Holywood 2004

Arsen Savadov’s painting "Holywood" pulls us into a world of surreal encounters, rendered with a delicate hand. Imagine Savadov at work, layering washes of diluted paint to create a dreamlike scene. The colors are muted, almost as if viewed through a haze, giving the landscape a timeless quality. I love the way the ballerina's tutu is both solid and ethereal, a swirl of white against the rugged terrain. Her reaching arms mirror the landscape behind her in a wonderful moment of visual harmony. I can’t help but think of other painters like David Salle, who also create these kinds of bizarre, unexpected juxtapositions. Savadov creates a dialogue between the sacred and the profane, the high art of ballet and the seductive allure of Hollywood.