Vision of art
1. Choose a work that represents you, describe it in relation to its format and materiality, its relation with time and space, its style and theme; detail its production process.
In several occasions I have considered this kind of question as a nuisance, because it is difficult for me to concentrate the purpose of the question (to name one work that represents me) in a single photograph. I believe that each photograph has something to contribute to the representation of oneself. Nevertheless, I pick a work that has no title and it was taken in some workshop room of the University Campus [Ciudad Universitaria] one afternoon after classes. It is a direct shot and at first sight it shows a red wall, column and floor, which presupposes some kind of uniformity in each of the planes, but each of the surfaces has its own detail and characteristics. It could be the dust accumulated in the corners, stains of God knows what, the material that composes them, etc. This work also represents the place where I like to pay attention when I take a picture, a situation where I trace one out of many possible relations between things.
2. In general terms, how would you suggest to approach your work?
I think that everyone has its own way of approaching art and the same happens when reading or interpreting a piece, the important thing is the decision to get closer to a work. During this encounter, the exchange between artist, work and the public takes place. That is what I value from an artwork, more than the way it could be read.
3. In reference to your work and your position in the national and international art fields, what tradition do you recognize yourself in? Who are your contemporary referents? What artists of previous generations are of interest to you?
Thinking about referents, many artists from different disciplines that have influenced my thinking for some time now come to my mind, like Julio Cortázar in literature, The Beatles in music, Arnold Newman in photography, Francis Bacon in painting and the architectonic projects of Archigram group. In the national context: Daniel Tubíos, Marcos López, Juan Travnik, Arturo Aguiar, Esteban Pastorino and Ignacio Iasparra’s photography. And other artists such as Enio Iommi, Jorge de la Vega, Grippo, Marta Minujín. In the international context I would not like to skip mentioning Damien Hirst and Jeff Wall, but lately I’m paying particular attention to the work of Paul Pfeiffer. The architecture work of Rem Koolhas conveys a weird feeling of contemporaneity, similar to what Damien Hirst produces within the visual arts or Radiohead and Beck in music, through the use of diverse techniques and simultaneous languages. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the people that I consider referents, although they don’t consider themselves as artists, those with whom I share different moments where I learn through the exchange of ideas and views about the world that surrounds us.
4. Choose works or exhibitions from the last ten or fifteen years which in your opinion were very significant and explain why
Guillermo Iuso’s work and the idea that his work is to paint his story.
