Thursday, 4/17/97 Pablo Neruda’s poetry inspires eclectic
exhibit Matthews portrays own varied, artistic twist on Chilean
poet’s odes
By Vanessa VanderZanden Daily Bruin Contributor A man writes
some poetry. That poetry inspires another man to create paintings,
sculptures and various forms of art. What will this inspire?
Perhaps, it will inspire a visit to William F. Matthews’ art
exhibit, "I Have a Love of Things!" at the Gallery of Functional
Art. Located within Santa Monica’s Bergamot Station Art Center, the
exhibit pays tribute to Chilean poet Pablo Neruda. Through May 18,
the eclectic array of artistic pieces mix poetry with everyday
objects to reveal the beauty of life. Most every item on display
directly stems from Matthews’ interpretation of one of Neruda’s
poems found in his book, "Las Odas." For this reason, just about
every piece includes as a sub-title some phrase like, "Ode to the
Chair," "Ode to a Cluster of Violets or "Ode to the Guitar." The
first piece that catches the eye, and sets the mood for the entire
exhibit, is "Una Violin por California (A Violin for California),"
spawned by Neruda’s "Ode to a Violin in California." Here, Matthews
has propped open a weathered violin case, and painted the map of
California and Neruda’s ode on its interior. Sitting up at one end
in the case is the tattered violin and at the other a small black
speaker. The festive jazz, swing, accordion, violin and piano
excursions flowing from the case follow patrons around the gallery
floor, encouraging a tranquil, holiday mind-set reminiscent of "Il
Postino," a film loosely based on a postman’s relationship with
Pablo Neruda when Neruda was exiled in Italy. As the sound of
lapping ocean waves pours out of the piece, a seaside creation
beckons from the wall. This work, titled, "Claridad (Clarity)"
tells the tale of Neruda’s "Ode to the Gilly Flower." A little
abstract, the piece begins with a large wood piece with a smearing
of green, sunset red and light brown paint. The colors almost
become indistinguishable as they blend into one another, while
ocean sand stays in place with the help of candle wax, dripping
down the display’s entirety. The wax solidifies several broken sea
shells which jut out of the artwork. In this way, it seems as
though the shells are caught in the moment just before the tide
pulls the ocean’s hidden treasures off of the beach front. The
piece clearly shows the realization that nature is beauty and the
simple sea shells carry with them more importance than a
biochemistry mid-term. Matthews includes Neruda’s words, "I LOVE
YOU /NOW/after stumbling/around/this wide world/ I’ve learned a
thing or two/about/CLARITY." Yet, Matthews refuses to limit himself
to the confines of Neruda’s words. Instead, he works off of the
poet’s literary odes to create tangible odes of his own. For
instance, in "El Gato (The Cat)," Matthews uses Neruda’s "Ode to a
Cat" to build a towering cat sculpture out of an old stove door,
toy mouse, kitchen broom and other objects. In a similar manner,
Matthews employs Neruda’s "Ode to a Woman Gardening" to build his
piece, "Herramienta para Hacer Algunas Flores Amarillas (Tools to
Make Some Yellow Flowers)." This sculpture focuses around a
straw-hatted coat rack with a basket of gardening implements and
sunflower seed packets attached. The piece suggests the form of a
woman gardening through the use of functional objects which take on
a new function. Such a vision reflects the essence of Neruda’s
work, which invites audiences to look at ordinary objects in a new
light. Perhaps the two best representations of this concept come
toward the end of Matthews’ collection. One, titled "Mesa de las
Cosas (Table of Things)," takes form from a tattered table,
constructed of driftwood and a splintering cellar door. It’s glass
coffee-table face keeps various items intact, ranging from an
antique toy bat to a coat hanger and starfish, reminiscent of the
lost world of a sunken ship. Just out of sight on one table leg
lies the words of Neruda’s "Ode to the Table" which read: tables
are trustworthy titanic quadrupeds they sustain our hopes and our
daily life. In this way, Matthews reveals how tables host the ever
changing objects of our lives’ beauty, always clearly in view yet
never recognized for their poetic worth. Similarly, Matthews’
telling piece, "Oh Rio Irrevocable de Cases, Adios (Irrevocable
River of Things, Goodbye for Now)" consists merely of a mirror
framed by a series of random objects, from colored marbles to
roller skates. Such a device pays homage to Neruda’s "Ode to
Things"; everything reflected in the looking glass becomes art,
worthy of gallery house framing. Yet, Matthews’ pieces stay true to
Neruda’s love of language as well. One piece has its title, "Oda al
Hile de las Poesia" handwritten in black- crayon cursive on the
gallery wall. Below hangs a mass of variously shaped black scissors
and spool after spool of brightly colored embroidery thread. Upon
leaving Matthews’ exhibit, Neruda’s words waft from a huge, wilted
parchment piece, reminding us that while the world is lovely in its
simplicity, "It’s the words that sing, they soar and descend." ART:
"I Have A Love of Things!" an exhibit by William F. Matthews, shows
at the Bergamot Station in Santa Monica. Call (310) 829-5854. The
eclectic array of artistic pieces mix poetry with everyday objects
to reveal the beauty of life. Bergamot Station Art Center
Feature