Ivan Mreïs is an artist on a quest to discover the Recipe of Emotion, seeking new, unconventional ways to express feelings beyond traditional norms. Through his work, he explores the boundless possibilities of emotion, breaking free from the constraints of ‘the right way’ to capture the depth and complexity of the human experience.
Traditions, A dance of love by the river
The painting is a form of documentation of a 5 minute performance
Trials 3, Movement performance
The painting is a form of documentation of a 10 minute performance
A dance of nerves
The painting is a form of documentation of a 15 minute performance that is accompanied with the soundtrack of the body contact on the canvas.
Movement and emotions have increasingly lost their authentic connection. In the past, physical expression through dance, gestures, and body language was an immediate reflection of emotional states. Where people could freely express their feelings. However, as society evolves, these raw expressions are distilled into more controlled, prescribed forms. Emotions have been standardized by social norms, leaving little room for spontaneity and personal interpretation. The art of true movement—one that captures the fluidity of emotion—is often overshadowed by the expectation of what emotions *should* look like or how they “should” be expressed. In many cases, the natural, unguarded motions of the body are replaced by modern socially acceptable constructs and/or self-restrictions. The result is a disconnect, where emotion no longer feels fully alive in movement and is instead contained building up in anger, pain, distress until it is spilled and the unimaginable happens. Reclaiming the authentic link between the body and emotion, through unrestricted and unconventional expressions, is essential to restoring the depth and truth of human experience in art and life.