Festival Of World Cultures
Dún Laoghaire, Dublin, Ireland
July 23rd – 25th 2010
In June of 2010 I was invited by the Festival of World Cultures to reconstruct my Astillas instalation. It was first presented in La Culpable galery in Lima in June of 2008 (www.eltono.com/en/exhibitions/astillas). The event lasted 2 days and thanks to the constant public participation, the instalation was ever-changing and new compositions were created constantly.
The astillas arrived in three boxes from Lima.
All of a sudden a carnaval began in front of the instalation!
Back to Peru
In honor of the land where the instalation was first conceived, I decided to send one of the wood chips “back to Peru”…
:)
In these images below, you can see a selection of the compositions done by varios people throughout the festival.
At the end of June 2010 I was invited by the Spanish embassy in Hanoi to paint the facade of the Sen Thang Long hotel, in Nguyễn Trường Tộ street, close to the Old Quarter. I spent 20 days there and was helped by Duy, Bái, Thăng y Nhi, four painters used to extreme working conditions, who ended being my hosts and allowed me discover the city and Vietnamese culture in a very unusual and authentic way.
Scaffolding arriving on the first day
Duy and Nhi building the scaffolding
Progress at the end of the first day
Third day
Fourth day
Bái
Bái and Nhi
On the fifth day we had to stop because of the rain and when it's raining in Hanoi, it's raining!
Thăng giving me the "băng" (tape)
After one week
Duy and Nhi
Duy retouching
Duy taping
Duy and Thăng painting the fifth floor
Duy hiding from sun!
Nhi, Thăng and Duy
The scaffolding left as it came, by motorbike.
The finished facade after 15 days of work, click on the picture to enlarge.
Extra pictures:
My assistents didn't speak English and as I don't speak Vietnamese we were forced to be creative in our methods of communication. We used mobile phones, cameras, sign language and even sketched numbers, words and symbols on the wall while we were working.
Trying to agree on the time we would meet the next day. At 1'30 in the morning Spain was playing in one of the preliminary rounds, and I was trying to make it clear that I couldn't make it to work before 8!
In cases of impossible communication moments you always can use the "Translator"...
The facade sketch after 20 days of bad treatment and extreme humidity.
Duy, Nhi, Thăng and Bái in front of their shop in Thanh Xuân, a neighborhood in the south of Hanoi.
Thanks to my four assistants efficiency, it only took 15 days to finish the facade and I was left with a week to do a little bit of tourism, sing What is love at the Karaoke, do independent paintings in the street, finally find out what was that song Bái was playing everyday in his mobile phone, try more types of Phở, ride three at a time on a motorbike to Thanh Xuân in the rain, and try at last the Mía đá…
An incredible experience that was made possible thanks to Cesar Espada, Mónica Gutierrez, Duy, Bái, Thăng, Nhi and Thin, Mr Hai the hotel director, Eugenio, Nga, Chi, Ming from Bar36, the corner fruit sellers and Mrs Phở.
Sala de Arte Joven de la Comunidad de Madrid
Av. América 13, Madrid
De abril a agosto 2010
Comisariado por Isra Souza y Rafafans
El proyecto se basa en materializar en un espacio físico, como es la Sala de Arte Joven, la gran fuerza de las dinámicas relacionales que se experimentan en las redes sociales de internet y la llamada web 2.0.
Portales como Facebook, Tuenti, Myspace o YouTube, se crearon como “páginas blancas” con una arquitectura capaz de incorporar las aportaciones de los usuarios. Son los usuarios los que aportan el contenido y, a la vez, otros usuarios los consumen y tienen capacidad de sobreescribirlos, incorporarlos y modificarlos, generando otro tipo de valor.
Estas herramientas de producción del saber colaborativo (cuyo arquetipo es la Wiki) afectan de una forma muy profunda y duradera la manera en que se puede producir la cultura. Y eso no sólo se tiene que aplicar en el mundo de internet. Se trata de una verdadera revolución en el modelo de producción, un cambio profundo en la estructura del modus operandi de una sociedad y sus dimensiones culturales, sociales y económicas, basados en unos nuevos principios de la competencia, como son la apertura, el intercambio y la acción global.
Desarrollo del proyecto
Los artistas participantes en esta experiencia son Jacobo Castellano, Pablo Grandegraphix, Eltono, Juan López y Nano 4814. Todos ellos trabajan con unos formatos y tipologías de obra en la línea de las intervenciones artísticas en espacios específicos (site specific), con un lenguaje muy escultural, lo que posibilitará la materialización formal de esta experiencia en la Sala.
En esta ocasión, los artistas actúan como “webmasters” para dirigir, coordinar y gestionar las acciones y tareas necesarias para la producción de una obra artística mediante la actuación de un grupo colaborativo de usuarios/consumidores de cultura.
Es decir, que la Sala de Arte Joven se transforma en una plataforma de participación social, en un proceso por el cual, los propios usuarios y consumidores de cultura tienen posibilidad de participar en la producción del propio “producto artístico” a través de una red social colaborativa dirigida por los artistas, cuyo objetivo es materializar en una “obra de arte global” las dinámicas relacionales de internet.
De abril a julio de este año, los grupos de trabajo se sucederán en el montaje de sus instalaciones, en un proceso acumulativo, de tal forma que el material producido por un grupo será contenido de reflexión y actuación del siguiente, estableciéndose así un diálogo (o metadiálogo) entre todos los participantes. Este modelo de conversación, en una dimensión superior a la del propio acto de producción, es el reflejo material de los nuevos paradigmas de la web 2.0.
El resultado final de todo este proceso participativo, se podrá ver durante los meses de julio y agosto y será una “obra de arte global” que materializa varios conceptos básicos de un proceso de co-creación: la inteligencia colectiva, la disolución de la autoría y la democratización de la cultura.
Gracias a la increíble ayuda de mi grupo de trabajo (participaron en total más de 20 personas), desarrollamos 7 proyectos en la sala.
El primer experimento, Script 1.0, tuvo lugar en el Centro Cultural de España en Buenos Aires en abril del 2010. El Script 1.1 en galería Delimbo en Sevilla en abril. Con la misma idea inicié Script 1.2 para la expo Sala de Arte Joven 2.0. Se trataba de pintar la pared más grande de la galería entre todos los participantes del grupo de trabajo. Cada colaborador tenía un color asignado y tenía que pintar rayas según unas normas precisas y así se hacía ejecutor del script y a la vez espectador de como se iba pintando “automáticamente” el mural.
Marcamos una cuadricula en la pared y cada colaborador eligió su color. Antes de empezar a pintar se iba sorteando las coordenadas de cada línea (x,y) para saber su punto de arranque y su dirección.
Entre 12 personas pintamos 30 líneas de 12 colores distintos en 7 días.
Un aspecto importante de esta exposición era la posibilidad (o el deber) de reutilizar las obras de los artistas anteriores. Antes de mi, Pablo Grandegraphix, por una magnifica casualidad uso uno de mis materiales preferidos, el confeti!
Marcamos una cuadricula en la pared de la sala de arriba, definí las formas geométricas que se podían usar y con unas reglas sencillas los colaboradores prepararon la pared con cinta doble cara. Fue muy interesante ver como los colaboradores interpretaron mi trabajo a su manera, de todo el proyecto, es la obra que más me sorprendió.
Retomando el concepto de la exposición que presente en Lima en junio del 2008 (www.eltono.com/en/exhibitions/astillas) hicimos literalmente astillas con las instalaciones de los artistas anteriores. Cada colaborador tenía que seguir unas reglas sencillas (solo podían pintar tres formas geométricas utilizando un máximo de tres colores planos) y fueron recortando y pintando piezas de madera para la creación de una obra grande interactiva que se fue formando y modificando según los aportes de cada colaborador. De esa forma con cada obra particular se construyó una gran obra global de la que nadie podía controlar el avance. Una vez la exposición abierta al público, la obra podía seguir siendo modificada por los visitantes.
La idea era de pintar la vitrina con blanco de España y utilizarla como un muro donde cada uno pueda escribir con el dedo en su parte exterior. Como en las redes sociales, los colaboradores podían escribir libremente en la vitrina/muro y poco a poco se fueron sumando los espontáneos de la calle que también iban dejando sus mensajes.
Cuando invité a Julio Jara para participar en la exposición como colaborador, enseguida me propuso hacer una intervención con sus alumnos del taller “A Ciegas” (un taller de performance para personas ciegas o con deficiencia visual). Intervinieron el día de la inauguración en la sala de arriba y, vestidos con monos blancos, exploraron el espacio con sus bastones convertidos en pinceles. De esta forma, se realizó un mapa del espacio explorado a través de la imagen abstracta.
Como última pieza, reutilice el torno que Jacobo Castellano construyó inspirándose en los tornos de los claustros de monasterios. Lo transforme en un instrumento de mezcla cromática desviándolo totalmente de su inspiración inicial.
The first Script experiment, Script 1.0, took place at the Spanish Cultural Center in Buenos Aires in April 2010. Script 1.1 was run in Delimbo Gallery in Seville in April 2010 as well. With the same idea, I started Script 1.2 for my show in Sala de Arte Joven 2.0. The idea was to paint the largest wall in the gallery between all participants. Each collaborator chose a color and painted stripes following precise rules. Thus each individual executed the script while at the same time watched as the mural was “automatically” painted.
A grid was marked on the wall and each person chose the color they wanted. Before beginning to paint, a random process was used to give each person a coordinate for their line (x, y) so they would know their starting point and direction.
Over the course of 7 days, 30 lines were painted in 12 different colors by 12 people.
Video:
Thanks a lot to: Carmen y Tono (el verdadero), Julio, Ana Paula, Jaime, Clara, Hoffa, Lore, Mónica, Rafa, Rocío, Guillermo, Pablo, Laura, Dani, Sierra, Tere, Bea, Elsa, Parsec, Jesús, Alvaro, Dane, Isra, Rafafans, María, Pepito, Encarna Fernández, Justo Sánchez-Manzano, Ana Isabel Illanes, Emilio Camacho, Eduardo de la Fuente…
Delimbo Artspace
Calle Pérez Galdós nº 1, Sevilla, Spain
May 14th – July 15th 2010
The Reticula exhibition is the study of a union between calculated geometric forms and uncontrolled factors such as wear caused by spontaneous actions produced by pedestrians. Through experiments in the streets of Seville, I observed how these external factors were affecting the works installed in the street while at the same time influencing the results that would be presented in the gallery.
The SCRIPT project (see Script 1.0) consists of murals painted by following a set of predefined rules determined by the artist. Thus, the development of the work is done in an uncontrolled manner and the end result is unexpected.
In this way, the artist is a spectator in his own artwork, and can be surprised by the outcome.
To run the script in Sevilla, I drew a grid on the wall where, according to the results obtained, the lines would be drawn. Each line depended on four elements:
1 – A horizontal coordinate (a letter)
2 – A vertical coordinate (a number)
3 – A color
4 – A direction (an arrow)
For example: E, 7, yellow, vertical upward.
I decided to leave the choice (though unconscious) of these four elements to the pedestrians. I stapled sheets of paper arranged in four groups (one for each item) in the street. Each group made a sort of mini-notebook from which the leaves could be torn. In this manner the combinations that defined the lines of the mural were formed on there own. I walked around the city to record the state of the papers between four and six times a day. I only wrote down the codes generated on a site where at least one paper had been torn. Each time a new combination was generated, I wrote it down in a notebook in the order in which it was seen. The day before the opening, we reviewed all the combinations and painted each line in the order in which it was documented.
The experiment lasted five days and 19 lines were painted.
Delimbo
Calle Pérez Galdós nº 1, Sevilla, Spain
May 14th – July 15th 2010
The Reticula exhibition is the study of a union between calculated geometric forms and uncontrolled factors such as wear caused by spontaneous actions produced by pedestrians. Through experiments in the streets of Seville, I observed how these external factors were affecting the works installed in the street while at the same time influencing the results that would be presented in the gallery.
If you are interested in purchasing any of the pieces, please contact the gallery: www.delimbo.com
The SCRIPT project (see Script 1.0) consists of murals painted by following a set of predefined rules determined by the artist. Thus, the development of the work is done in an uncontrolled manner and the end result is unexpected.
In this way, the artist is a spectator in his own artwork, and can be surprised by the outcome.
To run the script in Sevilla, I drew a grid on the wall where, according to the results obtained, the lines would be drawn. Each line depended on four elements:
1 – A horizontal coordinate (a letter)
2 – A vertical coordinate (a number)
3 – A color
4 – A direction (an arrow)
For example: E, 7, yellow, vertical upward.
I decided to leave the choice (though unconscious) of these four elements to the pedestrians. I stapled sheets of paper arranged in four groups (one for each item) in the street. Each group made a sort of mini-notebook from which the leaves could be torn. In this manner the combinations that defined the lines of the mural were formed on there own. I walked around the city to record the state of the papers between four and six times a day. I only wrote down the codes generated on a site where at least one paper had been torn. Each time a new combination was generated, I wrote it down in a notebook in the order in which it was seen. The day before the opening, we reviewed all the combinations and painted each line in the order in which it was documented.
The experiment lasted five days and 19 lines were painted.
Video:
Photos:
(Click on the picture to enlarge.)
Carteles Desgarrados (Torn Posters)
I returned to the Pubblico project but this time with more refined designs, as an homage to both Jacques Villeglé and Daniel Buren. Like the previous project in Milan, once the posters were plastered, I only allowed myself to observe and decide when it was time to retrieve them. Of the 15 sets of posters that were pasted, 8 were recovered and exhibited in the gallery. Some took less than 12 hours to be modified and others more than 5 days.
Video:
Photos:
Click on the pictures to enlarge.
Set #1
Calle Santa Paula 22
Posted: 10/05/2010 at 00h59
Recovered: 11/05/2010 at 14h40
Set #2
Calle San Luis 7
Posted: 10/05/2010 at 01h06
Recovered: 11/05/2010 at 14h08
Set #3
Calle San Luis 18
Posted: 10/05/2010 at 01h13
Disappearance documented: 10/05/2010 at 11h49
Set #4
Calle San Luis 28
Posted: 10/05/2010 at 01h18
Last seen: 15/05/2010 at 17h46
Set #5
Calle San Luis 40
Posted: 10/05/2010 at 01h32
Disappearance documented: 13/05/2010 at 14h13
Set #6
Plaza Santa isabel 3
Posted: 10/05/2010 at 01h39
Recovered: 11/05/2010 at 14h17
Set #7
Plaza de la Alameda 94
Posted: 10/05/2010 at 22h12
Disappearance documented: 11/05/2010 at 18h26
Set #8
Plaza de la Alameda
Posted: 10/05/2010 at 22h52
Recovered: 11/05/2010 at 13h34
Set #9
Plaza de la Alameda
Posted: 10/05/2010 at 23h03
Disappearance documented: 11/05/2010 at 13h41
Set #10
Calle Belen 1
Posted: 10/05/2010 at 23h16
Last seen: 16/05/2010 at 13h36
Set #11
Calle Peris Mencheta 4
Posted: 10/05/2010 at 23h31
Recovered: 11/05/2010 at 01h51
Set #12
Calle Cruz Verde 4
Posted: 11/05/2010 at 00h49
Recovered: 12/05/2010 at 16h49
Set #13
Calle Cruz Verde 10
Posted: 11/05/2010 at 00h55
Recovered: 12/05/2010 at 16h32
Set #14
Calle Correduría 46
Posted: 11/05/2010 at 01h03
Last seen: 15/05/2010 at 23h56
Set #15
Calle Churruca 5
Posted: 11/05/2010 at 01h10
Recovered: 13/05/2010 at 16h56
Thanks to Laura, Seleka, Victoire, Rorro and Axel.
MUAU
Fundación Caixa Galicia, La Coruña, Spain
April 15th – June 27th 2010
I first presented the project Branco de España during the Postgraffiti, Geometría y Abstracción exhibition curated by Javier Abarca at the Fundación Caixa Galicia during the MUAU in A Coruña.
This is another experiment like Pubblico, Coriandoli or El Autotono where the final result of the artwork is completely dependent on pedestrian interaction. In this project the basis of my interest and observation was the combination of random organic drawings with my clean, calculated designs. People drew with their fingers slowly revealing my hidden images.
This is one good example of where my inspiration came from to start this experiment. This picture was taken in the Bronx, New York in March 2009.
Looking for locations in the city of Coruña, I finally decided to work around Orzán street. This street is in a traditional and popular neighborhood with a lot of nocturnal activity, just perfect for the experiment!
The guys from the MUAU set up a space for me to work in their basement...
...and I prepared three pieces of plexiglass with a hidden design on it.
On the 9th, I installed the plexiglass in the street over the shop windows I previously selected.
Calle Orzán, 130
Calle Orzán, 101
Calle Vista, 24
Then I went to the beach and waited to see if the experiment was working...
I came to take pictures 4 to 5 times a day.
...
!!!
By the 13th, I was quite satisfied with the results. It was time to pick up my artwork...
...and bring it to the Fundación.
The artworks had stayed five days in the street.
This is the video that was shown in the gallery. It was filmed and edited by M.A. Barrigüete.
Thanks to all the amazing people from the MUAU, Javier Abarca for giving me the opportunity to partake in this exhibition, and Henry Chalfant for his great conversation, insight and company.
Pictures by Elba Fernández, M.A. Barrigüete and Eltono.
Intervenciones Urbanas Iberoamericanas
CCEBA, Centro Cultural de España en Buenos Aires
Sede Balcarce 1150, San Telmo, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Abril 2010
“Intervenciones Urbanas Iberoamericanas se define como muestra de acción usualmente exterior, en un interior, tomando provecho de los muros aún en construcción, del edificio de la nueva sede CCEBA San Telmo.” www.cceba.org.ar
El proyecto SCRIPTconsiste en pintar murales ejecutando reglas predefinidas por el artista. Así el desarrollo de la obra se hace de forma descontrolada y el resultado final es inesperado. De esa forma, el propio artista puede ser sorprendido y se encuentra en la posición de espectador de su propia obra.
Fue invitado por la embajada española para participar en la muestra donde me dieron una sala vacía para desarrollar mi intervención. A partir de allí, pensé en hacer mi primer experimento SCRIPT o de “pintura descontrolada”. La idea era de pintar líneas que daban la vuelta a la habitación de forma automática. Antes de empezar a pintar, establecí unas normas que iban a dirigir el desarrollo de la pintura:
1- Cada línea empieza en la primera pared a la izquierda y acaba cuando vuelve al ese mismo sitio.
2- La altura donde empieza cada línea depende de la hora a la que se empieza a pintarla (gráfico 1).
3- La inclinación con la que empieza cada línea es definida según los minutos que indica el reloj a la hora de empezar a trazarla (gráfico 2).
4- Cada línea rebota contra el suelo y el techo con un angulo a 90 grados.
5- Al encontrarse con un cambio de plano, la línea sigue con la misma inclinación pero cambia de color.
6- La última cifra de la hora define el color que hay que usar (gráfico 3).
Una vez el script escrito y los gráficos y tablas correspondientes dibujados, solo faltó ejecutarlo.
El experimento duró cinco días y se logró pintar cinco líneas.
Video:
Fotos:
Checking dead patterns in the making of the rules for the script.
The empty room
12 colors
Mate y tarta de ricota!
Done!
I photocopied the graphics I used to execute the script and put them on the wall at the entrance of the room.
Graph 2
Graphs 3 and 1
The opening
Muchas gracias a Magda, Barbara y Martín por la preciada ayuda y a todo el equipo del CCEBA.
