Abraham Cruzvillegas: The Autoconstrucción Suites

The Walker Art Center in Minneapolis presents an exhibition dedicated to Abraham Cruzvillegas: The Autoconstrucción Suites. 

Interested in what he calls autoconstrucción or “self-construction,” the Mexican artist, roots his practice within the urban landscape of his childhood home, where structures are in a constant state of change as materials become available and as necessity dictates. The conceptual framework and ideology of his dynamic sculptural work begins here. Since the 1990s, Cruzvillegas has developed a riveting body of work – including sculpture, installation, film/video, and theater – that derives from the social and economic realities of his hometown in Ajusco. The installations of the artist are composed by objet trouvé, that are assembled and elaborated in a continuous improvisational project. This work in process practice not only represents Abraham’s methodology, but also operated as a rich metaphor for the articulation of his own identity.The autoconstructive artistic and existential practice allows the artist to experience all the transformations and modifications that occur around him and, at the same time, to develop a creative way of life where everything is possible.

Abraham Cruzvillegas: The Autoconstrucción Suites includes an important body of sculptures first exhibited at the 2003 Venice Biennale; a series of sculptural installations created during a six-year period of residencies; and more recent experiments that expand his thinking on autoconstrucción through film, video and performance. Autoconstrucción: The Film – a 62-minute abstract portrait of Ajusco – will be screened in the Walker’s Lecture Room on the 2nd Saturday of every month at 4 pm, starting in May.