Sixe Paredes and his ‘Futurismo Ancestral’ at Somerset House
London keeps surprising us. No two days are the same. And if, on top of that, we discover Barcelonian artists who have entered the most interesting artistic circles of London, we feel even better. This is the case of Sergio Hidalgo Paredes who works under the artistic name of Sixe Paredes.
I personally did not know his work before. His exhibition was an experience of colour that pays tribute to Peruvian and Andean aesthetics. During the week of May 21 to May 26, we could see his own vision of Peruvian culture in the neoclassical building of Somerset House.
Sixe’s approach towards the nature and ancient cultures, mainly Andean and Mesoamerican, marks a new direction in his work. He is now experimenting with different techniques, some as ancient as ceramics and tapestries, even though his artistic beginnings in the late 80’s were in graffiti paintings. For this reason, he was inspired by urban views, specifically the ones related to the melancholy caused by the city and to its popular social culture. However, he maintains his interest in environment, be that in the heart of civilisation or in the most remote place in the world. Faithful to developing Andean aesthetics, the artist links his work with the space that surrounds him via robust abstract sculptures, allowing visitors to walk around these pieces. This is exactly the case of large abstract sculptures full of colour that brought life to the underground spaces of Somerset House. However, the best example of maximum spatial expression related to nature are his totems in the Nazca Desert.
In this exhibition, we can see how the strength of colour and geometric shapes characteristic to Andean aesthetics are a feature in the work of Sixe Paredes, and we can admire it in tapestries, paintings, totems, quipus (a system of knotted strings used by the Incas to communicate and record information), masks and ceramics. The artist, attracted to minimalism, attempts to synthesise the Andean forms. Some abstract forms of colour seem psychedelic, connecting Western urban culture with ancient cultures full of magic and mysticism. His connection with the ancient world hasn’t made him forget his urban origin, though, and he is combining tradition with modernity. Sixe Paredes gives us a contemporary vision of the ancient world.
Along with the exhibition, there is an ongoing series of events, where we can enjoy Peruvian cuisine, attend screenings of Peruvian film, see a performance of the Royal Holloway Andean Band and a session of Perudo, an popular dice game of the Andes.
M.A.
SOMERSET HOUSE
Great Arch Hall
Lightwells & Deadhouse, South Wing
Somerset House, Strand, London, WC2R 1LA
Dates: 21 – 26 May 2014
