4 days 4 elements

2005, Art & Idea, Mexico City

A series of four distinct artistic works—one action per day

The age-old concept of the four elements—Fire, Earth, Water, and Air—forms the overarching theme for a sequence of actions that explore the poetic content, symbols, and metaphors underlying everyday life. By embedding the mundane within a poetic framework, the project encourages viewers to activate their imagination and creative energy throughout their daily routine.

Text: Haydeé Rovirosa

4 days 4 elements
Day 1 – Fire
Looking for Prometheus

Standing in front of the gallery, I ask passersby to give me their lighter.

In ancient Greek mythology, Prometheus brings fire to humanity and metaphorically grants them the ability to develop their mind and intellect. The role of Prometheus often serves as a metaphor for the artist himself. I turn the concept around: the artist takes a step back, and the average person on the street becomes the one who brings the fire. This work celebrates each individual's creative power and is a gentle homage to the source of my inspiration—the everyday life—while also questioning the general position of the artist.

4 days 4 elements
Day 2 – Earth
Be Careful in the Jungle
(Broken Glass and Rusty Nails)

I roam the blocks around the gallery, picking up all glass shards, rusty nails, and other "dangerous" items littering the streets and sidewalks.

With this intervention—quoting a line from Tom Waits—I reference the metaphor of the “urban jungle” with all its hazards to watch out for. After my action, the area surrounding the gallery is again “safe” and “tidy”—also serving as an ironic comment on the then-emerging role of artists acting like “social workers.”

4 days 4 elements
Day 3 – Water
Recently Cleaned Window

I clean the gallery’s large window.

The everyday act of window cleaning becomes, in an artistic context, a metaphor for mindfulness and seeing through life with clear vision. It’s an extremely minimalist gesture—paradoxically, nothing is added; instead, dust is removed. The work also highlights what becomes visible when looking both out from and into the otherwise empty gallery space.

4 days 4 elements
Day 4 – Air
Saftey first!

I fill the tires of a bicycle with a special spiritual protection spray from a Mexican witch market, then ride it from my studio to the gallery.

In today’s world of rationality and logic, our sense of the wondrous and magical in everyday life is fading. Yet “magic” is still all around us—it simply hides in seemingly ordinary things.