je 200 x 150 cm (2-teilig), Acrylic, lacquer and ink on canvas, diptychWhere is Sugarman? This painting is a game of hide and seek on canvas. Discover the silhouettes of old and young people, men and women in different poses and sizes, hiding in plain sight within the maze of colors and abstract panoramic perspectives. Just as in real life, some stand out more than others, some are more colorful or appear to be stronger or bigger, but they are all part of the same game. The vibrant colors are about the south, Latin and African food and dress, bright summer days and, of course, never-ending waves of music. On a philosophical level this painting is about the connectedness of all human beings whoever and wherever they may be. The black outlines, executed in China ink under crystal clear varnish, bring all the fields of life together or rather remind us of their existence. They create centers of activity as well as empty space and perspective. “Sugar man, won't you hurry, Cause I'm tired of these scenes. For a blue coin won't you bring back All those colors to my dreams.” Trivia: My friends Donnalynn and Victor inspired me to create a painting about the irony of fame when they recommended this brilliant film, Searching for Sugar Man (2012), about the singer Rodriguez, who was famous in South Africa without realizing it. What a story! Well, I wanted to create a somehow musical canvas, simple and complex at the same time, like a song. The work has two parts very much like the life of Rodriguez. And I signed it “Alberto,” because this is how my Mexican friends pronounce my name. The painting was first shown in 2018 during the Cannes Film Festival and is not for sale. Albrecht Behmel, The Magic of the Swarms
