The blot or stain refers to pigment: black ink on a white surface or vice-versa, with the whole spectrum of colors and hues in between. The concept actually goes much further than that, considering the following: a spot is also any organic or material object that interrupts a space made up of a continuity of elements of another type (color, texture, size, etc.). In its primary context, it is related to color , but stretching its meaning it can also be related to material, spatial, social and or psychological objects. Color theory states that an object appears to be of a specific color; when it is seen in the light, the material it is made of reflects certain colors and absorbs others, for instants: an apple is red because it reflects yellow and blue while it absorbs red. The apple looks like a spot on the green foliage of the tree from which it hangs. We not necessarily have to think of the stain as pigment on a surface; indeed, it can be conceived in terms of ideas related to morality, spirituality or psychology. An obvious example , which gave this study its name, is the expression “immaculate conception,” referring to the Virgin Mary and the fact she was untouched by sin — spotless since she was inseminated by the Holy spirit; in this case, the mácula, stain, or spot is equated with sin. Blots can also refer to psychological states, like the common activity of “reading” the shapes of clouds as if they were blots in a Rorschach test. This book’s intention is to create a discourse about the stain or blot and its representations, to talk about the contrast, contradiction and dichotomies in reality, in relation to different environments. My aim, far from Manichean, is simply to leave behind a record that is the result of observation.

Available from Garash Galería

Xavier Rodríguez develop his work through different disciplines that emerge from conceptual art practices: performance, video, photography, installation, sculpture, sound art. He born in México City in 1971, he studied Visual Arts at ENAP- UNAM, his work has been presented in México in several Art Spaces: Palacio de Bellas Ates, Museo Carrillo Gil, Exteresa Arte Actual, Garash Galería, La panaderia, Art & Idea, Galería Kurimanzutto, Galería de Arte Mexicano, Oficina de Proyectos de Arte, to list a few. He was exhibit internationally in differents countries: France, England, Spain, Puerto Rico, Japan, Poland, USA, Canada, Colombia. His work is part of Art Collections like Fundation Cartier por l’Art Contemporain, Fundación Televisa and particulars collections. He received several grants, including Jovenes Creadores – FONCA/CONACULTA, and the UNESCO – Ascberg. He has also curated around twenty national and international exhibitions for the Ex Teresa Arte Actual Museum.