Avila Turns Simple Objects into Works of Art.

At first glance, the works of Costa Rican artist Ricardo Ávila seem inoffensive, everyday. But his exhibition, ¿Cómo Vamos? (How Are We Doing?), is anything but simple.

Indeed, Ávila’s works, which are on display at the Galería Joaquín García Monge in the National Theater, brings together usual objects in an unusual fashion. Everyday trash, like toilet seats and used dinner utensils, are morphed into objects of importance, symbolically representing social themes. Ávila says that he hopes his art will provoke thought on the city, the press, and our intimate spaces.

As a self-taught artist, Ávila stands out most for his naïve paintings, which are characterized first and foremost by their beautiful simplicity. However, in this case, his search for beauty and self-expression led him to experiment with new methods, including photographs, ceramics, sculpture, engravings, and many other 3-D artistic methods.

The result of his work, ¿Cómo Vamos?, is a fine example of artistic versatility and intellectual thought. The exposition consists of a large installation of ten photomontages, a table, a chair, two toilets, five computer monitors, a television, two radios, and a computer mouse. These simple objects are used by many on an everyday basis, but through Ávila’s eyes, they have turned into a social commentary, designed to get us thinking.

With acrylic paint, Ávila has transformed each of these objects, expressing his thoughts and feelings about what happens in the city, and how it affects its inhabitants. One toilet has paintings of half-nude women, surrounded by rolling hills and a cloudy sky – a depiction of the Costa Rica Sex trade and the exploitation of female sexuality by the media. Another work is a childlike painting depicting downtown, with two houses, two cars, two trees, and a lot of smoke in between. Again, though it’s clear that the work comments on the city’s pollution problem, Ávila leaves the final interpretation up to each observer, allowing us to take away what we like from each of his paintings.

In each work, a clear thread of humor underlies each more serious problem, allowing for observers to feel comfortable in the face of artistically depicted social problems. In addition, the humor strives to mimic life by normalizing each issue, as constant repetition and knowledge of a problem often cause us to become accustomed to it, able to ignore it.

Speaking of oft-ignored problems, Ávila said, “For my works, I use objects that people normally throw out, to call attention to the lack of conscience that people have towards environmental contamination.” Though he focuses on several important, current social issues, the environment is a strong theme throughout his works, and he subtilely critiques our society of consumption in each work.

There are so many cultural offerings in San José, but Ávila’s work truly stands out as one of the most unique. Make time to see this accessible, but important art exhibition, which is open Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., until August 13 at the Galería Joaquín García Monge del Teatro Nacional.

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Filed under: Living on June 25th, 2008