Vian Borchert

1. Where and how would you display your work in an ideal situation?

I would like my artwork to be displayed in metropolitan city galleries such NYC, LA, Berlin, Paris and other major cities, and in places like the Whitney Biennial, The Venice Biennale - Galleries such as the Allan Stone Gallery in NY and Gagosian Gallery to name a few. (This actually is my dream to show in such places).

2. If expository writing is good at elucidating and proving a point and descriptive geometry gives us the tools by which to map objects in space in relation to one another, what kind of an apparatus does art afford us? What does art do best?

Art can make your senses wake up. Art can do many things. It is used as a medium of communication to convey a message - be it to shock, beautify or touch us visually. Also, art can serve as a form of therapy for the maker of art, the artist.

3. What can you expect from your audience/fans/viewing public? What would you like them to know about your work?

I would like my viewer  / audience / fans / public to appreciate and like what they see when they view my art. I like them to have a visual and an intellectual dialogue with my artwork. Also, I would like them to be visually pleased with this visual interaction.

For the second part of the question, I wouldn't like the viewer to know much or have any preconceived ideas about my artwork since I believe that artwork and in this case my artwork should speak on its own rather than me standing next to it and explaining it to the passers by or other form of explanation.

4. Marcel Duchamp said - "Enough with retinal art!" What is your reaction as an artist to this statement?

I like Marcel Duchamp because he was a creative thinker, and he always had a driven hunger for discovering interesting ideas and subject matters such as "ready-made art," like his Bicycle Wheel. For his time, he was a pioneer in innovation inspired art. And, yes. I agree with his statement above: there is more than meets the eye in "thinking outside of the box" art; there is a lot of thought, imagination and creativity that goes into Duchamp-ian kind of art.

5. Do you think that there is still room for art movements in today's pluralistic climate?
Yes, as long as there are thinkers, there will be art movements. I actually think of myself or my philosophies on art, my views and making art as my own school of thought.

6. What is one question you wished we had asked you about your art? Please feel free to answer it.
Most of the time, I try with my answers to cover the main picture that my art illustrates or conveys. Thus, in this regard, I can't think of a particular question that I would have liked to be asked.

Current Shows:

Opening Reception: Thursday, March 17, 7–9PM
Celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Annual Strathmore Artist Juried Exhibition.
February 26, 2011 - April 2, 2011
THE MANSION AT STRATHMORE
Free and Open to the Public
For more information call (301) 581-5125
The Mansion at Strathmore
10701 Rockville Pike
North Bethesda, MD 20852-3324

Title: "Vian Shamounki Borchert's Expressionist Journey of Multi Media"
Artwork is on display at the City of Gaithersburg's Kentlands Mansion Gallery (2nd Floor) from January 27, 2011 until March 27, 2011.
The Kentlands Mansion is located at:
320 Kent Square Road in Gaithersburg, Maryland 20878
Gallery hours: Monday - Friday from 9AM - 4PM
For a viewing appointment please call: 301-258-6394 or 301-258-6425