On the basis of a conception of art as research, Erick Beltrán ingeniously analyzes and theorizes the relationship between language and knowledge. His practice centers on building cognitive theories of the creation of worlds. On the basis of an intuitive approach and concentration on scientific theorems, he designs explanatory models using graphic diagrams, system of reproduction, archive devices, collections of graphic media and topologic models. These complex formats for scrutiny demonstrate theories and mental maps of power relations and symbols, the movement of objects and their surplus value, metaphysical reasoning and truth, as well as probability patterns applied to social and historical flows. In the field of aesthetic production, Beltrán’s research finds the possibility of creating multidirectional theories sometimes akin to the history of science and sometimes to political philosophy, metaphysics or mysticism. These are unlikely blends of rational models and in- explicable or ungraspable objects of study where the artist as systematic researcher reveals subjective hypotheses that are difficult to categorize. Generally speaking, Beltrán’s work emulates the history of knowledge as it engages in a corrective dynamic in relation to our descriptions of the world.*
Erick Beltrán (Mexico City, 1974) analyzes and reflects on discourse constructions and transhistorical knowledge formats. He investigates the power that the different graphic means exert in their information distribution, as well as explicit treatment on different conducts and values. He works with diverse formats such as the multiple or the book, installation and lecture-performance. Through these mediums he experiments with the link between public art and the various graphic languages. The archive, the museum and the library are tools and natural means in this investigation process. Recent work has been exhibited at MACBA (Barcelona), Qalandia International (Palestine), Taipei Biennial 2012 (Taipei), CCA Wattis Institute for Contemporary Arts (San Francisco), The Tropenmuseum (Amsterdam), Museo Tamayo (Mexico City), Manifesta 8 (Murcia), among others. Beltrán lives and works in Barcelona and Mexico CityErick Beltrán (Mexico City, 1974) analyzes and reflects on discourse constructions and historical knowledge formats. He investigates the power that the different graphic means exert in their information distribution, as well as explicit treatment on different conducts and values. Recent work has been exhibited at MACBA (Barcelona), Qalandia International (Palestine), Taipei Biennial 2012 (Taipei), CCA Wattis Institute for Contemporary Arts (San Francisco), The Tropenmuseum (Amsterdam), Museo Tamayo (Mexico City), Manifesta 8 (Murcia), among others.
The text was written by Willy Kautz for the exhibition Antes que todo.