayal of time as a fluid, rather than fixed, concept can teach viewers to consider their lives outside the relentless tick-tock of the chronological clock and to understand the power of living in the now while being cognizant of the past and future. The subconscious mind is a recurrent theme in Hubbes's paintings, which often resemble a dream or a stream of consciousness. His work can teach viewers about the richness and complexity of their inner worlds. It serves as a visual prompt for introspection, pushing individuals to explore their own thoughts, feelings, and impulses that lie beneath the surface of conscious awareness.
Hubbes's fantastical and intricate scenes inspire viewers to use their imagination, to see beyond the literal and explore the realms of the possible and impossible. His art suggests that curiosity and imagination are essential tools for discovering new perspectives and ideas, and that creativity is not confined to the canvas but is a vital part of everyday life. In a world that often demands black-and-white answers, Hubbes's art teaches the value of ambiguity and complexity. His layered and multifaceted works remind viewers that not everything has a simple explanation and that complexity can be a source of beauty and wonder rather than frustration.
The paintings are rich with philosophical allusions, encouraging viewers to grapple with questions about the nature of reality, the concept of time, and the human experience. Hubbes's art can serve as a starting point for exploring philosophical ideas and for discussing and debating these concepts with others. By incorporating elements from various epochs and cultures, Hubbes's paintings can increase viewers' awareness of history and culture. They suggest the interconnectedness of human experiences across time and space, and they may inspire a desire to learn more about the historical and cultural references within his work.
Deciphering Hubbes's complex visual narratives can sharpen viewers' critical thinking and interpretation skills. His work does not provide easy answers but instead poses puzzles that require active engagement. Viewers learn to observe closely, think critically, and develop their interpretations, which are skills that are valuable far beyond the realm of art appreciation.
Eric Hubbes's art serves as a catalyst for personal growth and intellectual engagement. It teaches viewers to question, to feel, to imagine, and to understand the world in new and profound ways.
In the ever-shifting landscape of contemporary art, where artists often find themselves navigating the crosscurrents of innovation and tradition, Eric Hubbes emerges as a visionary cartographer charting the subconscious terrains and temporal mysteries of the human experience. His place within the contemporary art scene is akin to that of a temporal alchemist, transmuting the base metals of our daily existence into the gold of metaphysical inquiry through his paintings.
Hubbes's art does not simply hang inert on gallery walls; it pulsates with the lifeblood of modern anxieties and aspirations. It resonates with a society in the throes of rapid change, where the digital age has untethered us from traditional notions of time and space. His work reflects the zeitgeist of an era obsessed with the paradoxes of progress—simultaneously looking forward into the virtual unknown and backward into the nostalgic past.
Within the contemporary art scene, Hubbes could be seen as a boundary-walker. His paintings serve as portals to fantastic realms that offer an escape from the mundane, yet they never fully relinquish their grip on reality. Instead, they provide a space for contemplation, a respite where viewers can engage with deeper truths cloaked in the fantastical. His exhibitions are not mere displays; they are experiential journeys that beckon the viewer to embark on an odyssey of self-discovery.
The narrative of Hubbes's place in contemporary art is also one of interconnectivity. In a globalized art world that thrives on the exchange of ideas across continents, his paintings speak a universal language of dreams and symbols. His work is celebrated not just for its visual appeal but for its ability to forge connections—between people, between disciplines, between the spiritual and the corporeal.
Hubbes's position in the contemporary scene is reinforced by the dialogue his work initiates—conversations that spill over from the galleries into the digital forums, shaping the discourse around the role of art in society. His pieces become subjects of academic scrutiny, objects of aesthetic delight, and sources of inspiration for a new generation of artists.
As a narrator of the intangible, Hubbes's artwork also becomes a historical document of the present, a legacy of our time that future generations will study to understand the complexities of our age. In this sense, his place in contemporary art is not just about his current relevance but also about the enduring impact of his work on the narrative of art history.
In the bustling marketplace of contemporary art, where the new is often quickly consumed and discarded, the narrative quality of Hubbes's work ensures it lingers in the collective memory. His paintings are not fleeting distractions but enduring enigmas, inviting viewers to return again and again, each visit peeling back another layer, revealing new insights and raising new questions.
The story of Eric Hubbes in the contemporary art scene is one of a relentless quest for meaning in a world saturated with information yet starved for wisdom. His work is a beacon for those weary of the superficial, a call to dive deeper into the waters of human consciousness and explore the treasures that lie beneath. In this grand narrative, Hubbes stands as both a creator and a curator of the human spirit, continuously shaping and being shaped by the evolving tapestry of contemporary art.
By Marta Puig
Contemporary Art Magazine Editor
