'Figuring The Future' At Fort Lee Library

Art enthusiasts were teleported into the future courtesy of the and artist Ken Vallario Thursday, when the library, which is displaying Vallario's work in its media center through the end of the month, played host to a reception for the artist.

Vallario has several pieces on display at the library as part of “Figuring the Future,” a look at art in the 21st century and its connection with the human form.

Although he’s from Rosendale, N.Y., Vallario held his latest exhibition in Fort Lee because his in-laws live in town and the local artists' guild invited him to join. Last fall, Vallario won "best in show" in an art show in Fort Lee.

Though each individual piece was born of its own idea, the concept that binds them all together is the relationship between futuristic technology and traditional, figurative art.

“Each painting is an attempt to capture a unique idea," Vallario said. "Even though the themes of science, technology, and the future of what they call a ‘transhuman evolution’ – when we merge with machines – even though that’s what interests me, each painting represents a unique idea of its own."

Intertwined with Isaac Asimov-like images of bionic figures are romantic influences of mythology, philosophy and classical favorites.

“Tribute to the Large Hadronic Collider” is an especially interesting piece. The subject is a huge machine built in Europe –the biggest machine built by humans, in fact – that’s sole purpose is to find the smallest of particles: the atom. It’s the largest particle accelerator ever built.

“They actually think that when we reach these high energy levels, they create tiny black holes,” Vallario explained. “This piece is dedicated to that, and you’ll see the shape of the collider in the painting. The figure you see is a Greek philosopher by the name of Democritus, who first came up with the idea of the atom.”

Vallario said that each of the pieces took anywhere from weeks to several months to complete. All were done with liquid acrylic paint, which the artist makes himself.  

“I work on two at a time, but they do take a long time,” he said. “Every painting is different. Sometimes I know exactly what I want to do, and it comes out just exactly as I imagined it. That’s rare.”

He agrees that his art could be classified as "fantasy” and "revelation" and seems comfortable with the idea that there’s a little bit of daydreaming in his scientific study. His influences are Salvador Dali and Pablo Picasso, among others.

Vallario explained that his interest in science from early in his life is the true influence behind much of his work, though if he had to choose between art and science, it wouldn't be a difficult decision.

“Painting has always been my number one priority,” he said.

He stressed, however, that he thinks it’s important for artists to be well-rounded.

“I’m certainly more involved in the arts," Vallario said. "My science knowledge is a laymen’s, but I’m passionate about it. I’m really trying to relate the idea that the artist should be involved in many different parts of society, not simply just art.”

Anyone interested in learning more about Vallario's vision should visit his website or the Fort Lee Public Library (by Sunday) to see his work in person.

“I dare to believe that art is still sacred, that it is the highest act of philosophy, if only because it has become impossible to define,” the artist says on his website.