All about Pedro Sanchez 3
The following is not his stance or answer to his work. Upon observing him in recent years, I’d like to try to explain a
little about what I’ve learned about him during that short period of time. I’d like to share this viewpoint, a hint in understanding his world, without compromising the viewer’s ability to imagine the artwork in itself.
「films」
He likes films--black and whites--especially, films by Visconti, Pasolini, David Lynch and Nagisa Oshima. Among others, he adores Jim Jarmusch’s Dead Man. I guess that film in particular closely resembles his own aesthetic sense. He has a unique way in dealing with images in his mind that seems to influence his work. Recently, he
has begun exploring the realm of video art. And one day, I think we will see that accumulation of ideas that has been building inside come out, take on shape and expression.
He likes films--black and whites--especially, films by Visconti, Pasolini, David Lynch and Nagisa Oshima. Among others, he adores Jim Jarmusch’s Dead Man. I guess that film in particular closely resembles his own aesthetic sense. He has a unique way in dealing with images in his mind that seems to influence his work. Recently, he
has begun exploring the realm of video art. And one day, I think we will see that accumulation of ideas that has been building inside come out, take on shape and expression.
“If you are drifting, you do not feel the loneliness. It is better than feeling lonely.”
Jim Jarmusch
Jim Jarmusch
「let it flow」
He goes with the flow. He drifts.
He upholds subjectivity while at the same time merging with his surroundings, unperturbed. How can it be?
Perhaps, living away from his home country (Spain) for almost ten years has caused his current attitude. Holding
on to your roots while adjusting to a new environment is a challenging process that requires great power and energy; but he seems to accept and deal with it.
He goes with the flow. He drifts.
He upholds subjectivity while at the same time merging with his surroundings, unperturbed. How can it be?
Perhaps, living away from his home country (Spain) for almost ten years has caused his current attitude. Holding
on to your roots while adjusting to a new environment is a challenging process that requires great power and energy; but he seems to accept and deal with it.
Tracking in between living quarters and a studio is nomadic. Deluze and Guattari pointed out that a nomad
doesn’t divide space, does not fix the center, and refuses hierarchy. Beyond the boundaries, he is able to listen to
opinions from all sides. If you belong to a group or organization, then you tend to form a bias; and that causes
conflict, struggle, and war. If you join any state or organization, you tend to think that you should be on your
organization’s side; and that causes conflict, struggle and war. He seems to know how to keep a distance, and keep his opinions fair.
「sculptures made with light materials」
He has made wood and iron sculptures in the past. Lately, he prefers materials such as plastic bags and aluminum.
Intangible materials seem to suit his character. Perhaps he treasures this laid-back consciousness and tries to draw (construct) it. Consciousness is like a particle of energy. In a flash of inspiration or realization these moments run through the brain like electricity. This electric motion in the brain is like a flash of light. An ephemeral flash of light: somehow this phrase describes his sculptures.
He has made wood and iron sculptures in the past. Lately, he prefers materials such as plastic bags and aluminum.
Intangible materials seem to suit his character. Perhaps he treasures this laid-back consciousness and tries to draw (construct) it. Consciousness is like a particle of energy. In a flash of inspiration or realization these moments run through the brain like electricity. This electric motion in the brain is like a flash of light. An ephemeral flash of light: somehow this phrase describes his sculptures.
Lately, he has been paying close attention to ice as matter (an art material) because it is phantasmagorical and
produces unexpected forms. When light shines through it, when it becomes transparent, when it seems to shape the air around it, when it loses its shape, ice holds on to its beauty. It becomes water, and is perceivable in the air. In all three states of matter, it registers on the human scale, and that is a precious characteristic.
produces unexpected forms. When light shines through it, when it becomes transparent, when it seems to shape the air around it, when it loses its shape, ice holds on to its beauty. It becomes water, and is perceivable in the air. In all three states of matter, it registers on the human scale, and that is a precious characteristic.
There is a proverb that says, “Even a small insect has an equal spirit.” To measure the weight of the spirit is
impossible; but maybe the content of his work delineates the weight of the spirit. It is both ephemeral and strong at the same time.
impossible; but maybe the content of his work delineates the weight of the spirit. It is both ephemeral and strong at the same time.
「paintings in the brain」
Power of imagination--Like a cutout of a cloud drifting across the sky, his paintings give the impression of
something drifting steamily by. It makes one wonder, “Are ideas floating through his consciousness in this manner?”
Power of imagination--Like a cutout of a cloud drifting across the sky, his paintings give the impression of
something drifting steamily by. It makes one wonder, “Are ideas floating through his consciousness in this manner?”
He has not used a paintbrush in eight years. Perhaps he doesn’t plan to use them anymore--Perhaps he is
journeying through language. (Now he is capturing that language.) In order to find a new artistic language, he
resigned himself to a foreign environment and listened to the spark of inspiration.
journeying through language. (Now he is capturing that language.) In order to find a new artistic language, he
resigned himself to a foreign environment and listened to the spark of inspiration.
「sleep/dream」
Once, he said to me; “I am a dreamer.” Usually, ‘dreamer’ means a person who is working hard to realize their dream; but in his case, he leaves himself inside the dream, and swims. It’s a part of his everydayness. He values sleep and the imagination which stems from dreams. Moreover it seems that through sleeping, he repeats and understands daily phenomena.
Once, he said to me; “I am a dreamer.” Usually, ‘dreamer’ means a person who is working hard to realize their dream; but in his case, he leaves himself inside the dream, and swims. It’s a part of his everydayness. He values sleep and the imagination which stems from dreams. Moreover it seems that through sleeping, he repeats and understands daily phenomena.
Attitude for painting--He turns towards nothingness, and concentrates on moving far from ordinary ideas in order to be away from existing painting styles. Perhaps, he is trying to express his hearing, vision, etc. without using an existing art language.
「music」
His first painting instructor’s brother was a pianist. So there was always music in the background when he took his
lesson. The musical element has influenced his work a lot.
Music is always playing when he focuses on making art. And even when he is not listening to music, music still
plays inside his head. Usually, he listens to ambient music, or Latin Jazz, songs without lyrics.
His first painting instructor’s brother was a pianist. So there was always music in the background when he took his
lesson. The musical element has influenced his work a lot.
Music is always playing when he focuses on making art. And even when he is not listening to music, music still
plays inside his head. Usually, he listens to ambient music, or Latin Jazz, songs without lyrics.
「language」
Of course, Spanish then, by chance, English, French,
Italian, and now he finds himself in a Japanese environment. While using a foreign language, the brain
may carry out very complicated processes. He overcomes linguistic barriers by using the power of imagination. Even if he can be widely interpreted, he doesn’t care. Sometimes, with an animalistic sixth-sense he can communicate with people instinctively. By the way, he can also have conversations with animals. When asked where he comes from, I have thought that he is not a modern cosmopolitan; but actually someone from outer space. Even though I doubted it, I really thought he was an alien when we first met.
Of course, Spanish then, by chance, English, French,
Italian, and now he finds himself in a Japanese environment. While using a foreign language, the brain
may carry out very complicated processes. He overcomes linguistic barriers by using the power of imagination. Even if he can be widely interpreted, he doesn’t care. Sometimes, with an animalistic sixth-sense he can communicate with people instinctively. By the way, he can also have conversations with animals. When asked where he comes from, I have thought that he is not a modern cosmopolitan; but actually someone from outer space. Even though I doubted it, I really thought he was an alien when we first met.
His ways stem from his own magnetism, not the flow of society. I have a feeling that when he passes away he will
still remain in this world. Not as the person we know, but as a digital gene or illusionary figure. He has actually
participated in recording a sample for a Spanish voice dictionary. His voice remains in this machine.
still remain in this world. Not as the person we know, but as a digital gene or illusionary figure. He has actually
participated in recording a sample for a Spanish voice dictionary. His voice remains in this machine.
「space, aesthetic sense, and sensibility」
Strong ideas towards space and aesthetics...
I think that his works suit a person’s living space. He is currently composing artwork in his house. Seemingly, he
cannot work unless the room is cleaned and put into order.
Strong ideas towards space and aesthetics...
I think that his works suit a person’s living space. He is currently composing artwork in his house. Seemingly, he
cannot work unless the room is cleaned and put into order.
His immediate environment also severely affects his creativity. The space influences his artwork and in turn
these works deeply alter space.
His works are filled with emotion. Seen, a bright light shining in his heart.
The distance from sublimity. That’s why he can always remain new.
Satomi Nakai
Tomihisa-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
March 31, 2005
Tomihisa-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
March 31, 2005