b-inspired Artists
Pet robots & other fantasies
Tocho Vazquez
The fantastic world of robots is the inspiration for multi-disciplinary artist Tocho Vazquez in creating a series of toy-like sculptures. Organised into families of figurines that are crafted from artefacts collected at markets or simply found they represent specific interests that the artist is concerned with. The retro-futuristic look references the B Movies and comics belonging to a time when everyone was optimistic about technology, rather than today where perhaps the opposite is true. Some of the pieces are static, others have moving elements, they range in size from tiny to knee high, but all share a quirky sense of playful whimsy. Face pareidolia is the term used for identifying the human face within inanimate objects, which is beautifully expressed by these figurines that look as it they could at any minute have an autonomous life of their own.
Tocho Vazquez is also a Dj, his interests in the virtual and physical come together at his studio in Barcelona’s Raval neighbourhood which also serves as his workshop. A laboratory of sounds, materials, tools, electronics and spare parts, all of which get re-imagined into characterful sculptures that all have a back story forged in Vazquez imagination. The families of robots he creates are drawn from a childhood fascination with Science Fiction and are translated into graphic works featuring portraits and mise-en-scenes. Decorative objects, works of art, or toys the interpretations are deliberately opened ended, but above all else perhaps giving technology a friendly face again.
