CERCA SERIES: DARIO ROBLETO
MCASD DOWNTOWN JULY 11 THROUGH AUGUST 24, 2003
 PHOTO CREDIT: DARIO ROBLETO: THE DIVA SURGERY (DETAIL), 2001-2002, MIXED MEDIA, 77 X 81 X 56 INCHES, COLLECTION MCASD, INTERNATIONAL AND CONTEMPORARY COLLECTORS PURCHASE. |
Dario Robleto explores the fetishism surrounding vinyl records by shredding, melting, and molding albums into objects that refer back to the songs from which they are made. Robleto's Cerca Series exhibition builds around his major installation The Diva Surgery, which is the artist's failed attempt to recreate a perfect diva from bits and pieces of other divas. Part laboratory, and part dressing table, The Diva Surgery is crowded with an assortment of jars and beakers. Like a contemporary alchemist, Robleto uses not only vinyl and audio tape, but amino acids, Novocain, honey, and hummingbird nectar, to form manifestations of musical terms such as "Low End Boom," "Honey Vocals," and "Sing Me to Sleep Mix." His physical transformation of materials captures the essences and permutations of soul, gender, memory, and rock and roll.
Cerca Series: Dario Robleto is made possible by an anonymous gift. Additional support for Cerca Series comes from the City of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture.