“I shop as an artistic
practice. What I like about the things I buy is their attitude.” Juan Camilo
Guzmán (Bogotá, 1987) wrote about his exhibition “A Cosmetic Decision” where he
problematizes the subject of “surface,” as the very superficial layer.
Analyzing, observing and collecting, he frames visual information from
different sources. Guzmán finds preciosity in "Stuff"-- objects that
exceed the mass trans-cultural market, which we can all recognize in (our
present). Objects like a finely wrapped Iridescent
eyelash curler in silver from Forever 21, a bag of gummy worms, a pink
dolphin, a sentence such as "Devour
me Again " [Devórame Otra vez], from "Aesthetic power" or
"Mystery Journey".
The basis that can describe
a Latin American artist is the understanding of his context, to experience in
his own sensitivity and the use of his own time, the personal reflections that
can be opened in different interpretations. Not define in a studio, instead of
in the experience of his time.
Juan
Camilo Guzmán likes Colombian salsa, which he exchanges in Karaoke moments,
when he sings and admires Mexican short stanzas of José José, tennis once a week, discussing soccer in WhatsApp groups
of "Los Millonarios" and
the "Real Madrid," asking
you dichotomous questions (where you can only choose one answer), creating the
perfect mustaches and beards for everyone, (even if you cannot grow one),
infinite hashtags for a single Instagram image —wearing short dresses and wigs.
He does not like the sand on the beach, nor even getting wet in the rain,
natural disasters or when people run even a few minutes late. He has a big golden duck crown, as a
ring, that has accompanied all in the streets of Chicago. Guzmán received his MFA in Painting and
Drawing from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2016.
“I do
not know how to win, but I try
Perhaps
I don´t risk as much but, I dare
If
someone defines me, I ignore
If I
lost, I recognize”
Grupo Niche/Colombia,1986.
“A Cosmetic
Decision” by Juan Camilo Guzmán
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Chicago
Artists Coalition
