If it’s possible to make some humans look like grotesque pigs with the help of plastic surgery, why shouldn’t we do it the other way around and turn pigs into grotesque humans? Brazilian artist Zé Carlos Garcia constructs such things, along with super-insects, four-legged animals with wings, Carnival trucks, and a whole bunch of other things.
Vice: How did you get into art? I heard you got started on these big Brazilian Carnival trucks?
Zé Carlos Garcias: Oh, I’ve been making sculptures all my life. I was introduced to Carnival though art school. I still do that, by the way.
Yeah?
Yeah, it’s a great way to make a living. I worked at a Carnival school for six months--that’s where the big trucks are designed and built--and that way I make enough money to do what I want for the rest of the year.
That’s great! Who pays for it? The state?
Yeah, nowadays it’s the state. They want to attract tourists, of course. But before that, it was the mafia and the big drug lords. It still happens today. It’s a big prestige thing for those guys.
So how did you start to work with organic animal "material"?
It started with chickens. I grew up on a farm, you know? I collected the feathers that the chickens lost, dipped them in paint, and put them back onto the birds. So there were all these colorful chickens running around on the farm.
Fantastic, what came next?
The insects. As said before, I live in a rural part of Brazil. There you have huge bugs and insects flying around your lamp at night. I caught them, dissected them and put them together in a new way. For a Brazilian those hybrids are like a puzzle. He tries to assign the single parts to the insects he knows.
And then you started to turn pigs' heads into human heads. Do you have any experiences in plastic surgery? It’s completely different to work with flesh, isn’t it?
Yes, but as I said, I did sculptures all my life. Also I just love animals, so that wasn’t a big problem.
For a man who loves animals, you treat them pretty roughly. Your pig sculptures really look kind of nightmarish.
Oh yes. One time I made this joke: I invited all those people to an art opening and I cooked this big feijoada for them. That’s a traditional Brazilian dish with black beans and lots of pork. Right next to the pots and dishes I put the deformed pig’s head on the table.
That's kind of gross. Are you a vegetarian?
No, but I think I created some new vegetarians that day.
I just talked to your cousin and he said you’re a mixture between an artist and murderer. Do you agree with that?
Hmm... yes. I mean, we kill to eat, why shouldn’t we kill to admire?
MALTE BORGMANN
Really liked this post. I will have to bookmark this site to tell my friends.
Posted by: denver plastic surgery | 27/10/2009 at 16:26
I like this post, too.
Posted by: TT | 05/11/2009 at 19:15
Interesting post!!
Posted by: Muscle Might | 18/11/2009 at 08:37
the first images looks like that guy from the goonies,,
Posted by: Isadora | 05/12/2009 at 12:39
I don't like these ugly photo's. I feel like vomiting after seeing these photos.
EverBright Smiles
Posted by: EverBright Smiles | 17/12/2009 at 11:21
Nice. Really nice.
Posted by: aMazing | 31/12/2009 at 15:26
nice pictures all is, but i think all pictures all looking also so Horror,
Acai Optimum
Posted by: Acai Optimum | 13/01/2010 at 13:00
Its too horrible photo. I don't like such type of photos. It makes me scared.
Posted by: Miami Hotels | 20/01/2010 at 12:52
Yaiks! very disturbing picture :))
Posted by: Chemotherapy Side Effects | 01/02/2010 at 05:52
These are really ugly photos!!
Posted by: Advanced Acai | 09/02/2010 at 08:55
I have to say this guys is an artist. He does all the things an artist should do. convey emotion. Some of his are makes me a little sick. just because I hate insects. but he give me emotions. So I have to give him that.
Samuel
Posted by: Web Design Plano | 22/02/2010 at 21:12
These pictures are ugly as well as scary. Someone please remove them.
Posted by: new life cleanse | 12/03/2010 at 08:58
that is just way too kick ass man! i love what you did in the second picture.. very nice art work! :)
Posted by: renaissance costume | 18/03/2010 at 12:04
Nice photos although ugly but strange enough to arrest the attention of everybody.
Posted by: Muscle Boost | 23/03/2010 at 10:19
darn it...it really looks scary...scared the hell out of me..i hope i wont get nightmares :(
Posted by: trampolines | 28/03/2010 at 10:17
how ugly photos!!!
Posted by: china hiphone | 31/03/2010 at 07:45
Oh!! I am not feeling appetite seeing these ugly photos. Someone please remove these photos!!
Posted by: Cho Yung Tea | 13/04/2010 at 11:11
wow! they look so real. amazing!
Posted by: organic body care | 27/04/2010 at 06:01
Really the work of a genius!! I must appreciate the person who has the capability of seeing beauty in these ugly creatures or things. Hats off to this man.
Posted by: Force Factor | 03/05/2010 at 13:43
Who knew that there can be beauty in ugly things too. Amazing art!!
Posted by: Acai Max Cleanse | 11/05/2010 at 13:58
I appreciate the spirit of this man. He has what it takes to be a successful artist.
Posted by: Force Factor Supplements | 19/05/2010 at 09:46
I appreciate his work of art. It's good that its animal to look like human not the other way around. It's really good because, it shows his creativity. I love the pictures!
Posted by: Plastic surgery Beverly Hills | 04/06/2010 at 05:24
It is a unique art which is not found anywhere else in the world. I do wanna develop such talent.
Posted by: Force Factor | 09/06/2010 at 10:29
Nobody can develop such talent. It is god gifted.
Posted by: Lovefilm UK | 10/07/2010 at 11:44
This man is different. There must be something loose in his mind.
Posted by: Vierect | 24/07/2010 at 11:10