The Dark Visions of John Santerineross

Web: http://www.attis.nu

John Santerineross is a New York based “image maker” who has been referred to by the media as “the world's leading neo-symbolist photographer of our time.” He creates works which stimulate and disturb, they have a dreamlike quality which crosses boundaries, they explore a dark unconscious realm where dreams and nightmares freely mix.

His development as an artist always focused on finding boundaries and crossing them. He began as a ceramist creating decorative abstractions but soon found this medium to be too limiting and then moved on, he then took to painting incorporating photographs cut from magazines and newspapers, but again he felt constrained and moved on. His present works are his most adventurous and perhaps his most personally revealing.

His images are uniquely created by the careful staging of the image rather than the use of digital manipulation. He carefully works to construct an elaborate “set” which express a dark vision through the textured use of all manner of props and stage items. It is quite an amazing process as he methodologically brings his own dream into reality and then transmits this to us through his photographs. It is difficult to really call his work photography as I feel this distracts from the intensity of their presentation; they are really works of art which have simply being captured via the photographic medium.

At times I think they are more like magical conjurations recorded on film ! His work explores the unconscious world of dark eroticism where taboos are there to be contravened rather and the forbidden is just another form to be explored.

After forcing fans to wait for five years, Santerineross offers another powerful exploration of dark erotic art entitled "Dream". This sequel to "Fruit of the Secret God" which is now a rare high priced collectable explores the world of symbolism, mixing what could be perceived to be the sacred and the profane, the permitted and the taboo. The images presented are beautifully reproduced in a superbly high quality 9" x 12" hardcover book. Dream includes some 120 full color pages, of which 50 are new images not seen before. These range from the erotic and provocative to the transgressive and forbidden, none of these images are quite as they first seem and as you examine them again and again you notice new things and reflect deeper on their meaning.

Dream also includes an introduction by underground erotic writer, Nina Hugo and a short story written by artist and writer Bethalynne Bajema.

Santerineross’ work has a strong gothic feel, indeed four of his images have been used as album covers for the Goth band Attrition. At the same time it would be incorrect to put him into the “clichéd goth category”, his work stands by itself, unique and authentic, exploring dark themes with a mixture of eroticism, religious imagery and gothic themes which evoke a deep unconscious resonance from those who see them. It is impossible to pigeon hole Santerineross, his work simply stands as it is and needs to be experienced to be understood.

In addition to Dream, Santerineross has released quite a fascinating DVD. It offer four different elements of his work:

A slideshow displaying all 50 images from his latest book, Dream.

An additional slideshow displays all the images from his first book, Fruit of the Secret God. This is quite a find since this book is now long out of print and fetching very high prices.

A dark yet beautiful multimedia presentation created by musician and composer David Sussmann. This presentation combines music composed by Sussmann especially for this presentation.

The final item is a real gem. It is Santerineross’ first short art film, entitled "Child, Doll or Bone"- a disturbingly beautiful look into the mind of a "cutter". It is deeply evocative and embodies the very essence of his work.

Each DVD also includes a bonus post card.

I would also recommended the John Santerineross website, its presentation is a work of art embodying many aspects of his dark vision, it is filled with all sorts of fascinating content including a very generous selection of his images in the gallery. The film and multimedia section also offers a selection of films including the powerful "Child, Doll or Bone" available in quicktime.

There is a regular news section and, of course, a store from which we highly recommend you purchase a copy of Dream and his DVD, these will not be available forever and Dream is likely to end up a rare and treasured dark art book for those lucky enough to get a copy, so buy one quick !