Oscar Perez
Our reality is based on the shaping of our of sensory information, but these tools have limitations, unable to capture the full spectrum of our surroundings. Add geographical and cultural differences to the equation and an uncomfortable picture begins to emerge; our belief system, which is what we base our lives on and how we view the world, is, in fact, probably false. As unnerving as that may be for many people, I find it liberating and I try to convey that sense of the infinite and the power of this freedom through my work.
Absurdity, chance, quantum physics, and the unknown are what drive my work, whether it be through videos, photos, drawings, sculptures, micro controllers or installations. Through the questioning of our assumptions, such as our perception of scale, time, and vision, my work attempts to further the artistic discourse and gain a greater understanding of our humanity as well as our place in the universe.
Tiralo Gift Box, Gasoline, wood, satin, cotton, glass, cork & brass, 10.5″ x 3.5″ x 14″, 2008
This is a Molotov Cocktail gift box done in the style of wine gift box sets that are sold in wine retailers. The piece consists of an elegant bottle of gasoline sealed off with a cork, an engraved brass Zippo lighter, and a 1000 thread count Egyptian cotton sash (which gets wrapped around the bottle and lit before the bottle gets thrown). The objects lay on a red satin bed, which is encased in an engraved and stained hardwood box.
Tiralo Six Pack (Proletariat version), Gasoline, wood, cotton & glass,9″ x 12″ x 14″, 2008
Civic Duty, Marble, metal & plastic, 12″ x 36″, 2008
This sculpture has the names of specific massacres and their corresponding dates engraved on the bases of the trophies. The height of each trophy corresponds to the massacre’s severity, therefore the taller the trophy, the larger the death toll.
I Always Cheer For the Bull, Resin, wood and lead, 10″ x 5″, 2010
I Always Cheer for the Bull could be mistaken for part of an elaborate desk set, yet it resonates with pathos so that it embodies larger struggles against injustice and despair.
Oscar Perez is an award winning filmmaker, media artist, and commercial Production Designer, as well as the creator of Pink Bubble Bath – the sexy film festival. Having lived and worked in NYC and LA, Oscar now resides in Miami. Currently, Oscar is a candidate for a Masters in Fine Arts from Florida State University.