Luis

With »Luis« we are confronted with a figure whose (hyper)realism approaches a pain barrier. The life-size figure by the Spanish artist Enrique Martin is displayed in its unprotected nudity, its bulky body both expansive and vulnerable. As we encounter »Luis« at eye level, without a pedestal, the sculpture’s potential to disturb is all the more intense.

Marty frequently uses live models, making casts of their body parts, which he works on at a later stage without beautifying the figures. The deceptively real appearance of the body, produced through the use of synthetic materials and human hair—a technique Marty learned from a taxidermist—contributes to our sense of unease and alienation.

The Spanish artist consciously plays with the emotions of the viewer. »Luis« evokes feelings of disgust and revulsion, but also pity and shock, whereas his actual drama is only hinted at. Why is Luis crying? Why does he appear to be injured? What has happened to him? Or: What has he done? Marty shows people in their animality, exploring the existential depths without making any concessions to the feelings of the viewer.