Pedro Torres-Aponte

ENTRE CLAVOS

a visual presentation by pedro torres

My work in this exhibition centers around mental health disorders and the vices surrounding substance abuse. Mental health is a concept that has been entirely relevant for the grand majority of humankind’s years: the study of the mind is something that has evolved greatly. Now, with societies adapting to technology and the presence of social media, mental stability has been put on a pedestal: Social media use has decreased, disrupted, and delayed sleep, which is associated with depression, memory loss, and poor academic performance; in addition, the talks regarding mental health have skyrocketed as digital community boards like Twitter explore the liabilities technology has had on human beings. With these issues come disorders, which are often a result of a great array of external factors. One of these could be considered to be the abuse of substances. Substance/drug abuse is, at first, seen as an escape from the constrictions of reality. However, over time, it tends to destroy the host and the lives around them. In this exhibition, I have explored how different types of mental health disorders correlate to substance abuse; furthermore, I established a connection between these two concepts, creating a story within every work of art that holds the purpose to captivate the audience. My initial inspiration for this exhibition was the relevancy of mental health amidst the explosion of social media usage. Researching this topic captivated me, as I grew to learn that vices like hardcore substance abuse hold a correlation with mental disorders. Alongside this, seeing these vices in family members was also a contributor to this exhibition, as I have had a personal connection to exploring such sensitive topics.

The artworks I have selected for this exhibition interpret different types of drug abuse whilst capturing the mental state behind every individual. By doing this, I managed to create a story within each piece that will unfold differently in every viewer’s mind. Furthermore, the structuring of the exhibition itself plays a large role in generating interpretation, as the order in which every piece is viewed is relevant to the digestion of the overall message. This ties into the first three pieces of the exhibition: FELIZ, ENTUMECIDO, and ALMA VACíA. These three paintings are all resemblant of swinging through different emotions in relation to the different drugs they are abusing. They represent the transitions from happy, neutral, and chaotic states of mind while being under the influence. The next three pieces of the exhibition delve into more chaotic mental scopes: MUDDLED, THE EIGHTH GATE, and ALTERS. While these paintings delve into extreme interpretations surrounding disorders like Schizophrenia, they were not created with the intention of portraying drug abuse. Nevertheless, the audience might align each painting, through interpretation, to a specific type of drug. The next three paintings are different portraits representing substance abuse in a clear manner: NOSE CANDY, BEAN, and SCATTERBRAIN are glorified representations of what it means to suffer through mental battles and drug usage. They explode in color and serve the purpose of giving the exhibition life. The last piece of this show is a 3D model representing one of the symbols that is highly prevalent in my work, which is the mouth with screws, implying the ingrained vices in troubled individuals: TRABALENGUA. This piece is extravagant and utilizes bold colors to invite an audience from several different angles. It is the culmination of my exhibition and provides a captivating visual representation of an unusual sight. As the artist behind this show, I believe that it is the perfect creative end to what seems to be a rather dark experience. The simplicity yet intricate details behind the sculpture are what makes this such an essential piece, as it brings every concept together through a conspicuous visual.

ENTRE CLAVOS is a storytelling experience that encapsulates the struggles and long-term effects of substance abuse in addition to living with mental issues. Each piece tells a different experience; but in the end, it all comes together to form an intriguing display.