jorgedacruzartwork
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North variations

"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

Jorge daCruz- North variations for Fedderico Albanese soundtrack - Charcoal on paper | 120x278cm l © k37 studio, bethanienArtCenter Berlin Apri 2019

 

The Twelve

Jorge Da Cruz’s charcoal triptych was created for the film The Twelve, a collaboration with composer Federico Albanese. The drawing accompanies the music piece “North Variations,” part of Albanese’s soundtrack album of the same name.

The composition unfolds across three panels. On the left, a Nordic landscape reflects harmony between human presence and the natural world—a vision of quiet coexistence. On the right, a contrasting image: fractured terrain, drifting figures, and disrupted homes suggest migration, dislocation, and survival. At the center stands a monumental figure—part deity, part monument—holding the tension between order and disorder, between stillness and movement.

The drawing echoes the tone of Albanese’s music: contemplative, expansive, and grounded in personal stories. Each track in The Twelve is connected to one of twelve individuals from different parts of the world—elders, masters, guardians of ancestral knowledge. The film captures their gestures, movements, and voices, creating a portrait of embodied memory, resilience, and cultural depth.

“North Variations” was inspired by Lyudmila Khomovna, a member of the Uilta people in Siberia, whose presence evoked for Albanese the warmth that can exist within extreme conditions. Another track, “The Stars We Follow,” reflects on the movements of Japanese master Aoki Hiroyuki—part martial art, part dance—a quiet pursuit of meaning that the artist describes as “chasing the stars.”

Charcoal, with its depth, grain, and density, becomes the medium through which these stories take visual form. In Da Cruz’s hands, it doesn’t just depict—it flows, expands, and suspends time. The triptych asserts its own rhythm: vast yet intimate, silent yet resonant. The work becomes a visual architecture, monumental in scale and impact, shaping space and narrative with each stroke.

 

Federico Albanese - North Variation (Official Music Video) | "The Twelve" Official Soundtrack

Federico Albanese - North Variation (Official Music Video) "The Twelve" ist ein Soundtrack, aber auch ein eigenständiges Musikalbum. "Es erzählt die Geschichte [von] zwölf Menschen, auch ohne den Film", erklärt Federico Albanese: https://NM.lnk.to/the-twelveID

Die Stücke auf "The Twelve" wecken Gefühle der Meditation und Antizipation, die einen wunderbaren Sinn für das Geschichtenerzählen vermitteln, und zu wissen, was Albanese dazu inspirierte, verleiht ihrem Inhalt nur noch mehr Kraft. Nehmen wir zum Beispiel "The Stars We Follow", ein ebenso sanftes und kontemplatives wie kraftvolles Stück. Mehr erfahren: https://neue-meister-music.com/de/rel...

Artwork: Jorge Da Cruz / Animation: MariaLanowski.com

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