José Luis Martinat: The Future Is Running

From an analysis of Peruvian electoral slogans since the early twentieth century until today, José Luis Martinat creates a series of sound pieces, graphics, textiles, as objects that reproduce phrases, that as a way promises there are repeated again and again by the Peruvian politicians.

The artist reflects based on texts by Friedrich Nietzsche. The German philosopher points out that the ability to promise and keep a promise is something that differentiates humans from animals. Therefore it states that humans are animals with the ability to promise.

The artist has succeeded in synthesizing the slogans on keywords, and plays with his antithesis as if seeking for the true message in its reflection. Embodied in a circular embroidery handmade by the same craftsmen who make the presidential bands since 1995 – over industrial plastics. Setting the drama between hand labor and mass production. Other pieces are the result of this dialectical game.

It is in one of those pieces were his purpose becomes more apparent, a vinyl record, which gathers 50 slogans, political promises of a better future. Every promise is repeated ad infinitum, like a drill that seeks to penetrate into our unconsciousness. Eternally spinning with no direction at all.

More than a feeling of disappointment, it is, perhaps, a call to reflection, to the individual efforts, in opposition to social inaction, expecting that their political leaders are exclusively responsible for their awaiting future.