Mexico, an art critic destroys a work. It is as if the work had listened to my comments

The Zona Maco - México Arte Contemporáneo 2020 art fair was held in Mexico City from February 5 to 9, 2020, and during the course of the fair, art critic Avelina Lésper accidentally destroyed an artwork by Mexican contemporary artist Gabriel Rico (Lagos de Moreno, Mexico, 1980).

The artwork in question was Nimble and sinister ticks (To be preserved without scandal and corruption) I, consisting mostly of glass, and had been exhibited by Galería OMR. In addition to glass, the sculpture featured a tennis ball, a knife, a feather, a soccer ball, and a long twig, all embedded in very thin glass.

Gabriel Rico’s works in fact combine natural and man-made objects to create sculptures and installations that invite viewers to reflect on the juxtaposition of the different elements that compose them. His aim is to deconstruct and recontextualize objects to create works of art whose individual parts represent the fragmentary condition of contemporary man and the geometric imperfection of nature.

Art critic Lésper claims she accidentally broke the work, valued at $20,000, after placing an empty can next to it.

The gallery called the critic’s behavior “disrespectful and unprofessional.” It added, “Getting too close in order to place a soda can and taking a photo to criticize the work undoubtedly caused the destruction.” Lésper continues to maintain that it was an accident, later stating in a video published by Milenio, “It was as if the work had listened to my comments and heard what I was thinking.”

Pictured is Gabriel Rico’s work in pieces Ph.Credit Paveleguez

Mexico, an art critic destroys a work. It is as if the work had listened to my comments

Warning: the translation into English of the original Italian article was created using automatic tools. We undertake to review all articles, but we do not guarantee the total absence of inaccuracies in the translation due to the program. You can find the original by clicking on the ITA button. If you find any mistake,please contact us.