Those hardy souls who braved weather more reminiscent of Vancouver than Todos Santos to attend our third "Meet the Artists" talk of the season, on February 11th 5:30 at Cafelix, were treated to a moving talk by Benito Ortego Vargas, a renowned sculptor. Gloria Santoyo Ruenitz provided a simultaneous English translation. Benito talked about how he came to realize he was destined to be an artist, the factors that influence him, his approach to his work and the way in which people interact with and come to understand his sculptures.
Benito read a poem he had written to describe his life as an artist (English translation by Gloria):
I was thinking and asked myself , Who am I?
What am I as an artist?
Something in me responds:
I am a leaf from a tree
in an immense forest
a face within millions
another human, who laughs and cries
with its existential burden
a wounded child
who is healing, and makes a call to harmony.
I remained quiet,
I felt that behind everything,
inside and outside
there is an enormous vibration
wishing to touch the human heart
it’s life looking for itself.
Here's what he said as a preview of his talk, in both Spanish and English:
"Benito Ortega Vargas…
dice ser Escultor de nacimiento y desde niño sintió el arte como propio, su formación y desarrollo como artista ha sido en escuelas de arte y talleres; como alumno y tambien como maestro. Buena parte de su evolución plástica es autodidacta. Amante de técnicas, materiales, herramientas y cualquier medio que le permita expresarse.
Este escultor dice: la expresion artística es una necesidad innata en el ser humano, el talento que algunos tienen para ello es un regalo de vida.
La mezcla de ese impulso natural con el manejo de las técnicas da por resultado la obra artística; que para ser completa necesita ser percibida y recibida; es así como la vida y lo vivido se transmite en el complejo tejido social é histórico de la humanidad. Es la vida sirviéndose a si misma.
Es artista es sencillamente un canal y la mejor opción para él es disfrutar su actividad.
Benito manifiesta su agrado en platicar con ustedes y exponer su opinión de esta manera de vivir el arte."
"Benito Ortega Vargas… says to be a Sculptor from birth. Since being a child he felt art was his. As an artist he developed his training in art schools and workshops. He was both a student and a teacher. A good part of his fine arts evolution is self-taught. He loves techniques, materials, tools and any other means that allow him to express himself.
This sculptor says: the artistic expression is a necessity in the human being and the talent that some have is a real gift from life.
The mix if this natural impulse with the manipulation of the techniques results in a piece of fine arts. Which to be complete needs to be perceived and received; that is how life and what we have lived fuses itself in the complex social and historic weaving of humanity. It is life serving itself.
Being an artist is simply a channel and the best option for him is to enjoy his activity.
Benito manifests his pleasure in talking to you and presents his view of what it means to him to live art.
"
