At the end, it can all be just a matter of perspective.

Siete de un Golpe. Graphic studio

2011. Marker & pen on paper. 29’7 x 21 cm

The concept of “I (heart) Cargo” comes from the anthropological phenomenon of the Cargo Cults, which started in the XIX century and mainly took place in New Guinea. They appear when pre-industrial tribal societies come in contact with the more advanced western civilization, resulting in a series of rituals that imitate the white men’s behaviour with the only purpose of obtaining this “cargo” (material goods) through religious and magical ceremonies.

In this context, I (heart) Cargo builds up a world not to far from the one in which we live in today. Costumes, masks, feathers and totems combine with the typical American iconography, imitating it with the intention of calling on those material goods so desired by the human beings.

Baboon - I (heart) Cargo

2010. Pen, marker & watercolour on paper. 50x65 cm

This series of drawings is a collection of situations and scenes that refer to the American imagery, which we know through films and television and has been engraved in the collective subconscious. We see strange characters and elements in this well known background, turning up to be somewhat perplexed and provoking certain discomfort to the spectator.
The American context represents the “ideal”, but also cliché, of the Western culture. A stereotyped scenery which we can all recognize and identify with, because in greater or lesser extent it belongs to us. In contrast with this well known environment, the situations that develop in it are not familiar. The combination of both gives the feeling that not everything is under control, that we have to be alert because at any moment something could happen that would destroy this given for granted security and well-being.


They're coming from the sea - The fear of being invaded

This series of drawings is a collection of situations and scenes that refer to the American imagery, which we know through films and television and has been engraved in the collective subconscious. We see strange characters and elements in this well known background, turning up to be somewhat perplexed and provoking certain discomfort to the spectator.
The American context represents the “ideal”, but also cliché, of the Western culture. A stereotyped scenery which we can all recognize and identify with, because in greater or lesser extent it belongs to us. In contrast with this well known environment, the situations that develop in it are not familiar. The combination of both gives the feeling that not everything is under control, that we have to be alert because at any moment something could happen that would destroy this given for granted security and well-being.

Burger - The fear of being invaded

The concept of “I (heart) Cargo” comes from the anthropological phenomenon of the Cargo Cults, which started in the XIX century and mainly took place in New Guinea. They appear when pre-industrial tribal societies come in contact with the more advanced western civilization, resulting in a series of rituals that imitate the white men’s behaviour with the only purpose of obtaining this “cargo” (material goods) through religious and magical ceremonies.

In this context, I (heart) Cargo builds up a world not to far from the one in which we live in today. Costumes, masks, feathers and totems combine with the typical American iconography, imitating it with the intention of calling on those material goods so desired by the human beings.

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Isabel Albertos Johnston