When Did Doors Lose Their Soul?

One of the first things you notice in the charming old neighborhoods of Buenos Aires (such as the antique and tango district of San Telmo) is that even the doors are unique, each one having a personality of its own. Many have inspired further works of art such as the original oil painting you see here. They are truly beautiful works of art.

To this day, the art of fileteadores (artists who practice folk art) is alive and strong in B.A. It gives you a sense of comfort and general wellbeing to see doors still viewed as something inviting, welcoming and full of artistic expression.

When did doors lose their soul? When did they become something negative? When did they become solely a means to shut out and lock out, instead of to welcome in?

I propose that the door is a social commentary as accurate as any other. We trusting Canadians rarely lock our doors. Perhaps this embodies the spirit of the painted doors of old San Telmo, but sadly this is changing with the passing of time and is being reflected in our societies, communities and yes, in the families that live behind the doors.

Sadly in our modern world of apartments, condos, controlling developers, and city by-laws, most people have little choice over what their door says about them or what they want them to say to others. Have we not lost a little part of our artistic expression, which contributes to the quality of life?

But if we did have the choice, if YOU had the choice, what would your door say about you? Stay original… express yourself.

Article Author: Bill Soukoreff

The lesser half of the Underground Art Project and the Underground Art Blog: The home of two artists who tirelessly fight against giclées and prints, championing original oil paintings with each brush stroke.

Visit Bill Soukoreff's author page — Bill Soukoreff's Blog