Spanish-born artist Paco Cao's work is characterized by an interest in establishing new forms of communication between the artist, the work of
About me
Spanish-born artist Paco Cao's work is characterized by an interest in establishing new forms of communication between the artist, the work of art, and the audience. He highlights the creative process, challenging the notion of what is a "final product.” Consequently, most of his projects are process-oriented, taking place in the public realm, as site-specific creations that span long periods of time. His works usually require active audience participation, as well as the engagement of art institutions, the media, and the general public.
In 2001, he set in motion a series of look-alike contests, for which he digitally recreated historical portraits by artists such as Velazquez. Then he launched massive publicity campaigns in search of an individual who resembled the digitally recreated portraits. His "Rent-a-Body" Project (1993-1998) also took a commercial form, presenting the body as an object for rent. Here he again established a communicative link between artist and spectator by submitting the artist's body to a process of radical objectification. Paco is currently based in Brooklyn, New York. He has spent significant time abroad, and while living in Spain studied Art History at the University of Oviedo, where he received his Ph.D. in 1992.
