the-R-tus (Carlo Thertus): Translating the Quantum Frequencies of Dreams into Luminous Art

Background: 1 6 5 Ismael, The End The Beginning, and Nucleus ONE.

Carlo Thertus, known artistically as the-R-tus, describes himself as a "Dreamhead", a creator who dwells in the fertile space between consciousness and the subconscious. His artistic practice is not merely a profession but a mission born from vivid, color-saturated dreams that began in the late 1980s. Today, his participation in the World Art Collection initiative by Culturale Lab marks a significant chapter in his journey to broadcast frequencies of joy, love, and compassion to a global audience.

By treating the human experience as a "biological radio" tuned to various universal vibrations, the-R-tus uses bold, luminous colors to make the invisible visible. His work serves as a peaceful but powerful response to a world often crowded with noise, offering a visual language of unity and spirit.

A Multidisciplinary Mastery of Form

 The practice of the-R-tus is characterized by a restless and inventive materiality. As a multidisciplinary artist, he navigates a wide range of techniques, from traditional acrylic and oil on canvas to complex wood relief sculptures. His work frequently incorporates found objects, old books, worn brushes, wire, and fragments of musical instruments, which he breathes new life into through collage and assembly.

His sculptural work is equally diverse, utilizing hand-built clay, pottery ceramics, and even leftover dry acrylic paint to create tactile experiences of "social geohumanity." Whether through "butterfly landscapes" or geometrically musical forms, his art seeks to give shape to the unspoken, evoking deep-seated emotions and a sense of connection within the viewer.

Vision, Method, and the "Dreamhead" Philosophy

The End The Beginning Oil on Canvas 54” X 102” Vision in a dream in January 1991 then signed in 1993 before the SOHO Exhibition.

 The-R-tus’s path to the canvas was unconventional and deeply personal. A self-taught visionary, he bypassed formal apprenticeships, choosing instead to follow the instructions provided by his dreams. A pivotal moment occurred in the early 1990s when a painting inspired by a dream, The End / The Beginning, was requested for exhibition at the White House, a testament to the resonance of his visual storytelling.

In 1991, artist Carlo Thertus experienced a profound and defining dream, he painted it over the course of the year, titled The End The Beginning. From the moment of its creation, Thertus understood that this painting carried a message of global consequence, one not intended for private ownership or commercial circulation.

In 1994, acting on the clarity of that vision, Thertus sent a letter and a photograph of the painting to President William J. Clinton. In the letter, he explained that he was an artist and that the message embedded within the painting was intended specifically for the President of the United States, believing that only the President could meaningfully respond to its implications.

Shortly thereafter, Thertus received a call from the White House requesting that the painting be sent to the White House. The End The Beginning was formally accepted as a gift to President Clinton and shipped to the White House in Washington, D.C.

The painting was exhibited at the White House for one year, displayed in a foyer area believed to be located in the West Wing, where it was viewed within the seat of national leadership. Today, The End The Beginning remains in the collection of President Bill Clinton.

The work speaks directly to the geopolitical condition of the world, past, present, and future, and reflects on the cyclical nature of endings and beginnings that define human history. Its relevance continues to resonate in the context of global affairs and humanity’s collective responsibility.

Carlo Thertus expresses deep gratitude that this work was received, exhibited, and preserved at the highest level of leadership. The End The Beginning stands as a testament to art’s capacity to transcend time, power, and borders, serving as both a personal vision and a universal message.

1 6 5 Ishmael, Acrylic on Canvas 96” X 196” Vision in a dream in November 2001, and then painted in 2006.

His method is what he calls a "quantum mode": a tripolar awareness where geometry and patterns become instruments to order chaos. Deeply influenced by instrumental jazz, he translates rhythm and flow into sacred geometry. While his work celebrates beauty, it does not ignore the turbulence of the world. Instead, he addresses social injustice and inner conflict through metaphor, choosing "beauty as an act of care" to provide hope and resilience.

Participation in a Global Creative Chorus

The-R-tus discovered the World Art Collection project as a "pulse" in the digital landscape, a gathering of collective imagination. For an artist who views humanity as quantumly entangled, participating in a project alongside thousands of other creators is a natural extension of his philosophy.

He views this publication as a map of the collective imagination and a testament to the invisible threads that bind us all. By sharing his vision through this global platform, the-R-tus seeks to amplify his message of peace and unity, transforming his personal dreamscapes into a universal love letter to humanity.

Future Horizons: Quantum Entanglement

The artist is currently immersed in his most ambitious project to date: The Quantum Entanglement of Humanity. This upcoming body of work and subsequent book (his third) centers on a massive triptych designed as an equation of divine manifestation. Incorporating visual elements inspired by solar flares and magnetic fields, the project seeks to translate the universe’s invisible vibrations into a vibrant experience of color.

With a major exhibition and book release planned for December 2026, the-R-tus continues to advocate for the "creative intelligence" within every individual. His final message is an invitation to return to the curiosity of childhood: "We are all creators... our potential is limitless, we simply need to remember who we are."

Contact & Links

Website: www.thertus.com

Instagram: @the-R-tus

Facebook: Carlo Thertus

Project Link: World Art Collection