Listening to Form: A Portrait of Carola Cintrón

In a world where art is often something to be seen, artist Carola Cintrón invites us to listen. The Puerto Rican artist has carved a distinctive niche in the contemporary art scene, where sound — a typically fleeting medium — takes center stage. Her work transcends traditional boundaries, creating a sensory dialogue that captivates both sight and sound.

During our recent conversation at her studio, Cintrón revealed her profound connection to materiality. Her installations, though appearing deceptively simple, are meticulously crafted vessels for sonic exploration. In this harmonious blend of the physical and auditory, she transforms everyday materials into resonant instruments. Each piece generates unique soundscapes that evoke memory, emotion, and a deep sense of place. 

Cintrón's path to sound art was not direct. Initially pursuing a career in communications, she harbored a persistent desire to become an artist. Her transition into the arts led her through photography, serigraphy (silk-screen printing), sculpture, and drawing — each medium expanding her artistic vocabulary. This diverse exploration, she explains, stems from her fundamental drive to push the boundaries of artistic expression. The pivotal moment came during an exhibition in Old San Juan, when she realized her sculptural installation needed something more: sound. This epiphany transformed her artistic trajectory, leading her to explore how sound interacts with both the human body and the surrounding environment — whether natural or architectural. 

Her installations now demand more than passive observation. They beckon viewers to lean in, to listen, to participate. By conceptualizing her works as instruments rather than static objects, Cintrón follows in the tradition of experimental artists like John Cage, whose prepared pianos challenged conventional musical forms, and Yoko Ono, whose interactive pieces broke down barriers between artist and audience. Her work particularly resonates with the Fluxus movement's emphasis on audience engagement and mixed-media experimentation, though she pushes these concepts into new territory.

The evolution of her practice is perhaps most evident in her work with clay. What began as a practical need to create a mold for a brass casting has, over five years, become central to her artistic expression. Cintrón's relationship with this medium goes beyond mere craftsmanship — she harvests and processes local soil, documenting each step in a process that is both scientific and deeply personal. Under her guidance, clay transcends its traditional role, becoming both a literal and metaphorical instrument for exploring the relationships between form, space, and vibration. This unconventional fusion of ceramics and sound breaks new ground in contemporary art, offering audiences both tactile and auditory experiences that challenge their perceptions. 

Through her work, Cintrón poses essential questions about our relationship with sound: How can we uncover the hidden acoustics of our environment? How do different materials and tools reveal these usually imperceptible sounds? Most importantly, how do these sonic discoveries reshape our understanding of the spaces we inhabit?

After nearly 20 years of exploring sound, Cintrón continues to refine her practice, yet her work remains a powerful testament to art’s ability to engage on multiple levels, reminding us that beauty can be heard just as profoundly as it can be seen. 

Carola Cintrón's work will be available in our store during MECA Arthop, beginning November 17th through November 24th. Explore a current selection of her work here.