Joining the dots

The HangART-7 exhibition “Una Excursión Mexicana” in Salzburg’s Hangar-7, running until August 28, is a show of works by seven young, very individual Mexican artists. Answering questionnaires, they each describe their approach to art – and share some inside information along the way. Part Seven: Marco Rountree.

Shooting star Marco Rountree hasn’t had conventional training in art. He prefers to get his education on the street, from friends and people and from life – and continuously produces art using materials and techniques of all kinds. An eclectic but simple approach. And in the same way, the twenty-five-year-old shared his thoughts: succinctly, to the point, and with a few dots thrown in.

How much connects you to the six other artists in this exhibition? And how much separates you?

How much? A lot, because we all come from Mexico. All the works are different, have their own peculiarities: that’s what separates them and us from each other.

What makes your art “typically Mexican?” Why couldn’t it have been created in any other country?

I’m not sure if I’d say that my art is typically Mexican. But it couldn’t have been created anywhere else.

Please give us three words that describe your work process.

Making. Things. Done

... and three that describe your artworks.

Graphic. Movement. Popular culture.

What do you feel when people observe your work and you think it affects them – no matter how?

It’s a really good feeling. Fulfilling.

Could you share with us a very personal anecdote about one of the pieces exhibited in Hangar-7 – or give us some sort of insider information about it that only you have been privy to until now?

There’s a drawing in black and white of a tree … I love trees. A lot of people don’t know it, but I just stick some red dots on it.