Consuelo Méndez speaks about her artistic practice and describes her artwork for the Graz Grammar Picó Sound System:
For years I have worked permanently in the visual arts, showing a special interest in drawing, performance, photography, mural painting, developing book objects and works on paper. Moreover, time is recorded and saved in images, words and gestures on diaries and notebooks dating back many years. The relationship between the body and visual/plastic arts has become more relevant in my expression and my pedagogy, setting the standard for creative research process.
In essence I am a draughtswoman. I look at the world as if I were scratching it, clawing, breaking, marking, washing it out, delineating, organizing and shattering it. I move between images that I invent and which invent me. I pay tribute to the creatures that have made me, and others who appear tempting my instruments to speak out, challenging my ability. I depart from drawing as a structure that weaves my humanity and is the base on my expression. The photographic camera is an instrument that records my view of the world close to me, especially urban nature. As an artist, every day I become more aware of the network of relationships with the environment and express what I feel, think and perceive through my artwork references of what is around me, imaginary or material.
There are levels of state of consciousness, individual and/or collective environments in which we function and live. Everything depends on the progress of the work and the contexts in which we interact. People always talk about the responsibility creators should have or not and their commitment to society and I really think we should also talk about the engagement of society and its cultural institutions with the creators. We live in a complex social context in which reflection becomes ever more necessary to find those alternatives for social interaction among artists, art and society itself.
This project for the Graz Grammar Picó Sound System challenged me with a type of collaboration in which my images would be shown differently from previous experiences and contexts. I created these images with enthusiasm, knowing of their future relationship with sound, movement and dance in different places and types of publics. I loved the idea of being part of a travelling sound box for the enjoyment of others.
The image is a visual collage that centers on five characters that are composed together:
• two birds: one flies and looks down; the other, grounded, observes from his corner the colorful scene
• an imaginary four-legged creature who walks to the left, happily in awe
• two human figures who face each other, with mixed imaginary characteristics, who may be in a silent conversation.
The composition is tied by elements from nature, drawn and painted to fill and hold it together as background. On the horizon, a mountain range to connect earth and sky. The image may symbolize the union of humanity with nature. We are part of nature and have been made to believe that we are not. The world is hurt and broken, mostly due to our unconscious attitude toward planet earth, its species and wonder. The earth is our mother and only space. Nevertheless, I like to leave the interpretation of my work to those who see it and feel whatever comes to mind-heart when enjoying it. Color is very important in my art and creative expression. So, I offer you the colors I make.
