The Metaphysical mandolin

This collage is inspired by two prominent surrealist painters: Giorgio de Chirico and René Magritte. De Chirico was the founder of metaphysical surrealism. He forced Magritte's admiration when he later discovered the “Song of Love,” a 1914 painting by de Chirico that further transformed Magritte's art.
This collage is a surrealist dream that brings together a self-portrait of de Chirico, dressed in a red costume worn by a Renaissance gentleman, watching a sited mandolin player together with the famous Michael Angelo David’s face, laid on geometrical tools, and covered with blood like in the paint entitled “Memory” by Magritte (1945).
The green background and the oval, eyeless faces, combined with geometrical tools that recall metaphysics and anachronic items, refer to a surrealist world and give the whole thing a strange character.

Follow

Kevin Chastel, an autodidact photographer for over 30 years, embarked on a transformative journey two years ago. Frustrated with simply creating 'nice pictures,' he adopted a more dynamic medium: Digital Collage Art. Preferring digital techniques over traditional paper cuts, Chastel was drawn to digital technology's unique flexibility. His artistry reflects a commitment to diverse styles and themes, drawing inspiration from humor, absurdity, symbolism, and particularly the surrealism of Belgian painter René Magritte. Chastel's collages originate from his photographs, whether digital or analog, often incorporating drawings, paintings, or AI-generated elements. Each piece aims to convey a specific message, with accompanying explanations enhancing understanding of the artwork. Surrealist collages depict impossible scenarios that challenge rationality. The versatility of digital tools permits Chastel to explore numerous variations until he achieves his vision.