Behind The Garage Funk

The Charles H. Scott Gallery is proud to present an exhibition of new work by Mexican artist Rubén Ortiz-Torres. Now based in Los Angeles, Ortiz-Torres makes work about hybrid identity, exploring the cultural intersections between Mexico and the US. Employing a diverse array of artistic practices his work ruptures the distinctions between ‘low’ and ‘high’ art. Informed by lowrider culture where identity is played out through the extreme alteration of cars, Ortiz-Torres’ work employs customising techniques on a surprising range of objects. As part of a body of work about gardening as an area of employment open to Mexicans in Los Angeles, Ortiz-Torres has customised power tools used by gardeners. The exhibition at the Charles H. Scott Gallery includes a ride-on lawnmower that is customised with candy-coat paint, gold-plating and hydraulics that allow it to break apart, spin and dance in the tradition of lowrider cars. The exhibition also includes other sculptural works, photographs and paintings made with car paint and videos. Two 3D videos by the artist will also be screened in the gallery throughout the exhibitions run.

Opening performance by Low Rez Crimez, featuring Rubén Ortiz-Torres in conjunction with VJ Konstantinos Mavromichaelis, hydraulic engineer Chava Muñoz, mx programming by Owen Milburn, and music by Patrick Miller & David Semien.