Jesse Reichek’s sources for
the 218 works in this series,
done between 2001–2005, were the myths of
DEATH
In this
series of paintings, Reichek comes to the end of his magisterial
work, undertaken over the last 15 years of his life, to offer a
reflection on the great spiritual journeys of the species: creation,
mortality-immortality/paradise and death.
No human
experience is as universal—yet as unknown—as death. One cannot know
if death is an instant of ending, a transition, or a condition after
the event. In the United States, death is differentiated as a
clinical, legal, and religious occurrence. Every culture has evolved
myths of death, often linked to creation and rebirth. Most often it
is not understood as a destination but a cycle, not as an end but a
means. Myths about death are often connected to a path of
spirituality, to a preparation for an afterworld or an underworld.
Often the myths of death tell a story of struggle, between gods or
between god and man, which could be expressed as a question: Was god
required for man or man required for god?
In the Greek
story of Orpheus, a mortal, not a typical hero, faces death by
traveling to the Underworld to accomplish an extraordinary task and
then returns—without the favor of a God. Reichek’s paintings may be
viewed as such an epic journey.
Among the
many texts engaged by Reichek were the 4,000-year-old Egyptian
Book of the Dead, better understood as “The chapters of
Coming/or Going Forth by day.” These chapters/books contain a
collection of spells, charms, passwords, numbers and magical
formulas, lavishly illustrated, produced before death for use in the
afterlife. One of the largest was 78 feet on 37 different sheets.
Because they were commissioned by individuals, no two chapters/books
were the same. The chapters/books contained a particular fascination
for Reichek, and one can imagine that in these, his final paintings,
Reichek was preparing his own coming or going.
These
paintings are a negotiation with the unknown—a path Reichek charted
at a very early point in his life as a painter. In these final
paintings there is also the unrestrained passion of a lover,
embracing the unknown. Through the absence of color and the
precision of color, the existence of form and the pursuit of
formlessness, it is as if the painter is presenting the viewer with
a challenge to imagine something where there is nothing.
A partnership in creation.
Yet, in the
paintings, as in the Books from The Adoration of Ra,
there may be heard the subtle voice, “May I burst into light like a
purple flower remembered by a lover.”
Barry
Weisberg
Chicago, Illinois, Apr. 2006
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The following photographs of the exhibition were taken by
Jonathan Reichek:
The following photos by Jonathan Reichek were taken of selected
paintings from earlier series of Jesse's work which were hung on the
center and end walls of the exhibition space.
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JESSE
REICHEK RETROSPECTIVE --- PARTNERS IN CREATION
Works from
1947 to 2005
Creators Equity Foundation
2324 blake street • Berkeley, ca • 94704
PHONE: (510) 514-8188 • FAX: (510) 665-4893
email:
reichek@dslextreme.com
website address:
www.reichek.org
