Enrique Ježik exhibits hostile objects and drawings in Acapulco 62

A hostile land of physical and drawn barriers welcomes those who visit the exhibition of the multidisciplinary artist Enrique Ježik (Córdoba, Argentina, 1961) at the Acapulco 62 gallery. Reach hostile terrain, exhibition curated by Virgina Roy, the drawings made on razor wire with the technique of rubbing, and an installation made with nine sculptures, u hostile objectswhich prevent fluid circulation through the small premises.

Based in Mexico since 1990, Ježik’s practice has been characterized by the analysis of violence, power and surveillance systems in current geopolitics, Roy writes. Hence his interest in working on barriers, limits, borders and the physical means with which they are defined. At one point he turned his gaze toward the razor wire, sinister inventionsuccessor to barbed wire, designed to stop people and do harmwith which he had already worked in the format of performance.

Dangerous and sharp art

Best known for its facilities and performances involving gigantic machinery, Ježik does not frequently exhibit his drawing work.

Given the small size of the gallery, and faced with the challenge of exhibiting in a place tinychose to bring to light a series on the theme of wires, started in 2020 and resumed in 2024. To do so, he worked with the technique of rubbing on razor wire.

Explains: I spread some rolls of razor wire on a table, put the paper on top and rub it with a graphite stick with wax, which produces a deep black. From the beginning I liked it because it became a very performative work. It involves significant physical effort. I have to be careful (wear gloves to avoid cutting your hands), because it is a dangerous and sharp material. The paper gets punctured and torn, but it’s part of the process. I do not hide the breaks, it is not possible, rather I apply a transparent adhesive tape on the back so that it does not continue to break..

Stroke and reflection

Ježik likes to draw like a practical reflection toolalthough at the same time helps me reflect on the issues that concern me and that I work on.

The drawings exhibited at Acapulco 62 are usually large format, with the idea that It looks like a space invasion. That is to say, that they feel physicallyinstead of just being a small contemplation element.

The nine hostile objectsmade of industrial porcelain and steel that make up the sculptural installation, obstruct traffic in the gallery, although not the view of the drawings. With them the issue of barriers is taken up.

Among Ježik’s first visual references are the famous puncture tires, as they are called in Mexico, designed to stop vehicles. There are three irons that have points. When thrown to the ground, one point always remains on top due to the shape of the structure..

The body of the piece is actually an insulator used to separate high voltage cables. HE adorn with very sharp circular fins. “His name, hostile object, It is because they are pure hostility; I have cut myself several times, which brings us back to the topic of barriers and what man creates to harm himself.”

At first, Ježik was not interested in reflecting the initial function of the object; that is, isolating the electricity. However, talking about isolation brought back the original idea of ​​a barrier.

The exhibition Reach hostile terrain, by Enrique Ježik, concludes today at the Acapulco 62 gallery (Dr. Atl 217, Santa María la Ribera neighborhood).