On individual monofilament strings, Johannes Peralta (formerly) suspends every part of historic gadgets, from Rollieflex cameras to Singer sewing machines. The Austin-based artist reinterprets iconic technology to create complex, three-dimensional creations exploded diagrams using real objects.
Peralta recalls memories of his childhood when he and his brother pulled a red wagon through the neighborhood. They knocked on doors and collected broken radios and tape decks so they could open them up and investigate what was causing each tapping. Also inspired by the mind-boggling, mathematical renderings of Dutch artist MC Escher, Peralta spent a lot of time drawing with pencil and charcoal, and art eventually turned from a hobby into a full-time occupation.
Fascinated by the history, function and components of 19th and 20th century innovations, Peralta dismantles each item piece by piece and then painstakingly strings each part into illuminated boxes. Elaborate film reels in a Bolex 16mm camera or the gears and keys of a Hammond Multiplex typewriter are unfolded to reveal the inner workings of the mechanisms.
Although he remains focused on antiques, Peralta is always interested in refining and experimenting with different methods and materials. ‘New Abnormal’, for example, includes an ’80s boombox, with small figures interacting with the wiring or moving across its surfaces.
In 2020, a Nashville hotel commissioned a large-scale installation of floating musical instruments for its lobby, and the artist is currently working on a sculpture featuring the original guitar Robby Krieger played on The Doors’ first album. He is also working on a commissioned antique piece binnaclea stand on the deck of a ship where navigation instruments such as the compass are placed.
If you’re in Los Angeles, you can see the artist’s sculptures in an upcoming Pacific Standard Time exhibit, opening September 28 at The Loft at Liz. Find more about him websiteand follow up on updates Instagram.
