Pepón Osorio

Summary

The artist discusses their work, which embraces contradiction and explores themes of race, machismo, and displacement. They recount a childhood memory involving a traumatic haircut, which inspired a piece reflecting on African heritage and the challenges of identity. The artist's installations aim to provoke uncomfortable reactions, challenging viewers to confront their own perspectives. They also describe a project involving plastifying a house to challenge stereotypes and a mission to renew their artistic philosophy, culminating in a piece telling the story of a family's loss and resilience.

Takeaways

• 🎨 The artist discusses their work as being subversive and embracing contradiction, suggesting that beauty can coexist with a range of emotions.
• 💇 'No Crying Allowed in the Barbershop' is a piece that recreates a childhood memory and addresses the intersection of race and rites of passage.
• 👨‍🎨 The artist's father, of African descent, was a significant influence, being a creative individual who painted and crafted items from wood.
• 🏭 Coming from a working-class background, pursuing art was not initially a viable option, leading the artist to work as a social worker while also creating art.
• 🛠 The artist's installations aim to be overpowering and often provoke aesthetically uncomfortable reactions, challenging viewers to confront themselves and the work.
• 🚫 'Scene of a Crime' was an exhibit that used barriers to create sacred spaces, forcing viewers to reflect on their relationship with the Latino community.
• 🏡 The artist has done public art projects in various settings, including barbershops, taxi cabs, and basketball courts, aiming to provoke change on multiple levels.
• 👪 'State of Preservation' was a project where a wealthy family's home was plastified for three months, exploring stereotypes of the Latino family.
• 🏠 The artist's work often involves visiting homes to create art, drawing from the religious tradition of visiting saints and seeking to bring contemporary art into domestic spaces.
• 🔄 The artist feels a sense of displacement, which they have been able to resolve through their art, finding their own place and mission in the art world.

Q & A

What is the artist's approach to contradiction in their work?

The artist embraces contradiction and believes it can coexist with beauty, anger, and different emotions.

What event from the artist's childhood is depicted in 'No Crying Allowed in the Barbershop'?

The artist's traumatic experience at the age of 5 when getting their hair cut by a barber who was not used to dealing with kinky hair.

How does the artist's work 'No Crying Allowed in the Barbershop' address issues of machismo and race?

The work deals with the issue of machismo and the artist's African descent, highlighting the displacement from their community and the intersection of race and rites of passage.

What was the artist's father's contribution to their artistic development?

The artist's father, of African descent, was a creative individual who painted and made wooden articles, inspiring the artist's interest in art.

Why did the artist initially not consider being an artist as a viable option?

Coming from a working-class family, being an artist was not considered a viable option, and the artist initially worked as a social worker.

What is the significance of the artist's installations being 'overpowering'?

The artist creates installations that are overpowering to provoke an aesthetically uncomfortable reaction, aiming to make viewers confront themselves and reflect on the issues presented.

How does the artist's work 'Scene of a Crime' challenge the audience's perception of space and access?

The work delineates specific spaces with a yellow ribbon, restricting access and forcing viewers to reflect and confront themselves about the issues presented.

What is the purpose behind the artist's public art projects in non-traditional settings like barbershops and basketball courts?

The artist aims to provoke change not only socially but also physically and spiritually, using public art projects to engage different sectors of society and challenge their perceptions.

What was the concept behind the artist's project 'State of Preservation' in Santa Barbara?

The project involved plastifying a wealthy family's entire house for three months, challenging stereotypical imagery of the Latino family and exploring the concept of preservation.

How does the artist's feeling of displacement influence their work?

The artist's feeling of displacement is a recurring theme in their work, which they use to find their own place and create art that resonates with others who may share similar experiences.

What is the artist's mission and philosophy regarding their work?

The artist has a clear mission to provoke change and create art that is meaningful and impactful, using their displacement as a source of inspiration and a way to connect with a broader audience.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 Artistic Expression and Identity

The artist discusses the challenges of defining their work due to its unconventional nature, embracing contradictions and the coexistence of various emotions. They recount a childhood memory of a traumatic haircut that symbolizes both a cultural rite of passage and a racial experience. The artist's work, 'No Crying Allowed in the Barbershop,' is a tribute to their father and explores themes of machismo and the displacement of African descendants. The artist's background as a social worker and the influence of their working-class family on their art are also highlighted, emphasizing the need to create installations that provoke thought and challenge societal norms.

05:00

🏡 Art as Social Commentary

The artist describes creating art that elicits uncomfortable reactions, using their work to confront societal issues. They recount an exhibition at the Whitney Museum that felt like bringing a piece of the South Bronx to Madison Avenue, highlighting the portrayal of the Latino community. The artist uses art to create sacred spaces that force reflection and confrontation, aiming to provoke change socially, physically, and spiritually. They discuss the importance of engaging with different sectors of society to gather information and create art that reflects both personal and societal perspectives. The artist also shares personal stories, including the impact of family struggles and the desire to provoke thought and change through their work.

10:01

🔄 Art and Displacement

The artist reflects on the theme of displacement, both personally and within their art. They discuss a project that involved plastifying a house to explore stereotypes of the Latino family. The artist's own feelings of being eternally displaced are contrasted with their ability to find a place within the art world. They express a clear mission for their work, aiming to provoke thought and change. The artist also talks about the idea of art visiting homes, inspired by religious traditions, as a way to renew their mission and philosophy towards art.

Keywords

💡Contradiction

Contradiction in the video refers to the coexistence of opposing elements within art and life experiences. The artist embraces contradiction as a way to express complex emotions and ideas. It's a central theme in the artist's work, suggesting that beauty, anger, and other emotions can coexist, reflecting the multifaceted nature of human experience. For example, the artist mentions that their work deals with contradiction and that it can coexist with beauty and anger.

💡Machismo

Machismo is a concept that traditionally refers to a strong sense of masculinity, often associated with dominance and strength. In the video, the artist discusses how their work 'No Crying Allowed in the Barbershop' deals with the issue of machismo, suggesting a critique of traditional gender roles and expectations. It is presented as a cultural norm that can be both restrictive and complex, particularly within the context of the Latino community.

💡Displacement

Displacement in the video is used to describe a sense of not belonging or being disconnected from one's origins. The artist talks about feeling displaced as a person of African descent and how this feeling is reflected in their work. It's a recurring theme that speaks to the broader experience of many individuals who feel disconnected from their cultural heritage or community.

💡Aesthetically Uncomfortable

Aesthetically uncomfortable refers to the intentional creation of art that provokes discomfort or unease in the viewer. The artist mentions that their work often aims to elicit this reaction, suggesting a desire to challenge viewers and prompt them to confront their own feelings and assumptions. This approach is used to engage the audience more deeply with the artwork and its themes.

💡Installation Art

Installation art is a form of art in which the artist creates an immersive environment or experience for the viewer. The artist in the video discusses their preference for installation work, as it allows them to create spaces that are 'overpowering' and that go beyond traditional wall-based art. This approach is used to make a more significant impact on the viewer and to communicate complex ideas and emotions.

💡Cultural Identity

Cultural identity is a concept that relates to an individual's sense of self in relation to their cultural background. The artist discusses their own cultural identity as a person of African descent and how it influences their work. The video explores the complexities of cultural identity, particularly in the context of displacement and the search for a sense of belonging.

💡Memory and Nostalgia

Memory and nostalgia are central to the artist's work, as they use personal memories to recreate experiences and evoke emotions. The video mentions a childhood memory of getting a hair cut, which was meant to be a celebration but turned into a traumatic event. This memory is used to explore themes of cultural identity and the passage into adulthood.

💡Social Work

Social work is a profession that focuses on helping individuals and communities to enhance their well-being. The artist mentions their background as a social worker, indicating that their art is also informed by a desire to address social issues and to provoke change. This background adds a layer of social consciousness to their artistic practice.

💡Public Art

Public art refers to artwork that is presented in public spaces and is accessible to everyone. The artist discusses their public art projects, which have taken place in various non-traditional settings such as barber shops, taxi cabs, and basketball courts. These projects aim to engage the public directly and to bring art into everyday life.

💡Renewal

Renewal in the video is associated with the artist's desire to revisit and reinvigorate their artistic mission and philosophy. The artist talks about wanting to find or create something new, suggesting a process of self-reflection and evolution in their work. This theme of renewal is tied to the idea of personal and artistic growth.

💡Storytelling

Storytelling is a key element in the artist's work, as they use narratives to convey messages and evoke emotions. The video mentions how the artist tells stories through their art, such as the story of a family who lost their home to a fire. This approach allows the artist to connect with viewers on a personal level and to share experiences that resonate with a broader audience.

Highlights

The artist's work embraces contradiction, suggesting it can coexist with beauty and various emotions.

The artist recreates a childhood memory of getting a hair cut, which was meant to be a celebration but turned into a traumatic event.

The experience in the barber shop was a combination of race and a rite of passage into manhood.

The artist's father, of African descent, was a creative individual who painted and made wooden articles.

Being an artist was not considered a viable option for the artist, coming from a working-class family.

The artist used to work as a social worker, always having a backup plan in case their artistic pursuits didn't work out.

Installation work is the artist's chosen medium to create spaces that provoke aesthetically uncomfortable reactions.

The artist's work 'Scene of a Crime' was displayed at the Whitney Museum, symbolizing the Latino community's portrayal.

The artist creates art that reflects on societal issues and confronts viewers with their own perspectives.

The artist has done public art projects in various settings, including barber shops, taxi cabs, and basketball courts.

The artist's project 'State of Preservation' involved plastifying a wealthy family's home to challenge stereotypes.

The artist's work often involves visiting homes and creating art that tells a story, inspired by religious traditions.

The artist's mission is to provoke change not only socially but also physically and spiritually.

The artist feels eternally displaced but has found a sense of place through their art.

The artist's work is driven by a clear mission and philosophy, aiming to find or create something meaningful.

The artist's narrative often includes personal stories, such as Tina and her daughters who lost their home to a fire.

Transcripts

[Music]

it's hard to explain to people what I'm

trying to do as an artist because I do

not fit the artist description and I'm

always doing everything so subverting on

like always

differently my

work deals a lot with

contradiction I I embrace contradiction

contradiction can coexist with beauty

can coexist with

anger can coexist with a different

emotions the human

[Music]

body

[Music]

in no crying aloud in the bar

shop it's about recreating my

memory when I was 5 years old my father

took me to get my first hair card right

around the

neighborhood what was meant to be a

celebration became a disastrous

[Applause]

event this Barber he was not used to

deal with kinky hair curly

hair I was crying a lot I was scared I

was um traumatized by the sound of the

hair clipping there was a combination of

race and right of of of Passage into

into becoming a little man and I think

that they both came together

[Music]

simultaneously no crying allow in the

Barb shop deals with the issue of

machismo but as a whole and as a whole

it can next to the universe

somehow the peace pays homage to my

father a man of African descent I often

feel that as people of African descent

we were completely displaced from from

the community that we come from which is

which is a contradiction but it makes

sense in puican

reality when he was about 8 or 9 years

years old I noticed that he painted the

ceiling of the House of his room it was

beautiful you know it looked beautiful

so later on I got happy he always

everything he wanted always to to he was

doing all kinds of Articles like uh Like

Houses

trucks cars and everything you know in

wood and we enjoy see him working

because I want him to make at least to

have a trade coming from a workingclass

family

being an artist is not an option it's

more of a challenge uh than anything

else I just cannot remember ever

saying I'm going to be an artist it was

not a possibility it was not an

[Music]

alternative I was working as a social

worker and I put that role in my pocket

I always had to have two things

happening simultaneously just in case

one didn't go good well then they had

the other one to

survive the only way that I can can

connect it's it's by doing installation

work because I feel that I needed to say

something that it had to be Beyond

something on the

wall I need to create a space that is

overpowering and I'm very much aware

that my work it's one that provides uh

aesthetically uncomfortable reaction in

many

people it's it's interesting because a

lot of the people ask me do you live

like this this is how your home is and

it isn't I am making a very calculated

Intervention when this piece the scene

of a crime was in at the Whitney Museum

it almost felt as if I have taken a

piece of the South Bronx and placed it

in the middle of Madison

Avenue the Latino Community has been

portrayed as one that is very accessible

and in specifically the scene of a crime

it has a yellow ribbon where people are

not allowed to come

in because I have delineated these very

specific spaces and very specific ific

issues has sacred

spaces and as you stand and you're not

allowed to come in then you need to

reflect and you need to confront

yourself almost as if I stand a giant

mirror right in front of

you every time I create a work of art

and I go into different other sectors of

society to gather

information and the work is created when

I bring together where I am and where

the rest of society is I just want to

know if this do we have to keep on

visiting you behind you know behind bars

or we going to live like a family

already

cuz you and you in jail and us two out

here you know Mom is probably a barely

making it you know what I'm

saying I used to get up in the middle of

the night to change your Pampers to you

pissed on me a couple of times you used

to cry and and I remember all of that I

remember the first words that came out

of your mouth was

Daddy I I didn't pass this year

cuz um there was one death after the

other and then you getting lacked up and

it was just like everything you know

just falling on me and but I would love

people to come out it's thinking who

they are in relationship to what they

had just

seen and start a negotiation not only

with the artwork but the public at large

you said that he's always fighting who I

am you everything where do I

stand I love you

Nelson very much aware that I'm that I

wanted to do is to provoke change not

only socially but physically and

spiritually let's get

you've um you've done public art

projects in barber shops in taxi cabs in

basketball courts is this the first time

you do a project within a domestic

setting no I I've worked in Santa

Barbara it was called state of

preservation it was about plastic and it

was about plastic I went with the whole

issue of the stereotypical imagery of

Latino family using plastic and I went

into this very open-minded family a very

wealthy family and we plastify the whole

house and they live like that for about

three three months every single precious

object was plastified and it was

incredible they were really open-minded

people home visits it's um Loosely

rooted in religious popular tradition of

the visiting Saint when I was a kid um

the we we were visited by the a niche of

a virgin of guadaloop sent by the

church and I thought what about the same

thing with Contemporary Art it almost

looks like there's flame in there like

there why can't Contemporary Art visit

one home after the other for the

week the idea of the new century it's

about a renewal for me I wanted to go

back and renew all the my mission My

Philosophy my way of looking at art and

I know there's something missing that I

wanted to find or create

again who's that in the front SAA that's

the

B telling a story telling the story of

how it happened the story is based on

Tina and her two daughters Tina lost her

house and all her possessions due to a

fire surely after it happened she put a

little blanket over the girl and you

know so there's a lot of stories inside

that the family told me I was intrigued

by the idea that I that I've gained so

much yet the possibility of losing it

all overnight so moving right along got

to take it to Another Place Another

opening I'm going to miss the house cuz

I've been here for a week and it's going

to feel funny having this space

opened since childhood I have felt that

somehow there is one piece amazing

um when I got to New York I I I I spoke

English but it wasn't good enough so

then I just felt that

somehow I

couldn't understand completely what was

going on but I got a picture of it but

it wasn't so good that it didn't get the

real picture of it and sometimes I feel

that I that I'm eternally you know

displaced that that I'm there but I'm

not right

there but I think that in in as an

artist I've been able to resolve one

thing to find my own

place I have a very clear

Mission I know exactly what I wanted to

do with my work and how my my

displacement somehow seems perfectly

fine for the people out there cuz there

are many of us in the same boat as I

am

fore