Coded in Chaos
The human being is complicated.
Luis Toledo, also known as Laprisamata, presents a striking visual exploration of human complexity with his series Antiflesh. In this collection, Toledo moves beyond superficial notions of the skin to delve into the depths of identity, revealing “skinless” faces where bones, muscles, and organs merge with abstract elements. Stripped of epidermal layers, these images become powerful metaphors for the idea that our thoughts, memories, and imagination define us far more than any physical appearance.
Antiflesh aligns with the metamodernist movement, where Toledo merges influences from classical art history with references to pop culture, sacred art, psychedelic style, and today’s digital culture. In each piece, the artist uses digital collage techniques, blending scanned elements from old anatomical texts with his own digital illustrations. This creative process results in intricate compositions that invite viewers to lose themselves within the work, slowing down the relentless pace of modern life and creating a suspended moment in time.
Each work in Antiflesh consists of over five hundred meticulously organized layers, structured according to classical principles such as the golden ratio. This careful arrangement underscores not only Toledo’s technical skill but also his commitment to capturing the complexity and depth of the human spirit in visual form. Through this series, Toledo challenges traditional anatomical perception and suggests that the true portrait of a person lies in the intangible, invisible aspects of their being.