Questioning Images
Artist Ruben Torres Llorca’s Easy to Build not so Easy to Understand

By Gretel Sarmiento

	Guests at the opening night reception of Easy to Build, now on display at the Frost Art Museum

One step inside and there, immediately, the first confrontation: left or right? Either entrance of the gallery promises a world of questioning, conflicts and discovery, with this one being just the first of many questions and decisions that Ruben Torres Llorca’s pieces inspire.

Currently exhibiting at The Patricia & Phillip Art Frost Museum, Easy To Build consists of a site–specific installation of old objects combined with recently created ones. Each contains a variety of medium—paper, wood, fabric—inviting you to find the solution to a particular problem.

“I provide you with the images. You deal with it. You make what you want,” says Llorca.

The objects and figures touch upon problems of daily life, politics, culture and force the viewer to think about them and find the solution before moving on to the next step of the journey. But, contrary to artists who like to impose their vision, Llorca refuses to help his audience through the discovery process, giving them freedom to decide, simply because: “The reason of the artist has nothing to do with the spectator.”

Though his silence and lack of explanation might be cruel, Llorca rather leaves it up to the viewer—only he/she is responsible for deciphering the meaning. Because of this, many walk away puzzled and still wondering what the hung up yellow dresses or the American Kamikaze, surrounded by words like taxes, insurance, inflation, and mortgage, mean. Those who make an effort to understand the work or spend time enough in front of the image, letting it confuse them and take them over, walk away knowing why Llorca prefers not to intervene and they are grateful for that freedom he gives them.

“I’m no one to tell people how life is,” he says. Many would disagree.

"Make Your Mother Proud" part of Easy to Build, on display through March 19

The 48-year-old Cuban artist was already well known in Cuba when he came to the United States in 1993 to continue producing his art. Every day, after dropping his kids at school and having his daily coffee and toast, the creative process begins. He describes hi apartment as more like a studio—big windows and a bed—turns into the place where individual pieces of cloth and wood come together and are adorned with ropes and paint at the rhythm of jazz and world music.

“I’m always working,” he says, and solving his own problems is not a problem. The artist sees in art more than a way of survival. “Creating art is like my therapy.”

But his modesty and evident accent shouldn’t be mistaken for a lack of vision and purpose. In fact, he has a strong message and a story to tell with his work.

“A murder is being made,” Llorca says. “Art is dead, the only important thing is the market.” And almost giving away what he’s promised not to reveal, he adds, “I want people to leave here with a sense of loss. Something important is lost, in this case, art.”

It’s possible to see some of his thoughts reflected on his work. “The last chapter of the history of art will be written by bankers,” “Have you seen this person?” and “You haven’t looked at me that way in years” are some of the phrases accompanying his objects. On them, the sarcasm and reality hit the spectator and starts creating an effect on them; engaging them on a battle of wondering, questioning and solving. His piece might not appeal to everyone, and though many admire his vision and peculiarity, others might just appreciate the humor.

Whether it was right or left what a visitor chose, at the end of a journey of objects, portraits, and drawings posing against the while walls, there’s that final message he wants his audience to get.

“Hansel and Gretel were abandoned by their parents,” Llorca says. End of the story.”

	"Mode Para Amar" part of Ruben Torres Llorca’s installation, Easy to Build

Once again, a reality not all are happy to accept, but those familiar with his work can certainly expect.

“We are adults. We don’t need a happy ending,” he says.

And with that simplicity of words that come out through his pieces, Llorca presents his audience with a big truth he hopes they can handle.

Ruben Torres Llorca’s exhibit, Easy To Build, will be on display through March 19 at the Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum at Florida International University, located in PC110 in the Charles Perry building, SW 107th Ave and 8th St. at FIU, University Park campus. All museum events are free and open to the public. On March 1 at 7 p.m., Llorca will lead a gallery walk through the exhibition and an informal discussion about his work and the process behind the creation this installation. For more information please visit www.FrostArtMuseum.org.