Full of heart
By Francisca Balmaceda, April 27, 2007

Art Exhibit

“Not a Lifesaving Device” Works by Diego Larrain and Francisca Balmaceda Mon–Fri, 11am–6pm, Until April 30 Sat, 11am–4pm Galería/Atelier Fábrica la Aurora

We would like to cordially invite everyone to visit Galeria/Atelier and enjoy the colors of Mexico. During April at the Fábrica la Aurora, you will find original paintings, sculptures and original jewelry designs all relating to the beauty and mystery of Mexico.

With this exhibit we issue a call to action, an awakening of conscience and a call to take life with the seriousness and humor it deserves. On the one hand, our exhibit addresses the tendency we have observed not only in this town but throughout the world to favor plastic objects mass-produced in China over unique handmade products produced locally by talented, creative Mexican artisans. Today, if you go to the Jardín, you will see colorful, attractive plastic products made in a foreign land, when previously the vendors sold beautiful handmade toys. A similar change is noticeable in public spaces. Previously the majority of buildings were temples, churches and cathedrals where people cultivated their spiritual lives; today commercial centers have taken on this role. Every day in San Miguel, new spaces of modern life appear and people flock to them. People almost seem to be drawn to them in worship. It seems the focus of adoration and human priorities is changing radically. Probably there is no other way, as this is how life flows and transforms itself, which is why it is important to keep an open mind and acknowledge that many things are being lost forever to change. We, as citizens, should just be aware that this type of life—however attractive it may appear—is not a lifesaving device.

Another important aspect of this exhibit is its sense of humor, illustrating that in the end life is a game and it is better to not fear it but to play with it as a child would. This is how the images of the exhibit took shape—images easily associated with cartoons that appear on television and such. When you change the channel, you will see the images are often repeated; images of flat colors and contrasts that allude to the world of publicity which is more invasive every day. This makes the exhibit not only a criticism of the priorities of the modern world but illustrates the game, how life really is. In this exhibit the game is laid out amidst colorfully explosive contrasting images: the artisan crafts and the plastic toys, the churches and the postmodern building of commerce, a very lively and colorful town like San Miguel and another much more frigid world that it could become. The sculptures each contain a heart, except for one whose title indicates that it needs one, “Esta Madera Necesita un Corazón.” 
They stand in the room amidst the painted images as representations of us, the artists, and you, the spectators, to enjoy and to encourage you to use your heart to make judgments and choices. We recommend you bring your children as they will enjoy our work as much as you will.