Carlos Enrique Prado's Stubborn. Solo Show at MoCA-Americas. June / July 2024

As part of its ArtEd Connect program, the Museum of Contemporary Art of the Americas inaugurated the latest solo exhibition by the renowned artist, sculptor, ceramist, and professor Carlos Enrique Prado on June 14, 2024. This creator channels his creativity through the juxtaposition of recycled elements from art history that have played a crucial role in shaping Western cultural paradigms. These elements may include objects or motifs represented in earlier works of art or specific modes of artistic representation. By combining and recontextualizing these components, Prado initiates fresh dialogues about the prevailing legacy that has shaped our cultural values. He delves into the ongoing journey of his assimilation and resistance to inherited standards, offering a unique perspective shaped by his experiences as an immigrant.
Prado's work focuses on the recycling of emblematic representations of the human figure in art, particularly from the ancient Greco-Roman tradition, which has become integral to Western aesthetic paradigms. As a Cuban artist living in the United States, he often finds himself perceived as "the other," distanced from Western culture. However, from his perspective, he also views Western culture as "the other." When he incorporates Western European influences into his work, a peculiar sense of detachment allows him to strip them of their sacrality and imbue them with new meanings according to the appropriate context. For example, in the piece Void, the multiple fragmented images of the Discobolus are turned black, challenging the legacy of whiteness that has shaped our cultural values.
Carlos Enrique Prado has expanded his technical repertoire by integrating digital modeling and 3D clay printing techniques into his creative process. Digital modeling technology offers him greater artistic possibilities, such as the opportunity to incorporate and manipulate digital models made from original ancient works of art. It also allows him to design more complex compositions and assemblages while preserving the integrity of the quoted references. However, since all his works also require the use of more traditional manual techniques, the digital component becomes just another part of the artistic process. In summary, the work of this renowned artist aims to provoke critical reflection by inviting viewers to reconsider their perception of art and established social paradigms.
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