As a painter, I grew up seeing the world through the prism of art. As clear and true a prism as any other, art elevated me above the poverty of my everyday existence and conferred upon my life a spirit charged with potential. That potential seemed to explode onto the public stage on March 3rd of 2005 with a one-man show at New York’s Lincoln Center and the premier of the film Off The Map. In this very special movie, the story of which is, in part, about a man’s transformation from lost soul to artist, my paintings play a significant and pivotal role.
-- Artist Stan Berning, About Art/A Memoir September 18, 2012 post
Though released in 2005, Off the Map – a film depicting the transcendent quality of art, New Mexico, earth, sky and sea – speaks to us today in our pandemic “moment.”
With leisurely progression, Off the Map is paced-for-the-patient. Why rush? is one message many of us are currently experiencing in our physical isolation. What better time than now to relax, breathe in the Zen-nature of Off the Map, hold in its themes, then breathe out with renewed patience.
Though Off the Map balances the border of romanticizing hardship with highlighting the dignity of families managing the stark realities of poverty, it does inspire this question – what do we truly need in our lives?
Beautifully, the film harmonizes colorful intrigue with the dynamic enchantment that is synonymous with New Mexico. As film character Arlene says, “New Mexico is a very powerful place.” Those of us who call New Mexico home know that Arlene’s words are probably an understatement. She adds, “Often when people first get here, it’s a little overwhelming.”
New Mexico newcomer and IRS tax-auditor William Gibbs does become overwhelmed, then comes through “the other side” transformed. Capturing the mysteries of ordinary life, Off the Map focuses on the moment that initiates Gibbs’ life as an artist.
The fictional Gibbs’ artistic expression culminates in depicting the similarity of a desert landscape and an ocean seascape – horizon stretches across our view, allowing us to see the line and the curve of the whole world.
Using materials available to him, Gibbs, on the back of a wallpaper roll retrieved from the dump, creates a painting that stretches 41 feet so that it surrounds a room, its expanse wrapping around a slowly turning viewer. To me, this painting and the film say:
Abundance is where we find it.
In this otherwise unhurried film, the scenes showing this painting and other paintings blip in mere seconds, fast clips that annoy me because the art truly is stunning and worth a much closer and longer look. I even pause the film, but that still doesn’t allow me to really view the paintings.
But I’m excited because the artist who actually created the paintings is Stan Berning of Santa Fe, and today I will be virtually visiting live his studio and meeting him. And you can, too!
Visit Stan and his studio with Santa Fe Art Tours, today, April 23, at 5:30 pm MDT.
In the seventeen years since the film, Stan has created an impressive range of evocative works. Elaine Ritchel, owner of Santa Fe Art Tours, is your host for this rare opportunity. And she is my daughter!
Santa Fe Art Tours recently launched a series of live online artist studio visits, each for the nominal fee of $10. Find out more and how to register by clicking below:
Santa Fe Art Tours — Online Live Tours
I have visited all of the artists and their studios so far, and each has been inviting, fun, captivating and thought-provoking.
Consider this fun plan for Creatives:
Visit Stan’s studio with Santa Fe Art Tours to meet Stan, to see his current work, and to hear him speak about this art.
View Off the Map, trailer here, and enjoy knowing you met the actual artist of the paintings that make Gibbs famous (in the world of the film).
Visit Stan’s Studio with Santa Fe Art Tours — Online Live Tours
Off the Map, 2003, released 2005. Filmed in New Mexico. Directed by Campbell Scott. Starring: Paintings by Stan Berning.
Also starring Joan Allen, Sam Elliott, Valentina de Angelis, Jim True-Frost, J.K. Simmons, Amy Brenneman.
Notice the land and sky scape in northern New Mexico. A photo I took when traveling this amazing state. You can see more beautiful northern New Mexico land and sky scapes in Off the Map.
And this photo is in honor of Earth Day yesterday and everyday. Earth is our home and our Collective Divine Studio.