Alexander Apostol

Venezuela, b. 1969

Alexander Apóstol’s work explores connections between art, political texts, and socio-political events within the history of art and architecture. He focuses on Latin American politics and culture. Contrato Colectivo Cromosaturado (2012) is a video installation that reflects on Venezuela’s recent political history through colourful and vibrating kinetic art. In the wake of the 1973 oil crisis, the country, which was a member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), enjoyed a period of economic prosperity that was accompanied by a promise of democracy. Cinetismo, a Venezuelan form of optical kinetic art, rose to prominence at the same time – nationwide participation underpinned the ideologies of both politics and art movement. Apóstol marks this historical timeframe in six chapters, each of which represents a Venezuelan social class in a staged, theatrical way. One of the main locations for this film production was the Guri Dam in the east of the country, a massive concrete gravity dam whose interiors were commissioned in the 1970s to the kinetic master Carlos Cruz-Diez. 

Alexander Apóstol lives and works between Madrid and Caracas, Venezuela. His work comprises photographs, films, installations, and texts. Recent solo exhibitions include: Geometría, acción y souvenirs del discurso insurgente: Tucumán arde, MALBA, Buenos Aires (2017); and Yamaikaleter at CAPC Musée d’art Contemporain de Bordeaux, France (2015). His work has been presented in events such as Manifesta 9 (2013); the 54th Venice Biennale (2011), the Prague Biennial (2003 and 25); and the Cuenca Biennial (2004), among others.

(Text: 38th EVA International catalogue)