rodolfosalgadojr

Drip, drip, drip! The familiar feeling of warm blood running out of my nose, down my lip, and upon the surrounding surfaces intrigues me. Throughout my lifetime I have experienced hundreds of nosebleeds and thousands of drops. Saliva fills my mouth, sweat gathers on my forehead, my stomach begins to move. Although most people find these situations discomforting, these experiences are relatively common in my life. These actions are uncomfortable, yet they truly fascinate me. My body is physically rejecting what's inside, my bodily fluids.

Drip, drip, drip! The familiar feeling of warm blood running out of my nose, down my lip, and upon the surrounding surfaces intrigues me. Throughout my lifetime I have experienced hundreds of nosebleeds and thousands of drops. Saliva fills my mouth, sweat gathers on my forehead, my stomach begins to move. Although most people find these situations discomforting, these experiences are relatively common in my life. These actions are uncomfortable, yet they truly fascinate me. My body is physically rejecting what's inside, my bodily fluids.

My recent work explores my broad interests in fluids, specifically bodily fluids. Typically 60% to 85% of our bodies are made up of fluids which we continuously ingest and excrete. Although my work deals with the unpleasant qualities of liquids, some being utterly disgusting, I am also intrigued by the beauty and serenity that these fluids have. During sexual intercourse, our fluids are pleasurable, and they have the potential to create new life, while at the same time they could be disease ridden. My images combine both organic and industrial forms. I am inspired by the functions of the human body and other organically generated fluids. I am intrigued by industrial elements that deal with moving and storing liquids.

Through my artwork I create an imaginary world of tubes and pipes combined, sometimes organic, sometimes industrial, that contain liquid. The forms that I create contain various orifices that shoot, leak, spray, drip, and splatter an array of fluids. I draw from scientific glassware, funnels, plugs, showerheads, pipes, and a variety of rubber products. I am attracted to the movement and elasticity of pliable rubber material and latex. These products especially interest me when they simulate flesh and transfer or contain fluid. I am also building three-dimensional ceramic forms. Using clay allows me to create unique forms that have developed from my prints. Often I will create new forms in clay that I later incorporate in my prints. Working with glass allows me the opportunity to integrate actual fluids, while incorporating my interests in containment.

My intent is to create an image that leaves the viewer considering their own bodily secretions. As humans we all experience the same bodily discharge. These bodily functions affect everyone without bias. There is no discrimination between cultures or class. Bodily mechanisms are routine, yet seldom acceptable in society. Like it or not, these secretions are part of who we are, they carry our DNA. Throughout our lives we deposit small amounts of our fluid selves, wherever we go. Being composed of such a large amount of liquids we will undoubtedly leak.