Flanking the gates of Santo Domingo’s Chinatown in the Dominican Republic are two stone lions, weather‑beaten and ornately detailed, their jaws hinged open in an intimidating growl. The day artist Eduardo Enrique visited, however, a plastic bottle had been jammed between one of the pair’s teeth. Maybe someone was waiting for the garbage truck to come, maybe someone was too lazy to dump it in the bin. But there it was, grandeur defaced by a bottle.
“It went from being something really sacred to being a cartoon character,” he says. “This cultural accident—the vandalism of an object of high culture by somebody who had no idea [about its meaning—was a perfect example of ] globalisation gone wrong.” For an artist who has dedicated his practice to interrogating our fetishistic relationships to brands, commodities and consumerism, Enrique knew in that instant that no artwork he could fashion would ever be as powerful as that mundane masterpiece of absurdity.
In fact, Enrique’s work thrives on the recontextualisation of the mundane, which is exactly how his commentary on capitalist consumerism and globalisation is so pointed. In 2019, he started an anonymous Instagram account called Dick Worldwide, featuring luxury bags and shoes transformed into the titular male body part. By 2020, he was putting on shows under his name, including Brand Love in 2022, showcasing BDSM gear he designed that came branded with Nike logos—a continuation of themes earlier explored in Dick Worldwide. Elsewhere, he has digitally rendered antiques with branded, modern goods—think a Chinese bronze vessel with a Nike basketball, and a brass bowl emblazoned with the BMW logo. The effect is jarring and sometimes provocative, forcing us to question how entrenched our relationships with brands and commodities really are.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Louder Than You Think
It might not shout about itself, but among the world’s most influential people, Brunello Cucinelli is everywhere. Its co‑chairman and co‑creative director Carolina Cucinelli shares why the Italian brand’s high‑end ubiquity is built on its rock‑solid values
A New Era
La Prairie unveils the first product from its new collection, the Life Matrix Haute Rejuvenation Cream, an innovative creation that represents a new chapter in luxury skincare for those seeking to maintain healthy skin
Revolutionising Healthcare
Artificial intelligence is the future of healthcare, according to Asia Pacific Medical Technology Association CEO Harjit Gill. Ahead of its Asia Pacific MedTech Forum 2024, she outlines how a digitally driven healthcare system can improve access and outcomes for all
REBIRTH RENEWAL REWARD
Renowned artist Nari Ward gives Tatler a peek into his Harlem studio as he prepares for his solo exhibition in Seoul
Blurring Lines, Breaking Boundaries
Cartier’s creative director of jewellery and watches Marie-Laure Cérède on the maison’s commitment to creating statement-making timepieces for discerning luxury consumers
Tan Yin Ling
The co‑founder of Cloop on how her social enterprise is closing the loop on Singapore’s fashion waste
THE World IS YOUR Oyster
Tatler gets a taste of the luxe nomadic life aboard the world’s most exclusive residential ship as it sails from South Korea to Japan
HAUTE HOTELS
Find out where designers, models and fashionistas stay during Fashion Week
RAISING THE STEAKS
Hanwoo, Korea’s native beef, is celebrated not only for its flavourful meat but also its rich history and deep cultural significance. We explore the qualities and traditions that make Hanwoo a national treasure—and why the rest of the world needs to know about it
The Fashion Centennial
In celebration of its 100th anniversary, Loro Piana looks back on its legacy of exceptional fabrics, textile innovation and savoir faire in its fall‑winter 2024‑2025 women’s and men’s collections