Pablo Bobbio, Registro (detail)

Interview: Pablo Bobbio

Pablo Bobbio and Luca Curci’s conversation about MORPHOS Festival.

Pablo Bobbio is a psychologist, visual artist, photographer, art critic and consultant. Official Representant of the Accademia Carrara di Belle Arti in Bergamo, he has taught different courses and seminars. Pablo was the founder and director of the Experimental Center for Artistic Formation in Buenos Aires and the BE Center for Expressive and Transformational Studies in Houston. Currently he is the director of TAO Therapy and Art Organization, these centers are dedicated to the research of human language through art and psychology.

Pablo Bobbio, La Caida (detail)

Luca Curci – Your work has just been exhibited during MORPHOS – Sustainable Empires in Venice: can you talk about your personal experience in Venice with International ArtExpo?

Pablo Bobbio – It was a good experience. I would have liked to be there in person and thus have a better formed opinion about show organization and how the art work was displayed. I would have liked to attend and have the opportunity to meet the organizers and other colleagues and exchange views about the art work exhibited. I would like to emphasize that this exhibition has opened connections through internet for future endeavors.

Pablo Bobbio, Guardianes del fuego final (detail)

L. C. – Can you talk about the artwork you presented in Venice? How is it linked with the festival’s theme?

P. B. – The function of art in the present time and in any of its manifestations is point at what you do not see or do not want to see. Without any intention of falling into a pamphlet complaint or partisan politics, the work that was selected for this exhibition, intend to signal the decline of the human species, through its more serious illnesses: war, repression, violence, and destruction of life as represented in the work: “The guardians of the (last) fire”. The other piece, called “Pipes” symbolizes a relentless critique of the environmental destruction.

Pablo Bobbio, Chimeneas (detail)

L. C. –  What are you currently working on?

P. B. – Project on the death penalty in the world, called:  “20 in and 20 out.” It contains photos and handwritten letters of 20 inmates who were found innocent shortly before their execution date (after spending several years in the “death row “) and 20 other inmates, who are still on death roll awaiting their execution date

L. C. –  What is art for you?

P. B. – Art is a lifestyle. One lives artistically and also “produce things.”
I believe that any  art work  that does not join with the human spirit, which does not disturb, delight, surprise, irritate, disturb or bother, it  is not art.

Pablo Bobbio, Protesters (detail)

L. C. –  What do you think about International ArtExpo organization?

P. B. – I would like to suggest the creation of a catalog or a book containing information about all exhibitions that have been organized. It would also be a good idea to encourage the participation of Latin American countries which demonstrate a level of excellent and unique creativity.

L. C. –  Do you think International ArtExpo organization can represent an opportunity for artists?

P. B. – Absolutely, I believe the exhibition should continue, regardless of the results.