artist
Carlos Pazos
birth
Barcelona, Spain, 1949
last update
23-04-2025
Carlos Pazos (Barcelona 1949) studied architecture, graphic design and art history at Eina, an art and design school in Barcelona. A heterogeneous creator, his work connects with Neo-Dadaism, Arte Povera, Surrealism and the aesthetics of Marcel Duchamp, Andy Warhol and Marcel Broodthaers. Although formally his work displays a marked sense of humour, it is also deeply dramatic. Pazos reveals the failure of modernity and questions the systems of representation: the image can no longer evoke reality and the self belongs to fiction. The artist, hiding behind a variety of masks, uses souvenirs and objects, and turns the art of collecting into one of the main themes in his work. With a kitsch aesthetic, he combines the poetics of the object with irony and the narcissistic mask.

Inquisitive by nature, Pazos has experimented with different creative fields. In the cinema, he played the principal role in És quan dormo que hi veig clar, 1987, a film by Jordi Cadena with texts by J.V. Foix, and in the action-movie Pianito, 1999, by Jordi Colomer; he was the director and designer of the play El bell lloc, 1998, by Joan Brossa, and wrote and directed the documentary Yo inventé unos Llopis, 2011. He has collaborated in artist's books with Eduardo Mendoza, Ramón de España and Eduardo Lago, and is the author of the books Garabatos y zarpazos, 2004, and Pimpollos y papanatas, 2013. He has been the director of the dance hall Cibeles, 1978–82, the cocktail bar Bijou, 1983–86, inspired by the spectral bar in The Shining by Stanley Kubrick, and the musical bar Je-rrix, 1994–95.

Since 1970, year of his first solo show at the Ateneu de Barcelona, his work has been exhibited in numerous galleries in Barcelona (Ciento, Metrònom, Centre d'Art Santa Mònica, Caixa de Pensions) and Madrid (Buades, Gamarra y Garrigues, Masha Prieto and Juana de Aizpuru). He has also exhibited in other cities in Spain, as well as Paris, 1978, New York, 1989, and Brussels, 1989, among others.

In 2004 he was awarded the Spanish Premio Nacional de Artes Plásticas by the Ministry of Education and Culture, and in 2008 received the Catalan Premi Nacional d'Arts Visuals for his exhibition Don't Tell Me Anything at MACBA and the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, Madrid, a retrospective of the work of thirty years exploring the subject of identity and the poetics of the object.
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The texts of the MACBA web draw on previous documentation. Please let us know if you find any errors.

works

57 results
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[1509_001_pub_l / Imatge] 1509_001_pub_l.jpg
see detail
[1510_002_pub_l / Imatge] 1510_002_pub_l.jpg
see detail
Ideales
1971
Carlos Pazos
see detail
[3110_002_hist / Imatge] Pinturas
see detail
[3111_015_hist / Imatge] Models d'escultures
see detail
Voy a hacer de mi una estrella
1975
Carlos Pazos
see detail
[1503_001_pub_l / Imatge] 1503_001_pub_l.jpg
see detail
[1487_022_hist / Imatge] Voy a hacer de mi una estrella
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[6595_001_rgb / Imatge] No me olvides
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[1502_001_pub_l / Imatge] 1502_001_pub_l.jpg
see detail
Conocerle es amarle
1977
Carlos Pazos
see detail
[2958_006_hist / Imatge] En la intimidad
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[1504_001_pub_l / Imatge] 1504_001_pub_l.jpg
see detail
[1508_002_pub_l / Imatge] 1508_002_pub_l.jpg
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[3113_010_pub / Imatge] The Floor of Fame
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[Notes i blocs d'apunts, alguns d'ells publicats al llibre "Agenda: Carlos Pazos" (Barcelona, Àmbit, 1984)]
[ca. 1984]
Carlos Pazos
see detail
Londres, Mayo 1980
1980
Carlos Pazos
see detail
Bonjour melancolia
1980
Carlos Pazos
see detail
[1500_002_pub_l / Imatge] 1500_002_pub_l.jpg
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[1507_001_pub_l / Imatge] 1507_001_pub_l.jpg
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[1505_001_pub_l / Imatge] 1505_001_pub_l.jpg
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Treballs preparatoris per a "Let me be your teddy bear"
1981
Carlos Pazos
see detail
[3851_001_pub / Imatge] Mi pathos doy
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Sense títol
1982
Carlos Pazos
see detail
Let me be your teddy bear
1982
Carlos Pazos
see detail
[0175_001_pub / Imatge] Aquella noche volví a llorar con Bambi
see detail
Treball preparatori per a "Aquella noche volví a soñar con Bambi"
1982
Carlos Pazos
see detail
Cupido eres tú
1983
Carlos Pazos
see detail
[6597_004_pub / Imatge] Papá dijo no al rock and roll
see detail
Cromo 8: Regreso del país de nunca jamás
1984
Carlos Pazos
see detail
Barcelona blanc i negre
1984
Carlos Pazos
see detail
El mar me bailaba en tus ojos turbios de duralex
1984
Carlos Pazos
see detail
[6594_004_hist / Imatge] C'est chic, n'est-ce pas?
see detail
[6600_004_pub / Imatge] Demasiado joven para el rock and roll (Go Johnny Go)
see detail
Acaramelando a Wendy
1986
Carlos Pazos
see detail
Me gusta mucho pero no quiero más
1986
Carlos Pazos
see detail
[6596_002_pub / Imatge] Panorama de amor al amanecer
see detail
[1888_001_hist / Imatge] Con llanto de cocodrilo. Sèrie: " Esa estúpida sensación"
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[6601_002_rgb / Imatge] Que te folle un pez
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De nuevo
1987
Carlos Pazos
see detail
[1637_001_hist / Imatge] L'amour c'est comme un jour. Sèrie: "Esa estúpides sensación"
see detail
Con el calor se despegan las estrellas
1988
Carlos Pazos
see detail
[0057_001_hist / Imatge] While my Lady sleeps
see detail
Sense títol
1989
Carlos Pazos
see detail
¿Qué pasó con la música?
1989
Carlos Pazos
see detail
[6585_001_rgb / Imatge] Dedicado admirador de la naturaleza
see detail
[6589_001_pub / Imatge] No hay replay
see detail
Carpeta "XXV Artistes Catalans. Pavelló de Catalunya Expo'92"
1992
Rafael Bartolozzi
see detail
[3112_002_hist / Imatge] Niños buenos, niños malos
see detail
Objects in Mirror Are Closer than They Appear
1992
Carlos Pazos
see detail
[1207_002_rgb / Imatge] Un elefante en el limbo
see detail
[3114_002_pub / Imatge] 3114_002_pub.tif
see detail
Sense títol
1995
Carlos Pazos
see detail
[1501_001_hist / Imatge] Sense títol. Sèrie "Conocerle es amarle"
see detail
[1511_001_pub_l / Imatge] 1511_001_pub_l.jpg
see detail
[3810_001_hist / Imatge] A sus pies señora
see detail
Mnemocine. Película recortable
2006 - 2007
Carlos Pazos
see detail
OBRA TITLE
OBRA TITLE
yyyy-YYYY
ARTIST NAME
[1509_001_pub_l / Imatge] 1509_001_pub_l.jpg
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[1510_002_pub_l / Imatge] 1510_002_pub_l.jpg
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Ideales
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[3110_002_hist / Imatge] Pinturas
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[3111_015_hist / Imatge] Models d'escultures
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Voy a hacer de mi una estrella
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[1503_001_pub_l / Imatge] 1503_001_pub_l.jpg
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[1487_022_hist / Imatge] Voy a hacer de mi una estrella
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[6595_001_rgb / Imatge] No me olvides
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[1502_001_pub_l / Imatge] 1502_001_pub_l.jpg
this content can only be
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Conocerle es amarle
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[2958_006_hist / Imatge] En la intimidad
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[1504_001_pub_l / Imatge] 1504_001_pub_l.jpg
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[1508_002_pub_l / Imatge] 1508_002_pub_l.jpg
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[3113_010_pub / Imatge] The Floor of Fame
this content can only be
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[Notes i blocs d'apunts, alguns d'ells publicats al llibre
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Londres, Mayo 1980
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Bonjour melancolia
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[1500_002_pub_l / Imatge] 1500_002_pub_l.jpg
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[1507_001_pub_l / Imatge] 1507_001_pub_l.jpg
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[1505_001_pub_l / Imatge] 1505_001_pub_l.jpg
this content can only be
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Treballs preparatoris per a
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[3851_001_pub / Imatge] Mi pathos doy
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Sense títol
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Let me be your teddy bear
this content can only be
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[0175_001_pub / Imatge] Aquella noche volví a llorar con Bambi
this content can only be
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Treball preparatori per a
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Cupido eres tú
this content can only be
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[6597_004_pub / Imatge] Papá dijo no al rock and roll
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Cromo 8: Regreso del país de nunca jamás
this content can only be
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Barcelona blanc i negre
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El mar me bailaba en tus ojos turbios de duralex
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[6594_004_hist / Imatge] C'est chic, n'est-ce pas?
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[6600_004_pub / Imatge] Demasiado joven para el rock and roll (Go Johnny Go)
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Acaramelando a Wendy
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Me gusta mucho pero no quiero más
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[6596_002_pub / Imatge] Panorama de amor al amanecer
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[1888_001_hist / Imatge] Con llanto de cocodrilo. Sèrie: " Esa estúpida sensación"
this content can only be
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[6601_002_rgb / Imatge] Que te folle un pez
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De nuevo
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[1637_001_hist / Imatge] L'amour c'est comme un jour. Sèrie: "Esa estúpides sensación"
this content can only be
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Con el calor se despegan las estrellas
this content can only be
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[0057_001_hist / Imatge] While my Lady sleeps
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Sense títol
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¿Qué pasó con la música?
this content can only be
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[6585_001_rgb / Imatge] Dedicado admirador de la naturaleza
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[6589_001_pub / Imatge] No hay replay
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Carpeta
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[3112_002_hist / Imatge] Niños buenos, niños malos
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Objects in Mirror Are Closer than They Appear
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[1207_002_rgb / Imatge] Un elefante en el limbo
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[3114_002_pub / Imatge] 3114_002_pub.tif
this content can only be
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Sense títol
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[1501_001_hist / Imatge] Sense títol. Sèrie "Conocerle es amarle"
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[1511_001_pub_l / Imatge] 1511_001_pub_l.jpg
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[3810_001_hist / Imatge] A sus pies señora
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Mnemocine. Película recortable
this content can only be
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documents

39 results
En temps real. La Col·lecció Rafael Tous d'art conceptual [Reportatge fotogràfic exposició]
document
14-5-2021 - 1-11-2021
A.HIS.06521
Carlos Pazos : cook books : inventari provisional, 1999-2011 /[idea i projecte, Anna Capella ; textos, Anna Capella, Richer et Richer ; disseny, Álex Gifreu]
document
2011
A10475
Pascal Comelade i Carlos Pazos, amb la participació de Evru -- Dispositiu LEM de primavera [Enregistrament audiovisual activitat]
document
7-5-2010
A.HIS.05012
Presentació del llibre "Fidelidad Total" de Carlos Pazos i Ramón de España [Reportatge audiovisual activitat]
document
22-3-2007
A.HIS.06658
Carlos Pazos. No em diguis res [Reportatge fotogràfic exposició]
document
9-3-2007 - 6-5-2007
A.HIS.00046
"Voy a hacer de mi una estrella" / Carlos Pazos
document
2002
A00484
Aquí en la tierra como en el infierno / un guión de Carlos Pazos
document
2002
A02857
El mundo del ritmo / [litografías] Carlos Pazos ; [texto] Eduardo Mendoza
document
1998
A03092
Carlos Pazos. Entrevista [Bibiografia i investigació]
document
[1997-1998]
A.HIS.07697
Aquella noche volví a soñar con Bambi / Carlos Pazos [Postal]
document
1997
A.HIS.05232
El miedo es libre : memorabilia : notas a pie de objeto por Montserrat Cuchillo / Carlos Pazos
document
1990
A.GCI.0182
L'Amour latent / [photos] Carlos Pazos ; [text] Vicenç Altaió
document
1990
A01621
Sólo tú / Carlos Pazos
document
1990
A03830
L'Amour latent / [photos] Carlos Pazos ; [text] Vicenç Altaió
document
1990
A03148
Jardín compartido / [grabado/collage] Carlos Pazos ; [textos] María Vela
document
1989
A03145
Carles Pazos : a la intimitat : collecció de deu postals / Carlos Pazos ; [text extret del Morning Cronicle ; traduït per Toni Marí]
document
1977
A.GCI.0125
Carlos Pazos/Xavier Olivé
document
1975
A.GTR.0419
Ràfols Casamada
document
[1975]
A07809
1219 mᵌ
document
[1972?]
A.GTR.0009
[Descripció del projecte "1219 mᵌ"]
document
[1972?]
A.GTR.0002
[Composició fotogràfica 1]
document
[1972?]
A.GTR.0015
1219 mᵌ
document
[1972?]
A.GTR.0008
1219 mᵌ x 45' x 9
document
[1972?]
A.GTR.0005
[Composició fotogràfica 2]
document
[1972?]
A.GTR.0017
[Descripció del projecte "1219 mᵌ"]
document
[1972?]
A.GTR.0012
1219 mᵌ
document
[1972?]
A.GTR.0010
[Composició fotogràfica 2]
document
[1972?]
A.GTR.0016
1219 mᵌ
document
[1972?]
A.GTR.0011
1219 mᵌ x 45' x 9
document
[1972?]
A.GTR.0004
1219 mᵌ x 45' x 9
document
[1972?]
A.GTR.0013
[Composició fotogràfica 1]
document
[1972?]
A.GTR.0014
1219 mᵌ
document
[1972?]
A.GTR.0006
1219 mᵌ
document
[1972?]
A.GTR.0003
[Fotografía en acetat "1219 mᵌ"]
document
[1972?]
A.GTR.0025
[Fotografies "12319 mᵌ"]
document
[1972?]
A.GTR.0024
1219 mᵌ
document
[1972?]
A.GTR.0007
6 records / Carlos Pazos
document
[1972]
A08208
6 records / Carlos Pazos
document
[1972]
A10900
Boleto para votar : acto de participación 22 de octubre 1971 : Pazos - Puppo - Muntadas
document
1971
A07314