The challenges and rewards involved in biological and cultural regeneration churn like undercurrents in the work of Alec Marin. Whether investigating the mechanisms that drive the brain’s neurorehabilitation following a stroke, teaching himself how to paint, or exploring his Chicano identity and ancient Mexica (Aztec) culture, the Oakland-based artist/neuroscientist is captivated by the discovery of connections.
These and other dimensions of Marin’s interests are on display in “All That You Change/Changes You,” an exhibition through May 2 at Mercury 20 Gallery in Oakland. Approximately 16 paintings, organized by theme more than chronologically, vary widely in what they depict, but establish strong inter-relatability by clustering around teotl. The Aztec concept of divine energy involves the ever-flowing oscillation between life’s polarized realities: day and night, birth and death, fire and water, and so on.
Born in Harlingen, Texas, Marin grew up in Brownsville, close to the Mexican border. While he drew with graphite when young, he focused on biology during high school. He pursued a bachelor’s degree from the University of St. Thomas in Houston and a doctorate from Baylor College of Medicine, then completed post-doc research at UCLA’s Department of Neurology. After publishing a few papers, Marin left academia for the private sector. The Bay Area’s high volume of biotechnology companies attracted him first to Fremont, then Oakland.
“I love the culture, people and art scene of Oakland,” he said. “The vibe is open, friendly, welcoming.”
As a self-taught artist, other than a single art class he took, Marin has been his own, primary teacher. “In college I was super-focused on biology and didn’t do art because the program was too intense,” he said. “But in grad school, when I got my first paycheck and had spare time in the evenings, I spent all my money on paint, canvases and other supplies.”
His first attempts were messy.
“My instinct was to just throw paint on the canvas,” he said. “My dorm in L.A. was near the Rothko Chapel, and I was surrounded by abstract art [collections]. Initially, I just enjoyed mixing paint, throwing a couple tones on a canvas. Then, I wanted to do portraits and landscapes. I worked on form, which took years of trial-and-error to figure out. Eventually, it just clicked. From there I transitioned to oil, which is now my primary medium.”
A strong secondary influence was a book Marin read, Aztec Philosophy: Understanding a World in Motion, by James Maffie. In paintings exploring his cultural identity, spirituality and relationship with the natural world, Marin’s newest work delves into the teotl philosophy that is the keystone of Mexica philosophy.
The single thread running through all his work is the principle of cycles. The Mexica conceptualized the universe as an oscillating struggle between paired opposites. “The challenge that idea presents to boundaries and delineations fascinates me. These things exist in relationship to each other, and everything we understand about the universe emerges from renewal and regeneration,” he said.
Momentary Condensations of Teotl demonstrates this concept and Marin’s propensity for combining ancient Mexica symbols in contemporary settings. A figure wears a split, life/death clay mask and a t-shirt with a Nine Inch Nails logo, the two “N’s” mirroring each other. The person is crocheting using a Mezzo-American, stepped-fret pattern resembling waves going in opposition to each other. “I’m indicating he is weaving teotl and existence into reality,” Marin said.
The architecture of Marin’s art and science endeavors finds its structure through mastering new techniques and skills, experimenting, troubleshooting and maintaining flexibility of mind. Moving forward, he appears intent on finding holistic discoveries and on bridging the gaps between opposites that do not at first seem interrelated, but are.
Alec Marin, ‘All That You Change/Changes You,’ through May 2 at Mercury 20 Gallery, 475 25th St., Oakland. Open Fri-Sat: noon to 5pm and by appt.; Oakland Art Murmur / First Friday: May 1, 5-9pm. mercurytwenty.com
