Becoming Whole

Though they may be merely inanimate objects, when we love them they can be extensions of ourselves. For the objects and for us that is a fulfilling and rewarding relationship. Yet because they are extensions of ourselves when they are damaged we feel that pain acutely. And if one were to want to inflict pain upon us, they would merely need to exact an act of violence on the things we love. Such was the case with this painting, deliberately damaged in an act of violence against the owner. But through hard work, experience, and care hopefully we can help not only this painting but the owner in Becoming Whole

--

Support me on Patreon

Official Baumgartner Merchandise

Follow me on

[benjaminmarks]

Julian: "Paintings don't generally spontaneously explode"
Bansky: * Taking notes *

[loralea]

there's something extra special about a vandalized or purposefully destroyed piece of art getting put back together. it's shows clearly how much love, time and care it takes to undo and heal from even a single act of violence. there's probably a metaphor in there.

[rogthepirate]

Me, who has no clue about art conservation whatsoever: "Oh yeah, that's some damage, that fucker gonna need an interleaved lining for sure"

[defeatSpace]

Imagine how touching it would be for an artist to know that even hundreds of years later, people are still carefully caring for their art.

[euhtmej]

Me: have trouble sleeping.
Julian: “I got you bro.”

[synthiamcbride]

While I appreciate Julian not talking about who the subject of the painting is, why the painting was destroyed, and who wants it repaired, I cannot stop myself from wondering what the story is.

[mariem.]

"I once accidentally glued a painting to the table" I almost spilled my tea from laughing, this guy is so full of surprises

[rachel]

Very happy to see my girl washi kozo getting the recognition she deserves. Hope she enjoys finally spending more than a few days on a painting. Godspeed Washi.

[frog]

Of course Julian never stresses the painting, he has such a calming voice 😌

[allanlindskoog]

This whole video is such a parable for the healing that's necessary for someone who has suffered emotional/physical trauma. "While the damage can't be undone, perhaps the scars can be made invisible."

[FlyAway]

Us: The Painting
Julian: The washi kozo holding us together in these difficult times 😌

[rocknrolllowlife]

0:45 my mom told me this story of her entire middle and high school art collection (that she was going to use to provide an ecample of her art to go to art school with) got burned up in her front yard by her own sister. All because of an argument, in my eyes that's worse than burning anything else, and I cant imagine the pain she felt

[PsycheLibra]

This video should win a Webby award: it's quintessential of all Julian's videos: there's conservation technique, art history, and, always, a sublime story.

[caffeineandlegends]

*me wondering where Julian is for two weeks*

Julian: I’m back with jokes and a new spray room with ventilation system.

[ModestNeophyte]

I don't know why this video was recommended to me, as I am not a painter and I typically am not a consumer of this sort of content. However- I needed this. I've been having a full-night-long panic attack, and this video, aside from being the key to soothing me and helping me calm down, was truly enjoyable. Thank you so much.

[artificialraspberify]

The artist who painted this, Henry Jay Macmillian, was a watercolour artist most known for his portrayal of WW2 scenes. He was stationed all over during the war and painted what he saw. He only died in 1991. He might of been alive when this painting was first hurt. It makes you wonder even more about who the subject was.

[nanquan]

Seeing paintings that are so messed up, and then watching Julian putting them back together is so satisfying for some reason. That's why this has literally become one of my favorite channels on YT. Never thought I would be into Art Conservation lol

[MunthApollo]

I'm an artist who has had a pastel portrait ripped to pieces by another party in an act of rage, and the way you described such an action resonated with me. I'm not sure I had heard it described as such. It's too late for my drawing. I wasn't able to rescue it, as it was also stolen in the process (I assume thrown away shortly thereafter). Watching this was cathartic, thank you.

[cannedbeans]

Imagine being the disgruntled family member who cut the canvass and then seeing the painting repaired perfectly and knowing your anger and resentment have been rendered obsolete. That's a power move!

Am I the only one noticing how the line of the head doesn't match up? It breaks my heart, how to bring back to life a piece of art, a bit of soul, can take so much painstaking work... But there will always be a little part of it that will remind us of the damage, the suffering. It's beautiful in its own way, but more than that, it brings a lingering sense of fragility. Memento mori.