If someone asks you what does that art mean, or what is it saying…. Each viewer can have a different idea about what the art means. No one is wrong. Your opinion is always acceptable. An artist can tell you what the art means to them in an artist statement.

An artist statement is an explanation given by an artist about their work. An artist statement usually informs the reader about; 1.Materials 2.Process 3.Purpose/Meaning 4.Inspiration

An artistic duo called Guerro De La Paz communicate about the consume-and-discard nature of our mass- produced lifestyles through their art and artist statements. “Our habits of consumption put us so very far away from the creation of the items we use– and just as far away from the piles of trash they become. Guerra De La Paz doesn’t see trash, in this sense, but an opportunity for artistic beauty and expression.” -from an interview with Guerra de la Paz given by Louise Kissa on June 4, /bw5bCLcT1J4/s1600-h/CM_Guerra+de+la+Paz-6_2009.jpg

Guerra de la Paz were born in Cuban Now they live in Florida. They have blended their names, Alain Guerra and Neraldo de la Paz to create the name, Guerra de la Paz. Guerra de la Paz means “War of the Peace”. AlainNeraldo

This is one of Guerra de la Paz’s artworks. It is called Tribute

What materials do you think this work is made out of?

Guerra de la Paz used clothes to create Tribute “Tribute’s evolution, on the other hand, is a stark contrast, in that it is made entirely of cast-offs that it has taken over ten years to collect, and to sort the clothing to correlate with the colours of the spectrum. The individual items were gathered from piles of discarded garments waiting to be taken away in dumpsters for landfill.” –From an interview with Sublime magazine 2011, R. Yearwood Watch Tribute being created, A video by Julian Navarro and Keith Schweitzer for No Longer Empty

Art vs. Nonart What is the difference? Which one should go in an art gallery, Why?

Daphne, 2008 Book 3 Cost $48, Guerra de la Paz sort fabrics by colors, then knot them together. Most of their sculptures have a metal frame under the fabric

Oasis, 2006 Book 3

Lets read about Guerra de la Paz Let’s see some cool Bonsai trees (a Bonsai is a mini-tree) that Guerra de la Paz made from people’s trash, click on this link.

Bonsai, 2006 Book 6

Eden, 2003 Book 3

Atomic, 2009 Spring, 2003 Winter, 2003Fall, 2003 Summer, h/art_nexus_GuerradelaPazotherworld_ENG_web.jpg

“Indradhanus” 2008, Book Translation/means “Rainbow ” REPURPOSEREPURPOSE

player_embedded#at=19 A view of the main room installation for the exhibition, Beyond the Daily Life, curated by Julian Navarro at The Center for Visual Communications, Miami, FL

Final Thoughts from Guerra de la Paz We feel it is of the utmost importance to have respect for the earth and to protect all that nature provides to make life possible. In this day and age, it seems as though our time on the planet may be running out unless we re- evaluate our priorities as a society, and find a balance where civilization can continue moving forward, or pay the consequences for going too far. Our work comments on both mass production and consumption just by the fact that our material of choice is what it is. It exposes the waste that is generated with the bountiful amounts of apparel we use (which doesn’t even scratch the surface of what is hauled away on a daily basis), and can serve as an example of how we can turn our trash into something meaningful, or a thing of beauty.” –From an interview with Sublime magazine 2011, R. Yearwood

Questions? 1.What materials do Guerra de la Paz use and where do they get the materials? 2.How do Guerra de la Paz tell people about their art, it’s meaning and purpose?

Artist Statement & Artwork Titles Guerra de la Paz have created some amazing sculptures. Their statements and explanations allow us, as viewers, to better understand their intent/purpose. Lets create titles and artist statements for works of art you previously created.

Your artist statement should include the four parts listed below and it should be written as a paragraph. 1.Materials used 2.Artistic process; first I did this, then 3.Explain the purpose and/or meaning 4.What inspired you to make this project (to not write the teacher, instead talk about the background knowledge, who/what did you learn while/prior to making this) Note: If you would like to you can add what you like(d) best about the project.