OSCAR CENZANO

OSCAR CENZANO

oscar_cenzano_artista_kilometro_del_arte_ventosa_la_rioja

Óscar Cenzano Carrillo
Born in La Rioja in 1954. I began my apprenticeship at the School of Arts and Artistic Trades (now ESDIR), in the drawing, modelling and casting classes from 1973-1980, training in figurative art. I have participated in numerous exhibitions, both individual and collective, as well as interventions in land art.

Several museums, foundations and private collections exhibit my work.

I have created more than twenty sculptures in public spaces. These include Mujeres de Negro (Women in Black), Lardero (La Rioja) 2011. Los Cuatro Elementos (The Four Elements) group of sculptures. Arrúbal (La Rioja) 2011.

Mujer con Cántaro (Woman with Pitcher), Navarrete (La Rioja) 2005. Altarpiece of the Church of the Holy Spirit, Logroño, 2005. Camino de Santiago group of sculptures, Logroño, 2004. Los siete infantes de Lara (The Seven Princesses from Lara) sculpture in a plaza in Logroño, 1996. Liberpaz, Plaza de la Constitución, Calahorra (La Rioja) 1993.

Project.

January 2021. Ricardo Velasco, Mayor of Ventosa, and Marina Pascual, Coordinator of “1 Km de Arte”, visited my studio to ask me to create a sculpture for the town of Ventosa that pays homage to the “traders”, which used to be something that many people from Ventosa did to earn a living in the past. By way of information, they provided me with texts and documentation on this profession, so that I could submit two projects, one of which would be chosen by popular vote.

I had a second meeting, this time in the town with its residents. Using a video projected in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, I showed them the steps involved in creating a sculpture, processes that I had already followed in my past work.

A third meeting at the end of November was an event organised by Marina Pascual, where I held a workshop on textures in clay for children and presented the two projects: Lechonero sentado con cochino (Piglet Dealer Sitting with Pig) and Lechonero de pie con cochino (Piglet Dealer Standing with Pig), the latter of which was ultimately chosen.

Process.

There are several different processes involved in creating a sculpture (modelling, casting and pouring). The first step is the modelling of the sculpture, the most creative part, which is supported by a sufficiently sturdy platform. I build the framework (iron and mesh), that will support the weight of the modelling clay and subsequent moulds.

Casting. Once I finish the modelling, I make the moulds, which in this case are made out of rubber on the clay model. I divide the sculpture into six parts, fitting them with separating sheets, which I fill with the compound (liquid rubber, catalysed and thixotropic). These moulds make a negative reproduction of the sculpture.

Since the rubber is flexible, it is easy to remove from the mould, but it has to be reinforced with a plaster counter-mould to make it firmer.

The moulds are the same as those used in the foundry, where a bronze reproduction is made, with the final patina.

Inauguration.

The sculpture called “El Tratante” (The Trader) was inaugurated during the celebrations of the Virgen Blanca festival, on 2 July. Installed in the Plaza de Ayuntamiento, the unveiling was attended by neighbours and authorities; the Councillor of Finance, Celso González; the Director of Culture, Ana Zabalegui; and the Mayor of Ventosa, Ricardo Velasco. The sculpture was warmly received and liked by those in attendance, becoming an additional part of the 1 Km de Arte in Ventosa.

Video Transcript
“…pays homage to the “traders”, which used to be something that many people from Ventosa did to earn a living in the past.”