Alegoría de una Obsesión: Studio Film (Mise-en-scène)
ALEGORÍA DE UNA OSESIÓN (Allegory of an Obsession)
The sculpture "Allegory of an Obsession" is a physical manifestation of Moreno’s central thesis: the metamorphosis of the body under the pressure of residual matter and technology.
Formally, the piece belongs to the ANATOMICAL SHARDS sub-series, presenting an assembled bust primarily constructed from instant soup containers. By transforming this residue of ephemeral consumption into a human form, the work establishes a direct critique of material obsolescence and the media saturation that defines contemporary identity. The fragmented, "stitched" texture of the material suggests an anatomy literally being molded by its own waste.
Conceptually, the work functions as a double allegory:
Filmic Homage and the Female Figure: The piece is inspired by the aesthetics of "A Trip to the Moon" (Georges Méliès, 1902), one of cinema’s foundational masterpieces. By evoking this imagery, Moreno not only pays homage to the origin of the visual language that defines his practice but also utilizes the female figure as an archetype of fascination and aesthetic journey. The face, with its hypnotic eyes, embodies the obsession with image, beauty, and the technological promise offered by film and modern advertising.
Obsession, Journey, and Consumption: The rocket—a direct reference to the spaceship used by Méliès’ scientists to reach the Moon—is embedded in the bust’s chest. This element is a dual symbol: it represents the audacity of the science fiction journey and the technological penetration that affects the body. The "obsession" of the title refers to the endless cycle of consumption, waste, and the fruitless pursuit of a utopian promise offered by technology and media, driven by that internal "vessel" of desire.
As a finalist artwork in the Maruchan Sopart 2023 competition, "Allegory of an Obsession" validates the artist's ability to elevate popular, discarded material into a higher artistic discourse.
