Drawing on alternate knowledge systems, speculative philosophies and mysticism, Alberto Porta became Zush in 1968, and constructed an imagined universe, complete with flag, alphabet and currency. Since 2001, he has shown works as Evru, examining the construction of imagined worlds. El Planeta de las cuatro lunas (The Planet of Four Moons) depicts, in garish colour, a cosmic landscape of four moons. Rosudra suggests surrealist iconography of Rorschach tests. Works such as the Carta de l’univers series, Varuno Dovist, and Kalina Dafic – alternatingly psychedelic and esoteric – can be seen as expressions of figuration and perception beyond the limited standpoint of the human.
Alberto Porta (b. 1946, Barcelona, Spain) who assumes the pseudonym of Zush, and then Evru, creates in his paintings and drawings, a particular universe of codes with his own alphabet, anthem, flag, passports or currency. Solo exhibitions has been featured in Duo Lun MoMA, Shanghai (2007); Today Art Museum, Beijing (2007); NUS Museum, Singapore (2006); Museum of Contemporary Art Barcelona (2001); and Museum Reina Sofia – MNCARS, Madrid (2000). He took part in Documenta VI, Kassel (1977) and in the exhibition Les Magiciens de la Terre, Centre Pompidou, Paris (1989). His work is part of the permanent collections of many museums around the world.
EXHIBITED WORKS
El planeta de las cuatro lunas (The Planet of Four Moons), 2014
Mixed media on paper
130 × 156 cm
Courtesy the artist.
Carta de l’univers 33 (Letter from the Universe), 2002
Mixed media on paper
42 × 33 cm
Courtesy the artist and Galeria Joan Prats.
Carta de l’univers 31 (Letter from the Universe), 2002
Mixed media on paper
42 × 30 cm
Courtesy the artist and Galeria Joan Prats.
Varuno Dovist, 1990
Mixed technique on photographic paper
180 × 95 cm
Courtesy Enric Ruiz-Geli.
Kalina Dafic, 1990-91
Mixed technique on photographic paper
177.5 × 143.5 cm
Courtesy the artist.
Rosudra, 1991
Mixed media on paper
29.5 × 21 cm
Courtesy the artist and Galeria Joan Prats.
Presented with the support of Acción Cultural Española (AC/E).
