David Castillo Gallery Gets Profane and Twisted

Some words -- I love you and you won -- so beautifully alter the course of our lives that we wish we could enshrine them, bathe in them, and take them to bed at night. Others -- you're fired and it's over -- we'd like nothing more than to destroy,...

By Gabriela Garcia

September 20, 2010

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Some words -- I love you and you won -- so beautifully alter the course of our lives that we wish we could enshrine them, bathe in them, and take them to bed at night. Others -- you're fired and it's over -- we'd like nothing more than to destroy, mangle, and twist.

In the '60s, artists who understood the weighted power of words rescued them from placards and used them as art itself. Words became the medium -- one that could be deconstructed, superimposed, layered, and formed into shapes. "Profane Expressions," the current exhibit at David Castillo Gallery, brings to light the work of five artists who continue in this tradition.

"They're looking at figures, they're looking at colors, they're looking

at materials and medium," says Melissa Diaz, the assistant director.

"Well, the main mode of experience for these artists is text. It's the

message, the actual written word."

The exhibit includes a series of vinyl texts -- actual criticism of

artist Ernesto Leal's work - that raise questions about the evaluation

of meaning in art. Paintings and collage by Sandra Ceballos featuring

medieval human dissections transposed over handwritten political

speeches explore the power of speech and distorted meaning.

Hamlet

Lavastida's wall installation made up of 59 sheets of paper look at

psychological factors of media communication using found speeches.

Meanwhile, Ezequiel Suarez's work deals with advertising and political

slogans. Lastly, Yali Ramagoza presents an installation that surveys

fashion as communication of male power and identity.

"Profane Expressions" will be on display until October 2nd at David

Castillo Gallery (2234 NW Second Ave., Miami). Admission is free. The

gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and by

appointment. Call 305-573-8110 or visit davidcastillogallery.com.

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