jorgedacruzartwork
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dog

"DOG" is a striking charcoal drawing that captures the essence of a vast and awe-inspiring landscape. At the center of the piece, a towering mountain rises up, dominating the scene with its majestic presence. The surrounding landscape stretches out for miles in all directions, with intricate details etched into the charcoal to bring the scene to life. The weather depicted in the piece is changing rapidly, with dark clouds rolling in on the horizon and the threat of rain looming in the distance. The overall effect is one of drama and tension, with the landscape seeming to shift and change before the viewer's very eyes. But despite the tumultuous weather and shifting landscape, there is a sense of profound stillness and serenity in "GOD". The mountain at the center of the piece stands as a symbol of strength and endurance, a constant presence in a world that is forever in flux. The contrast between the two perspectives highlights the power dynamics at play in society and the way in which our relationship with the natural world is shaped by our values and beliefs. The mountain, like the concept of God, can be a source of inspiration and hope or a tool of oppression and exploitation. It is up to us to reflect on our relationship with the natural world. By cultivating a sense of reverence and respect for the natural world, we can rediscover the power and majesty of the mountain and maybe reconnect with the divine. With its powerful imagery and expert use of charcoal, "GOD" is a masterful work of art that speaks to the timeless themes of nature, power, and transcendence. It is a piece that will capture the imagination of viewers for years to come.JC

Dog - charcoal on paper | 240x160cm l © k37 studio, bethanien Berlin December 2018

In Dog, Jorge da Cruz presents a monumental meditation on perception, time, and the quiet power of anticipation. This expansive charcoal landscape, spanning 16 sheets and measuring 240x160 cm, immerses viewers in a scene that captures a moment stretched between light and sound, motion and stillness, clarity and ambiguity. The work draws from the natural delay between sight and sound—the flash of lightning preceding the crash of thunder—using this sensory dissonance to evoke a fragmented yet unified experience of the world.

At the center of the composition, a mountain rises like a silent sentinel, unmoving amidst the turbulence that surrounds it. This grounded, monumental form anchors the piece, its stillness offering a stark contrast to the restless storm clouds above. Da Cruz’s expressive strokes of charcoal render these clouds as churning, dynamic entities, embodying the raw, untamed energy of a brewing storm. The mountain becomes more than a feature of the landscape—it takes on symbolic weight, representing endurance, spirituality, and the timeless resilience of nature in the face of chaos. The title, Dog, flips the word “God,” introducing a subtle yet profound layer of interpretation. This inversion suggests a reflection, a reordering, or even a playful provocation, inviting viewers to question their assumptions about divinity, nature, and meaning. Like the mountain itself, the title holds both simplicity and depth, offering a lens through which to explore the hidden connections and unseen forces at work in the landscape. The reversal feels deliberate, encouraging contemplation of the dualities that permeate existence: light and dark, motion and stillness, earth and sky.

Da Cruz’s use of charcoal enhances the atmospheric tension, with its rich blacks and soft grays creating a scene thick with texture and energy. The storm clouds, rendered in sweeping strokes, seem to hang in suspension, their movement paused as if caught in the act of transformation. This interplay of stillness and motion captures a fleeting moment—a charged pause in the natural cycle where everything feels poised on the edge of change. The air is dense, almost audible, filled with the weight of something unseen yet palpable.

Through this intricate balance of contrasts, Dog becomes a meditation on the in-between: the quiet just before the storm breaks, the space where light races ahead and sound lags behind, the gap between what is perceived and what is felt. The landscape, though vast and dramatic, eschews overt spectacle in favor of subtle tension. It invites viewers to linger, to sense the immense potential in the stillness, and to confront the weight of waiting.

By capturing this moment on the cusp of transformation, Dog evokes a profound sense of anticipation. Da Cruz asks us to pause within this suspended instant, to feel the interplay of forces both physical and metaphysical, and to consider what lies just beyond the threshold of our understanding. In its quiet, restrained power, Dog speaks to the immensity of the natural world and the mysteries it holds, offering a space for reflection on the unseen energies that shape both the land and our perceptions of it.