Juan Tardivo, born in Río Cuarto, Córdoba, in 1986 and currently based in Munich, embodies a vision of profound dialogue between history, memory, and the present. His work explores Nietzsche’s concept of the “eternal return,” a theory suggesting that everything created and experienced has already happened before, in an endless cycle. Tardivo draws on this notion to create works that reimagine ideas and forms from the past, introducing subtle alterations that reflect a “different time.” His compositions blend classical elements with a contemporary sensibility, integrating the body, light, and shadow through a bold and modern reinterpretation.
Interview with the Artist in Munich
What does art represent for you?
For me, art is both a way of communication and a journey of self-discovery. On one hand, it serves as a space for open dialogue, where ideas can be exchanged and cultural diversity can be explored through creative expression. On the other hand, art is something deeply personal—a tool for introspection and self-reflection. It helps me untangle my thoughts, connect with my inner self, and view the world with greater clarity. Art is not just a reflection of life; it is a way to understand and transform it.
Why do you create art, and what drives your inspiration?
I create art as a means of exploring and understanding myself—a personal journey of self-discovery and introspection. It feels like a form of therapy, a process where I can dive into my emotions, thoughts, and existence. Each time I confront a blank canvas or an empty page, I feel like I’m taking another step on this path, using creativity as both a meditation and a way to grow.
Art is also my language of connection. It allows me to express what words often cannot, enabling a deeper and more meaningful dialogue with others. For someone like me, who finds it challenging to communicate through conventional conversations, art becomes a bridge—a way to share my inner world with the outside one. As for inspiration, I draw it from many sources: the depth of human emotions, the beauty of nature, the mysteries of existence, and the desire to uncover what lies beneath the surface of life.
The abstraction of human existence
His series of works spans a range of themes, from abstraction in nature to existential reflections on balance and power. In his Head-On series, Tardivo confronts the symbolism of colors to create a visual conflict that mirrors both political divisions and the individual’s inner struggles. The clash between dark and luminous tones in this series evokes the classical concept of duality—good and evil—and the desire to find redemption amid opposing forces.
The In the Dream of My Landscapes series delves into abstract dreamlike landscapes, where the boundaries between nature and perception blur, inviting the viewer to question their relationship with the environment and project their own emotions onto the dense, textured brushstrokes. These pieces reveal a connection to both internal and external landscapes and how they reflect a collective subconscious.
Finally, in his new series and recent works, Tardivo addresses the monumentality and fragility of human existence within the context of a world affected by human intervention. Works such as The Fall of the Gods and Balance in the World present a melancholic and critical vision of humanity’s role on the planet, suggesting a departure from the divine in a context dominated by industrialization and environmental change. These new works will be presented in Munich in the month of February at the BIOPHILIA Exhibition that presents works by Juan Tardivo, Juliana Gutierrez and Hope Bartley curated by Cris. For more information: [email protected].
Through each series, Juan Tardivo presents work that resonates with a profound sense of nostalgia yet simultaneously embraces impermanence. His art serves as a reminder that history and human experience are inextricably linked, eternally redrawn on the canvas of existence.
SOLO EXHIBTIONS
2019 – IL TAGLIO DELLA MONTAGNA – POP-UP GALLERY. BOLOGNA IT
2017 – MELANCONIA – GARDEN GALLERY. BOLOGNA IT
2016 – MY THOUGHTS ARE SMALL – MARCHIARO GALLERY. CORDOBA ARG
2014 – DIGNITY IN A VACUUM – RIVOLTA MUSEUM. CORDOBA ARG
2013 – THIS IS NOT A PAINTIG EXHIBITION – SAN GENARO MUSEUM. CBA ARG
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2024 – BIOPHILIA- BROKE.TODAY . MUNICH. GER
2024 – NEUZWO04- KONSUM163 . MUNICH. GER
2023 – BONNER HERBST SALON- THE STAGE GALLERY . BONN. GER
2022 – Precius Emissions : Mtl Arty Studio Bologna IT
2021 – Familiar Stranger , Vacant Museum. Online Gallery
2017 – B-art presents Femme. Milan, It