Inauguración del Centro de Bellas Artes Alejandro Cruz Ortiz
Guaynabo, Puerto Rico
26 marzo a 26 junio 1998
Exposición—Obras de A. Vonn Hartung
2021 Visión: Paisajes de Nuestra Tierra
Estas obras representan para mí la transmisión de una visión artística, una visión que va desarrollándose, que yo experimento en el cosmos en comunión espiritual con la cultura y la vida natural con mis vecinos.
El arte me define la puerta a esta profunda realidad: en un mundo que se mueve con demasiada rapidez, el arte es el mecanismo que nos desacelera, la luz que nos dirige, el punto que da equilibrio a nuestra estabilidad. En un mundo de ciencia enajenante y tecnología efímera, es nuestro vínculo íntimo con nuestro Creador.
Lo que me interesa es la belleza y sus tensiones: la libre caída del movimiento, los aspectos pasajeros de lo permanente, la verdad total de la cual carecemos, nuestro extraño danzar con la oscuridad, nuestro anhelo por la luz, y nuestra capacidad de fe. Lo que exploro aquí es esa belleza y sus tensiones, sus balances, sus cualidades conocidas y desconocidas. Para mí, el arte es un acto de salvación.
These works represent to me the transmission of an artistic vision. This vision is unfolding, one I experience in the cosmos through spiritual communion with the culture and natural life of my neighbors.
Art defines for me the gateway to this deeper reality: in a world that moves too fast, it is our braking mechanism, the searchlight of our direction, the balance point of our stability. In a world of detached science and ephemeral technology, it is our intimate link with our Creator.
It is beauty and its tensions that interest me: the free-falling part of motion, the fleeting aspects of permanence, the completeness of truth which we lack, our curious dance with darkness, our longing for light, and our capacity for faith. I am exploring here that beauty and its tension, its balances, its known and unknown qualities. For me, art is an act of salvation.
Portrait painting is (for me) a deep spiritual experience, a prayerful endeavor. In and through the physical characteristics of the person being painted is a map guiding me through and beyond emotions to where the soul of the person lives. Here I coax the soul out, so to speak, with whispers and fleeting glimpses of compassion, intuition, and something mystical. This hopefully endows the finished image with a FEELING of who the person being painted IS. I always speak in the present tense of portraits because they have a soul, and the soul always lives and is present. AVH
Pintar retratos es (para mí) una profunda experiencia espiritual, una labor de oración. En y a través de las características físicas de la persona pintada hay un mapa que me guía a través y más allá de las emociones, hacia donde vive el alma de la persona. Aquí, por así decirlo, saco el alma a relucir con susurros y destellos fugaces de compasión, intuición y algo místico. Espero que esto le dé a la imagen final una SENSACIÓN de quién ES la persona retratada. Siempre hablo en presente de los retratos porque tienen alma, y el alma siempre vive y está presente. AVH
Una obra definitoria llegó en el año 2001 cuando el Arzobispo de San Juan, Puerto Rico, Monseñor Roberto González Nieves, O.F.M., me encargó pintar el retrato oficial del primer Beato de Puerto Rico, Carlos Manuel Rodríguez Santiago. Se encuentra colgado en el Salón de los Santos del Pontificio Colegio Norteamericano del Vaticano.
The earth lies polluted under its inhabitants, for they have transgressed laws, violated the statutes, broken the everlasting covenant. Isa 24:5
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La tierra ha sido profanada por los pies de sus habitantes que pasaron por alto las leyes, violaron los mandamientos y no cumplieron el contrato Eterno. (Isa 24:5)
A.Vonn Hartung designed this poster for an ecumenical conference on the environment organized by the Catholic Commission on Justice and Peace in Puerto Rico on Earth Day 1993. The poster is interactive. Hence, the participants who purchased the posters received crayons. Proceeds went to the Faith-based environmental movement.
It depicts St. Francis giving thanks for Creation, but he stands in a semi-polluted world.
The scripture reading is from Isaiah 24:5 (“The earth is also polluted by its inhabitants, for they transgressed laws, violated statutes, broke the everlasting covenant”).
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A. Vonn Hartung diseñó este cartel para una conferencia ecuménica sobre el medio ambiente organizada por la Comisión Católica de Justicia y Paz en Puerto Rico el Día de la Tierra de 1993. El cartel es interactivo. Por lo tanto, los participantes que lo compraron recibieron crayones. Lo recaudado se destinó al movimiento ambientalista basado en la fe.
Representa a San Francisco dando gracias por la creación, pero se encuentra en un mundo semicontaminado.
La lectura bíblica es de Isaías 24:5 (“La tierra también está contaminada por sus habitantes, porque transgredieron las leyes, violaron los estatutos, quebrantaron el pacto eterno”).
“Latter-Day Jonah” is a concept, that is, a drawing with a paste-on image of planet Earth. It highlights the crisis we face due to climate change, which is a result of the overuse of carbon in our energy consumption. Furthermore, it highlights the unsustainable development that is taking place because of our predatory economic system. In fact, the technology that we have developed is so powerful that it is threatening to destroy the natural balance of God’s creation.
The threat we witness in the drawing is twofold: the terrestrial devastation caused by the power of the bulldozer and the crisis we face with overfishing and ocean pollution. Here, we see a young fisherman being swallowed, like Jonah, by a giant fish. This is symbolic of the Awakening of consciousness that we, as a species, are experiencing as scientific data is revealed to us.
This drawing can be considered a self-portrait in some ways. Indeed, I recall becoming aware of the crisis that humanity faces as we peer into and contemplate our future.
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“Jonás de los Últimos Días” es un concepto, es decir, un dibujo con una imagen del planeta Tierra pegada. Destaca la crisis que enfrentamos debido al cambio climático, resultado del uso excesivo de carbono en nuestro consumo energético. Además, destaca el desarrollo insostenible que se está produciendo debido a nuestro sistema económico depredador. De hecho, la tecnología que hemos desarrollado es tan poderosa que amenaza con destruir el equilibrio natural de la creación de Dios.
La amenaza que presenciamos en el dibujo es doble: la devastación terrestre causada por el poder de las excavadoras y la crisis que enfrentamos con la sobrepesca y la contaminación de los océanos. Aquí, vemos a un joven pescador siendo tragado, como Jonás, por un pez gigante. Esto simboliza el despertar de la conciencia que nosotros, como especie, estamos experimentando a medida que se nos revelan datos científicos.
Este dibujo puede considerarse un autorretrato en cierto modo. De hecho, recuerdo haber tomado conciencia de la crisis que enfrenta la humanidad al mirar y contemplar nuestro futuro.
Bridges unify people and make it possible for commerce (like rivers) to flow.
Bridge builders have always risen to take on the dangerous challenges and vital work of their construction.
“The Bridge-Builder” 18 x 24 inch acrylic painting
In this painting we can see the progress that the bridge makes possible: the defense of our country, the industries that bring prosperity and the cities of great population.
The iron-worker climbs to erect, refit and maintain the bridges – the vital connections that unify and make for a strong society.
As a tradesman the iron-worker, as all other dedicated workers, keeps our country connected, safe and prosperous, our people unified, and with the hope of a better future for ALL.
In celebration of St.Francis Xavier, Patron Saint of Missionaries
This painting shows the humble Jesuit missionary baptizing a youth
St. Francis Xavier brought more than 30,000 souls into the Faith. Known as the “Apostle of the Indies” and “Apostle of Japan”, he is said to have converted more people than anyone else has since Saint Paul, the Apostle.
Padre Julio Victor García commissioned this painting/retablo in 2002 for Iglesia San Francisco Javier (Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico). It measures 6 feet in width by 11 feet in height and is my original design. I built it from solid mahogany, painted it in acrylic, and gilded it with gold and copper leaf.
Symbolic elements of the painting
The vertical format symbolizes this world, our Church, and the witness of the life and evangelizing work of San Francisco Javier.
The frame displays the Sign of the Cross with which we as Christians identify ourselves in and through Baptism. It represents the tireless work of St. Francis, from sunrise to sunset. Additionally, it shows the eternal truth, the Alpha and Omega of Christ. It acts as a window through which we enter to find further truths.
St. Francis Xavier is baptizing a youth. Significantly, the youth symbolize the future church. Hence, we see the people coming to the Faith.
The Holy Family is represented by all who do the Will of the Father. Specifically, they are bringing young souls to be saved.
The Children brought forth by their Godparents engage us in reflection and contemplative prayer.
The Holy Trinity: Above the head of St. Francis, we see the sacred image of the Holy Trinity. The great 15th-century Russian iconographer Andre Rublev con. Its inclusion is meant to draw us into the mystery of God and to remind us of God’s love. Additionally, it prophetically reminds us of Jesus’ words as expressed in John 15 26-27 (“When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth that proceeds from the Father, he will testify to me. And you also testify, because you have been with me from the beginning.”)
The Background: Surrounding this cascade of divinity with its luminous light and vapors are luxurious examples of Holy Creation. Specifically, the abundance of nature expresses this concept. The breadfruit and mango trees symbolize Love, Beauty, and Resurrection. Additionally, we see the dove drawing closer, and the serpent, which is being driven away.
“They who pray with faith have fervor, and fervor is the fire of prayer. This mysterious fire has the power of consuming all our faults and imperfections, and of giving to our actions, vitality, beauty, and merit.” (Francis Xavier)
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Español
En celebración de San Francisco Javier, Patrón de los Misioneros
San Francisco Javier, misionero jesuita
Esta pintura muestra al humilde misionero jesuita bautizando a un joven.
San Francisco Javier convirtió a más de 30.000 almas a la fe. Conocido como el «Apóstol de las Indias» y el «Apóstol del Japón», se dice que convirtió a más personas que nadie desde San Pablo, el apóstol.
El Padre Julio Víctor García encargó esta pintura/retablo en 2002 para la Iglesia San Francisco Javier (Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico). Mide 6 pies de ancho por 11 pies de alto y es mi diseño original. La construí con caoba maciza, la pinté con acrílico y la doré con pan de oro y cobre.
Elementos simbólicos de la pintura
El formato vertical simboliza este mundo, nuestra Iglesia y el testimonio de la vida y la obra evangelizadora de San Francisco Javier.
El marco muestra la Señal de la Cruz, con la que los cristianos nos identificamos en y a través del Bautismo. Representa la labor incansable de San Francisco, desde el amanecer hasta el anochecer. Además, muestra la verdad eterna, el Alfa y la Omega de Cristo. Actúa como una ventana por la que entramos para encontrar verdades más profundas.
San Francisco Javier bautiza a un joven. Significativamente, los jóvenes simbolizan la iglesia futura. Por lo tanto, vemos a las personas acercarse a la fe.
La Sagrada Familia está representada por todos los que hacen la voluntad del Padre. Específicamente, traen almas jóvenes para la salvación.
Los niños traídos por sus padrinos nos invitan a la reflexión y a la oración contemplativa.
La Santísima Trinidad: Sobre la cabeza de San Francisco, vemos la sagrada imagen de la Santísima Trinidad. El gran iconógrafo ruso del siglo XV, André Rublev, la configuró. Su inclusión busca adentrarnos en el misterio de Dios y recordarnos su amor. Además, nos recuerda proféticamente las palabras de Jesús expresadas en Juan 15:26-27: «Cuando venga el Consolador, que yo os enviaré de parte del Padre, el Espíritu de verdad que procede del Padre, él dará testimonio de mí. Y vosotros también daréis testimonio, porque habéis estado conmigo desde el principio».
El contexto: Rodeando esta cascada de divinidad con su luz luminosa y sus vapores, se encuentran suntuosos ejemplos de la Sagrada Creación. En concreto, la abundancia de la naturaleza expresa este concepto. Los árboles del pan y del mango simbolizan el amor, la belleza y la resurrección. Además, vemos a la paloma acercándose y a la serpiente, que es ahuyentada.
Quienes oran con fe tienen fervor, y el fervor es el fuego de la oración. Este fuego misterioso tiene el poder de consumir todas nuestras faltas e imperfecciones, y de dar a nuestras acciones vitalidad, belleza y mérito. (Francisco Javier)
As I prepare to travel to my high school reunion, the image which completely dominates my mind’s eye is Francis X Sweeney, an iconic figure in my life and in the lives of generations of students in Waterford, Connecticut.
Francis X Sweeney (circa 1960)
“Fran Sweeney has been the face of athletics in Waterford, Connecticut from an education perspective, for 60 plus years. He was truly the originator of the athletic program. Every sport that came about, he would have his hand in setting it up for the school.” (Dan Steward, First Selectman)
A native of Maine, Mr. Sweeney began teaching physical education in Waterford in 1951. When the high school opened in 1956, he became the first athletic director, and also taught math, science and health. He coached nearly every sport and doubled as a trainer, lifeguard and swimming instructor. A father of six and devoted husband to Betty Cragin Sweeney, he was insistent on having as many sports for women as men. He was committed to Waterford, becoming a member of both the Boards of Education and the Waterford Recreation and Parks Committee.
When finally retiring after 28 years of teaching and coaching, he began a new career in nursing and sports medicine which earned him the honorable title of “Doc” and all this while still coaching at Connecticut College and officiating softball. He fulfilled his own motto “Do your best!”
You didn’t have to be an athlete to be in Fran’s inner circle. He looked at who the person was and what their qualities were.
Francis X Sweeney, “TeacherMentorFriend” Oil portrait
He loved the students of Waterford, acting as a mentor to many.
“He was a terrific person from a high school kid’s perspective. He was always so approachable. I think every kid that went through those halls had a similar perspective to who he was. He had this magnetism that was pretty powerful.” (Jim Cavalieri WHS 1973)
In April 2013 I contacted a group of friends from the class of 1960 and we launched a grassroots effort to change a 213 year old town policy which prohibited naming buildings or fields after any one person.
It was like a tsunami! It took on a life of its own. Communicating with all these people, most of them much younger than me, that’s what would have excited Fran the most, that we were all connecting and working together.
Hundreds of people signed petitions and on September 26th the Board of Education voted to change the policy and on October 29th unanimously voted to name the new athletic complex the Francis X Sweeney Field House.
Now, 213 years later, they have changed the policy and the town has assumed a personality. And there is no better personality to choose than Francis X Sweeney.
I was deeply inspired to paint an oil portrait of Mr. Sweeney shortly after he passed away in December 2012. The painting was later reproduced as a very large giclee print on canvas and unveiled by the Sweeney family at the Dedication Ceremony in January 2014.
Sweeney Family unveils portrait of Francis X Sweeney by AVonnHartung
The idea of painting a portrait was planted in my mind even before I thought about naming the field house for him. He was such a good friend and it was something that I could do despite me being so far away.
When I started, I closed my eyes and thought of Fran in his fullest. The essence of Fran Sweeney was that he wanted to play ball and he wanted you to play ball with him. He wanted people to learn, to have fun and to feel good in their own bodies.
EWTN (Eternal Word Television Network) will be airing an interview on March 5, 2015 with A.Vonn Hartung about Blessed Carlos Manuel Rodríguez Santiago, and Vonn’s experience painting the portrait that is at the Vatican.
THE CHURCH IN PUERTO RICO (30 minute duration) Thursday March 5 at 3:00 am & 6:30 pm Eastern Time [Puerto Rico time: 4:00 am and 7:30 pm]
The first 15 minutes of the program is a conversion story about a young man who turned his life around and is now studying for the priesthood; the second part is the interview with Vonn.
The EWTN program can be seen on–
Liberty Cablevision Channel 103 ( in Puerto Rico)
Dish Network Channel 261
DirecTV Channel 350
ROKU
Please visit the EWTN website for channel listings in your local area. http://www.ewtn.com
“Blessed Carlos Manuel Rodríguez Santiago” Oil portrait- at Pontifical North American College, Vatican
