Jan Astner – abstract portraits exhibition at IAXAI Gallery

Exhibition of abstract portraits – transhuman art

Jan Astner’s artworks from the TRANSHUMAN VISIONS  are a series of abstract portraits. The basis of their creation are the artist’s thoughts on transhumanism. Transhumanism is a general approach to changes resulting from technicization. It concerns specific changes in the contemporary world. It is a result of the technoscience of progress in the field of artificial intelligence. This approach theoretically and abstractly designs visions and models regarding the shape of the world of the future.

Jan Astner himself reflects on the consequences of progress, in the technical, social, and cultural aspects. He notes that transhumanism touches upon a fundamental problem: the future of man and the world. Transhumanism abandons the concept of man as being, in favor of a post-species form that is a result of unlimited technological progress. Jan Astner in his abstract portraits is asking an essential question – who will we be?He asks us the question: not whether we want to choose, but whether we have a choice. Who will be the man of tomorrow? Because what he will look like is important to us today. Tomorrow may be otherwise.

The discussion on transhumanism.

Astner’s paintings refer metaphysically, anthropologically, and culturally to the designated values ​​that are of interest and concern to humanists. That is why he gave his paintings the form of abstract portraits. Jan Astner creates imaginary „face-forms” that are both beautiful and terrifying. They are painted alla prima, in intense but raw colors. On a small scale. They are numerous and varied. Jan uses different backgrounds, different colors of portraits. As if he couldn’t decide if this was the right choice, the right creative direction.

The portrait has strict rules. It has to be liked by the portrayed person. Astner, in his abstract portraits, denies this. He denies by giving a choice. He multiplies portraits, multiplies, creates variations. He changes colors, changes the background. Once it has the color of frozen blood. In another image, it is technically aluminum. In another it is matte black, absorbing all the light. Other times shiny, reflecting light.