{"id":31452,"date":"2015-12-11T14:00:22","date_gmt":"2015-12-11T19:00:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.artoronto.ca\/?p=31452"},"modified":"2016-01-21T14:37:25","modified_gmt":"2016-01-21T19:37:25","slug":"dorian-fitzgerald-at-clint-roenisch-gallery","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/v2.artoronto.ca\/?p=31452","title":{"rendered":"Dorian Fitzgerald at Clint Roenisch Gallery"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Dorian Fitzgerald, Weltverbesserungssyndrom<\/em>, installation view at Clint Roenisch Gallery.\u00a0Photo courtesy of Clint Roenisch Gallery.<\/p>\n

The title of the exhibition,\u00a0Weltverbesserungssyndrom<\/em>, roughly translated to World Improvement Syndrome, refers to a \u201ckind of narcissistic personality disorder\u201d where the person strives to improve the lives of others not out of selflessness, but out of a need to embolden themselves. For Valerian Rybar, rightfully the world’s most expensive decorator, this meant individualizing each of his clients\u2019 spaces and parties with overwhelming extravagance. He would draw in expert artisans from around the world \u201cwho did anything from paint Medieval tapestries on blank walls to create mother-of-pearl panels for a bathroom\u201d (The New York Times). He even spent a year organizing a party for Mr. and Ms. Patino at their 200-acre Portuguese estate, sparing absolutely no expense and working every little detail to perfection. Though the patrons and their guests were certainly more than pleased with the opulent quality of his works, Rybar himself garners a great deal of notoriety and wealth, which was even further embodied in his personal lifestyle.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Dorian Fitzgerald,\u00a0Marie-H\u00e9l\u00e8ne Naila Stephanie Josina de Rothschild and Oskar Dieter Alex von Rosenberg-R\u00e9d\u00e9, 3rd Baron von Rosenberg-Red\u00e9 at The Surrealist Ball, Chateau de Ferrieres, 1972, 2014, acrylic paint, acrylic caulk, acrylic transfer, GAC 800 on canvas mounted on wood, 60″ x 30″.\u00a0Photo courtesy of Clint Roenisch Gallery<\/p>\n

Dorian Fitzgerald\u2019s show orients around this notion of Weltverbesserrungssyndrom<\/em>. “Salon, Apartment of Valerian Rybar and Jean-Fran\u00e7ois Daigre, Rue du Bac, Paris”, the most monumental work in the collection, delves into the luxurious domestic life of Rybar, one that equalled, if not exceeded, his lavish work for his clientele. Over a year in the making, Fitzgerald perfectly captures the scene with amazingly realistic detail: capturing every glimmer off of the golden accents, the radiance from the candles and lamps, and most impressively, the brilliant reflections in the mirrored walls and ceiling. The perspectival depth paired with the overwhelming ornateness and sheer size not only draws in the audience, but immerses them into a separate space, as if walking directly into Rybar\u2019s home and share his perspective\u00a0firsthand.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Dorian Fitzgerald,\u00a0Salon, Apartment of Valerian Rybar and Jean-Fran\u00e7ois Daigre, Rue du Bac, Paris, 2015, acrylic paint, acrylic caulk, acrylic transfer, GAC 800 on canvas mounted on wood, 108″ \u00d7 132″. Photo courtesy of Clint Roenisch Gallery.<\/p>\n

Fitzgerald\u2019s adjacent works are just as resonant as the first. “Greater Kudu, Army and Navy Club (“The Rag”), Pall Mall, London” depicts the head of kudu whose horns had grown around and back into its own skull, that was then shot, stuffed and mounted in a London gentleman\u2019s club. Trophy game has long been a persisting tradition that serves to bolster a man\u2019s prestige, particularly with such a rare, endangered creature. Although It may be the smallest and least decorative piece, it stands as a subtle yet anchored accompaniment to the central theme.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Dorian Fitzgerald,\u00a0Greater Kudu, Army and Navy Club (“The Rag”), Pall Mall, London, 2015, acrylic paint, acrylic caulk, acrylic transfer, GAC 800 on canvas, 36″ x 24″.\u00a0Photo courtesy of Clint Roenisch Gallery.<\/p>\n

There is also the portrait of “Henry Cyril Paget, 5th Marquess of Anglesey, Earl of Uxbridge, circa 1900”, a reputable British aristocrat who, like Rybar, was accustomed to a very indulgent lifestyle. In this instance, he is portrayed in one of his exquisite robes adorned with jewels, precious metals, and rich fabrics. Ironically, his generous inheritance of \u00a3110,000 (\u00a355 million today) was depleted because of his frivolous spending, so he was then forced to auction off his 17,000 possessions to sustain himself and his status. Aristocracies are historically viewed as consisting of societies\u2019 best and brightest, whose entrepreneurial ventures and investments benefit everyone, therefore their wealth is a rightly-deserved measure of their virtue just as much of their success. However, Paget certainly did not pursue this ideal, instead squandering his wealth on his excesses. Fitzgerald\u2019s representation may use a monochrome palette,\u00a0as if simulating an early photograph, however the subject\u2019s luxuriousness remains emphatic.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Dorian Fitzgerald,\u00a0Henry Cyril Paget, 5th Marquess of Anglesey, Earl of Uxbridge, circa 1900, 2015.\u00a0Photo courtesy of Clint Roenisch Gallery.<\/p>\n

In its essence, Weltverbesserungssyndrom <\/em>examines the frivolity and indulgence that stems from a narcissistic approach to success; while others from an outward perspective appreciate the degree of laboriousness and esteem, moguls like Rybar and Paget often employ this recognition to glorify their own integrity.<\/p>\n

Simon Termine<\/p>\n

*Exhibition information:\u00a0Dorian Fitzgerald: Weltverbesserungssyndrom<\/em>, October 23 – December 19, 2015,\u00a0Clint Roenich Gallery, 190 Saint\u00a0 Helens Avenue, Toronto. Gallery hours: Wed \u2013 Sat, 12 \u2013 6 pm.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

by Simon Termine<\/strong><\/p>\n

The title of the exhibition, Weltverbesserungssyndrom<\/em>, a \u201ckind of narcissistic personality disorder\u201d that is often paired with the extravagance of the rich – beautifully depicted in this show by Dorian Fitzgerald.<\/p>\n

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