STAGING
I am unable to think of just one way of conceiving my work, therefore I face the same difficulty when trying to speak of it. There is however, a recurring concept in my work, which is the question of perception. This question manifests itself fundamentally through "perceptual metaphors” such as anamorphosis. I also explore the question of perception as it sporadically takes on both the variations formally developed in the optical-based movements of contemporary art, as well as, the visual crudeness of photographic objectivism. For me, visual perception is the initial stage of a reflexive act, but, in the explosion of the mass media, it is very difficult to find a way to overcome the state of inertia produced by the excesses of current generalized means of visual production. Most modern visual production cries out to be seen, to draw attention to itself. The result is state of confusion—an opposing effect. I seek to explore means of viewing that are more reflexive, more critical, and that would, in the end, allow us a more active participation as spectators. The use of perceptive metaphors allows me to deconstruct the mechanisms of perception, and to allow the viewer to enter into a critical dialogue with the spaces I create.

Augusto Zanela
2007