Spanish artist Alejandro Boloix explores the atmosphere of the El Tubo neighborhood in Zaragoza, Spain in this etching-engraving series titled, 'El Tubo Y el Plata.' In this work, he focuses most closely on an important feature of El Tubo neighboorhood, the cabaret El Plata.
The series conveys an undeniable sense of texture and tangibility. This is no doubt due in part to the technique Alejandro Boloix uses, etching-engraving. Still, the visceral appeal of his work can also be credited to the artist's style, voice and subject; all of these aspects are very much in the expressionist tradition and so lend themselves well to a visceral experience.
Looking at the characters Alejandro Boloix populates El Tubo with, one gets a sense of their essential natures: furtive, worldly, somewhat debauched and certainly human. One can almost smell the cigarette smoke and taste the wine.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Expressive Etching-engravings
- A trend in the art world for using etching-engraving techniques to create tangible, expressive pieces of work.
- Neighborhood Atmosphere Exploration
- A trend for artists to explore and depict the atmosphere and character of specific neighborhoods in their work.
- Visceral Character Portrayal
- A trend for artists to create work that conveys a sense of visceral appeal to the viewer.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Fine Art
- Artists can innovate in the fine art industry by exploring new techniques and subject matter to create work that is both visually and emotionally engaging.
- Tourism
- Cities and neighborhoods can benefit from art that depicts the local atmosphere and character, as it can attract tourists and showcase the unique aspects of a location.
- Alcohol and Tobacco
- Companies in the alcohol and tobacco industry can collaborate with artists to create marketing campaigns that evoke the sensory experience of their products through visual art.
