Jan Astner series of sanguine drawings TRANSHUMAN PORTRAITS

Jan Astner – Transhuman Portrait II, acrylic and ink on Fabriano paper

Jan Astner – Transhuman Portrait VII, acrylic and ink on Fabriano paper

Jan Astner – Transhuman Portrait XX, acrylic and ink on Fabriano paper

Jan Astner – Transhuman Portrait XV, acrylic and ink on Fabriano paper

Jan Astner – Transhuman Portrait VIII, acrylic and ink on Fabriano paper

Series of sanguine drawings

Jan Astner creates a series of sanguine drawings on white wood. He chose sanguine because of its color. Red like dried human blood. Because the entire series of TRANSHUMAN PORTRAITS works relates to a human being. He chose this theme for his works because the portrait in our tradition and culture probably reflects the best of our humanity. They are drawn alla prima, with a firm stroke and without corrections. Impressions, very impulsive, with a unique form of drawing. Technical, because not painted with a soft brush, but with a stiff piece of broken metal.

TRANSHUMAN PORTRAITS, a series of sanguine drawings series is a voice in the discussion on transhumanism. Transhuman. Transitional human. A transitional man. According to the supporters of transhumanism, it will be an ideal, perfect being. Improved by biotechnology, gene manipulation, brain transplantation … But doesn’t it also pose a huge threat? Are we sure we control everything that brings with it “progress”, rushing at a crazy pace, maybe towards our destruction? Are we not threatened only by a „transitional man”, but also a departure from humanity? Our annihilation?

Artist’s reflections

The entire series of sanguine drawings series is consistent, homogeneous in form and content. It relates to a contemporary problem. It is worth getting into the philosophy of transhumanism. Get to know the thoughts of contemporary intellectuals and futurists. A series of sanguine drawings that make up TRANSHUMAN PORTRAITS, or what remains of humanism in them, should inspire a certain reflection.

Jan Astner’s TRANSHUMAN PORTRAITS are a warning. The artist wants to activate our non-verbal imagination. He wants to make us think. He wants to awaken our “non-being” civilization based on objects and personal devices. Portraits with the coded scream of despair of a human being imprisoned in the trap of his own inventions. Not thinking about the future, not anticipating potential threats.

All sanguine drawings are sketches of something that is no longer a face, but a kind of transition phase, a transit towards another, unknown reality. Strong lines, technically multiplied, vibrating. Virtual holograms, vibrating with technology. Soft in form, curved, because the drawing of a human face does not have a straight line. On the other hand, it is dramatic, aggressive and inhuman. Abstract sanguine drawings that look like no one. Or rather, building many objective, dehumanized associations.