Artist Statement
I am an artist who seeks to bridge the realms of art, science, and philosophy through the medium of sculpture. My work is a testament to the power of visual art to illuminate complex ideas and foster a deeper understanding of the universe that surrounds us as well as our existence. I refer to my unique approach as "Cognitivism."
In a world where art serves as a form of decoration or aesthetics, I have chosen to embark on a different path. My sculptures are not mere objects meant to adorn spaces; they are vehicles for intellectual exploration. Each piece I create is a portal to the mysteries of astrophysical phenomena and philosophical aphorisms, inviting viewers to engage their minds and unravel the secrets of the cosmos and all life.
The materials I employ, including metal, clay, wood, plaster, and oil colors, serve as both the foundation and the canvas for my artistic vision. I mold and craft these elements into sculptures that transcend the boundaries of traditional art, transforming them into vessels for knowledge and enlightenment. Each sculpture tells a story of of life within the universe, from the curvature of spacetime to the depths of human consciousness.
My objective is clear: to inspire curiosity and stimulate synapses, to ignite the desire to understand the complex and to kindle the pursuit of knowledge. Through my art, I aspire to be a catalyst for the inquisitive, a guide to the intricate, and a beacon for those who wish to venture beyond the surface and explore the profound.
I invite you to embark on this cognitive journey with me, to stand before my sculptures, and to let your mind traverse the magic fabric I have woven into each work of art. Through "Cognitivism," I endeavor to engage, enlighten, and enrich the lives of those who encounter my creations.
Thank you for sharing this intellectual voyage with me.
Engo
Engo's COGNITIVISM movement
Cognitivism is a term often used in psychology and philosophy to describe a theoretical perspective that focuses on mental processes, including perception, memory, reasoning, and decision-making. It is primarily concerned with understanding how the mind works and processes information.
Art movements, including aesthetic cognitivism, are typically related to the creative expression and aesthetics of art, rather than cognitive processes, and do not afford knowledge. Most modern philosophers, since and including Plato, argue that looking to art for knowledge is normatively inappropriate. While cognitivism has its place in the study of the mind, it was never an art style in the traditional sense.
Engo's cognitivism movement, started in 2008, breaks with all past movements in that its focus and purpose is to induce complex astrophysics knowledge and philosophical aphorisms to mankind with brutal simplicity by means of fine art and its derivatives, books and music. He's aware of the immense computational potential within the collective human intellect and the enchanting results it can produce. In fact, he seems to know what the outcomes will be. In the fast pace of our era we will soon be seeing other minds joining Engo's cognitivism movement.
Scientific Collection
A quadratic array of free standing sculptures defines the first works of sculptor ENGO’s collection titled “Tensio”. These works also represent the world’s first works of the cognitivism movement. 3 of total 9 shapes of the Tensio works have been created into existence until today. ENGO worked with cubes of various sizes to create his worlds within them and used traditional sculptural media, such as clay, steel, copper and paint. An intriguing effect is added with some elastic material on 3 of the 5 works that plays with the viewer’s synapses while injecting amazement and profound knowledge through touch, push and feel.
Answers to secrets of astrophysical phenomena are induced through sculptural precision as well as imperfection, creating the fundamental understanding of the matter as well as sparking certain questions in the viewer's mind, just as the artist seems to have intended. Each piece pushes the mind of the viewer further out to the universe and beyond. Each sculpture thus becomes a container that transmits complex knowledge of the universe which will continue to grow in the viewer's mind and soul.
The need for each object to feel handmade is critical to reflect the imprecision of universal perfectness. The artist deliberately chose forms, angles, materials and colours to reflect the enormousness of and frightening lonesomeness within the cosmos. The artist’s full intentions will probably remain mysterious, considering the totality of his artistic works and his background. But next to injecting knowledge, he appears to want to create and utilise a certain type of fascination within the viewer only felt by most during their childhood, for the purpose of accelerating and deepening the learning process.
The above is also true for the other works in the "scientific" series of Engo, where he also dives into the modern philosophy of physics.
Aphorism Collection
This collection is about unveiling life's essential truths by means of works that spark new processes of the human mind.
Engo channels profound philosophical wisdom into tangible, three-dimensional form. Each sculpture within Engo's remarkable collection serves as a conduit for enlightenment, guiding viewers on an introspective journey towards a deeper understanding of life's timeless verities.
Through the fusion of artistry and philosophy, Engo's creations become portals to a world of contemplation and self-discovery. Like philosophical aphorisms etched in matter, these sculptures distill complex ideas into visually striking and emotionally resonant forms. The meticulous craftsmanship breathes life into each piece, allowing these silent sentinels to communicate the profound without uttering a word.
Engo's sculptures invite you to explore the intricate interplay between aesthetics and meaning. As you engage with each piece, you embark on a quest to unlock universal truths. These sculptures transcend mere artwork; they are conduits for revelation and transformation in-line with his cognitivism movement.
Whether it's the stoic elegance of a figure captured in contemplation or the dynamic tension of conflicting ideas embodied in form, Engo's sculptures challenge you to ponder, question, and ultimately embrace the deeper facets of existence. They serve as reminders that life's most profound insights can often be found in the simplest and most unexpected places.
Experience his sculptural Insights for yourself and let these artistic treasures guide you toward the key truths of life, allowing you to navigate the complexities of existence with newfound clarity and purpose.
Engo’s work evolves best through letting go of your consciousness and accepting to feel fascination for the images your brain will produce while being pushed to reflect on the universe’s biggest questions and your life. The unique scenery of each work appears to contain a whole universe effortlessly and puts humanly things into context while knowing only too well that the universe, too, will not suffice.
Artist Biography
ENGO is an accomplished fine artist who creates sculptural works and paintings around spacetime and philosophical aphorisms told through a distinct lens driven by his cognitivism approach. His aim is to stimulate the viewer's brain in such a way that complex knowledge is formed and felt within the viewer. His ultimate goal is to contribute to the acceleration of scientific progress of all of humanity. It is for this goal that he plays with ideas that trigger deep understanding of otherwise very hard internalised knowledge and wisdom. In line with his cognitivism movement, he writes books and composes music, too.
ENGO plays with the notion of existence within the cosmos, cancelling intellectual borders.
His works establish and radiate harmony while initiating the search for a new raison d’être in the viewers intimate examinations of the everyday. Also, he is challenging all known aspects of arts in a world with increasing repetitiveness, ignorance and superficiality of historic proportions and distances himself from art with his cognitivism movement that carries his name.
As a child of immigrants, he grew up in a village near Zurich. He is a creative artist, humanist and philosopher who understands the value of fascination for education and science and, ultimately, for better worlds.
Engo lives and works in beautiful Zurich, Switzerland