Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on December 2010

Courtesy of the Cervantes Institute

For me, Argentina has always been two parts Diego Maradona to one part invasion of the Falklands, with a twist of Borges’ “magical realism” thrown in. Now I’ll have to remix this neat little cocktail to include the talents on display at “An Intimate roar about sex, corruption and gamble” (sic), an exhibition of three fascinating Argentine artists. Sculptor José Piuma has two very different strings to his bow—church icons and sculptures that resemble obscure items bought in a sex shop. Diego Perrotta paints luridly colored canvases replete with atavistic tribalism. Marcelo Bordese’s paintings strike a similarly intense note, with dream-like explorations of sexuality that suggest an unlikely melding of Penthouse with Hieronymus Bosch (pictured). But whatever your metaphors, this looks to be an intoxicating exhibition.

Cervantes Institute
Jose Piuma, Diego Perrotta and Marcelo Bordese. An Intimate roar about sex, corruption and gamble. Sculpture, painting. Until Jan 5 (closed Dec 20-Jan 2), free. 2-9 Rokubancho, Chiyoda-ku. Tel: 03-5210-1800. Open Mon-Sat 10am-8pm, closed Sun. Nearest stn: Yurakucho. www.tokio.cervantes.es