II. Hymne à l'amour - Multidisciplinary Art
Sugar Iris specializes in creating unique and captivating visual art pieces, love letters, poetry, and music that touch the soul and ignite the imagination. Her work is inspired by universal love, and she strives to bring a touch of tenderness to every project.
Passion - Multidisciplinary Art
Multidisciplinary project
The Passion project is inherently multidisciplinary, blending various artistic disciplines to create a rich and immersive experience. While the main focus of the exhibitions was on the painting artworks, the artist Sugar Iris also incorporated other forms of expression. This combination of visual art, performance, video, digital media, and audience participation underscores the project's diverse and interdisciplinary approach to exploring themes of love and passion.
AUS1F2.3C-2000-Passion-01, paintings
"Passion" is a captivating series of paintings and collages created with mixed techniques by artist Sugar Iris Aggeler. This body of work explores themes of love, passion, sensuality, and romance, blending vibrant imagery and dynamic compositions. Inspired by pop art, Pin-Up art, and and influenced by artists such as Robert Rauschenberg, Iris's work fuses bold colors and layered textures to evoke intense emotional experiences. The project has been showcased in exhibitions across Germany, Slovakia, Chiapas, Oaxaca, and Mexico City, highlighting its widespread resonance. Additionally, Sugar Iris was awarded a grant as a young painter by FONCA in recognition of her innovative approach and compelling storytelling through "Passion."
AUS1F2.3C-2000-Passion-02, 2D digital art
The 2D digital artworks in the Passion project typically consisted of printed epistles that combined the text of Sugar Iris's love letters with various visual elements. These artworks integrated design, photography, and reproductions of paintings to create a layered and visually engaging presentation. By blending written messages with artistic imagery, these pieces enhanced the emotional and aesthetic impact of the love letters, contributing to the overall multidisciplinary nature of the exhibition.
AUS1F2.3C-2000-Passion-03, video art
The video art pieces in the Passion project included videos of Sugar Iris reading her love epistles, creating an intimate and expressive connection with the audience. Some videos also featured her performance art, capturing live actions and interactions that complemented the overall themes of love and passion. These video works added a dynamic and multimedia dimension to the exhibition, enriching the multidisciplinary experience.
AUS1F2.3C-2000-Passion-04, installation
The exhibitions usually featured installations and one notable piece was a interactive mailbox installation, where visitors could take one of Sugar's love letters or write and send her their own in situ.
AUS1F2.3C-2000-Passion-05, live performance
During the inaugurations, she often performed live action pieces, engaging the audience directly.
Love, love (Amor, @mor) - Multidisciplinary project
AUS1F2.3C-2003-Love-01, book, epistolary (Amor, @mor", in Spanish)
"Love, Love" is a book that presents a compelling collection of love letters by Sugar Iris Aggeler that explore the depths of relationships, sexuality, and sensuality. The project also examines the role of women in society through the lens of art and personal reflection, celebrating love in all its forms. These passionate love letters are a timeless expression of deep emotion and desire, capturing the intensity and intimacy of a romantic connection.
AUS1F2.3C-2004-Love-02, epistolary podcast ("Contestadora Erótica"", in Spanish)
From the book, a radio podcast was created and broadcasted on Radio in Chiapas, titled "The Erotic Answering Machine." In this podcast, Sugar Iris is featured as she leaves a message on an answering machine, reading her heartfelt love letters. This innovative project brings her emotions and stories to life through the medium of radio, allowing listeners to experience her feelings and the depth of her affection in a unique and intimate way.
AUS1F2.3C-2003-Love-03, audio letters ("Amor, @mor", in Spanish)
Do you wonder: how to Love a Woman?, or; how does a woman love? What about the Intimacy and the Erotic Lives of Women? You will find some very sweet and poetic answers in the artist Soundcloud.
AUS1F2.3C-2003-Love-04, music "Sugar Passion"
Experimental sound poetry with electronic music and mariachi. You can listen to it at the artist Soundcloud.
AUS1F2.3C-2017-Love-05, music, some of the songs at the "Cor!" album
AUS1F2.3C-2004-OnceUponaTime
The 2004 conceptual theater piece "Once upon a time" by Iris Aggeler was a provocative performance in Mexico City that used fairy tales to explore themes of women's rights, societal silence, fear, and utopia. Written and directed by Iris, this show aimed to blend fantasy, myth, psychology, and dreams to challenge societal norms and envision eternal happiness. The script reimagined fairy tale characters receiving an invitation to the kingdom of Conceptual Theater. Tales' characters serve as metaphors for societal anxieties, and silenced voices, creating a poetic critique of contemporary issues through mythic and utopian lenses.
Featuring performances by Sugar Iris Aggeler, Carlos-Blas Galindo and Paola. Music by Daniel Meléndez Martínez and Jesús Navarrete,
Pin up Kitsch Portraits - Mini Photo Book
AUS1F2.3C-2005-PhotoBook
Sugar Iris's 2005 Pin up Kitsch Portraits in her mini photo book exemplify her playful and provocative approach to self-exposure and erotica, blending vintage pin-up aesthetics with contemporary kitsch. Her collaboration with photographers Carlos Blas Galindo and Karoll Rellstab enriches this work, emphasizing a vibrant, self-empowered expression of sexuality. Aggeler's art often explores themes of self-identity and sensuality, challenging traditional norms through her bold, colorful imagery that celebrates femininity and erotic self-expression. The small-format publication enhances the intimacy and personal nature of her work, inviting viewers to engage with her provocative self-portraiture.
Will You Gift Me Your Panties, Please? - Conceptual art action & installation
AUS1F2.3C-2005-Panties
In this provocative and conceptual artwork, Sugar Iris invites a personal act into the realm of visual and performance art. She asked her male friends to gift her their underwear, which she then transformed into a patchwork, symbolizing intimacy, trust, and the boundaries of personal space. This patchwork piece was exhibited as part of a solo installation at the Erotic Festival in Mexico City, blending visual arts, conceptual exploration, and performance. Through this act, Sugar Iris challenges notions of privacy, desire, and the societal taboos surrounding sexuality, turning an everyday gesture into a powerful statement on vulnerability and the exchange of intimacy. The work invites viewers to reflect on the personal and cultural significance of clothing, body, and consent within the context of art and society.
Related publications (in Spanish):
¿Me regalas tu calzón por favor? 2011. Escáner Cultural. Chile
Hipersexual. Instalación y performance en el 1o y 2o Festival de Cine Erótico en México. (artes visuales, conceptuales, escénicas). https://discursovisual.net/dvweb04/diversa/divexpgimenez.htm
AUS1F2.3C-2005-BigBrother
Big Brother Casting Performance, is a piece of Contemporary Performance Art—specifically, Media-Performance and Situational Art. This action blurs the boundaries between art, media spectacle, and social critique, employing the performative act of participating in a popular reality TV casting as a deliberate artistic gesture. It functions as a critique of spectacle culture, the commodification of identity, and the superficiality of conventional notions of genius and value in the art world.
The performative act of engaging with Big Brother's casting process transforms the typical media event into a site of artistic intervention, challenging the audience to reconsider notions of authenticity, celebrity, and the role of artists within mass media. Aggeler's act exemplifies a strategic use of performance to question societal and cultural paradigms, positioning her work within the tradition of Political and Media Art, which employs performance, irony, and media engagement to provoke thought and dialogue.
This piece also aligns with Conceptual Performance, where the idea and context take precedence over traditional aesthetic concerns, emphasizing the performer's role as an agent of critique and disruption. It's a provocative act that uses the spectacle of reality TV casting to expose and subvert the superficial criteria of selection, making her participation an explicit commentary on the relationship between art, media, and societal expectations.
Media Coverage:
AUS1F2.4D-2005-PerformerforBigBrother
Carlos Martínez Rentería, Carlos. (2005) Performance in the competition for Big Brother 3. Salón Palacio, La Jornada. México.
AUS1F2.4D-2005-TV
Several television programs also covered Iris's participation in the Big Brother casting, although we do not have the specific dates or broadcast details.
Pink Serenade - Paintings
AUS1F2.3C-2006-Pink
Acrylic / canvas. 8 x 12' / 20 x 30 cm.
"Pink Serenade" by Sugar Iris Aggeler is a captivating collection of acrylic paintings on canvas. Utilizing a vibrant palette of pinks and reds, the works blend abstract and figurative elements to create ornamental compositions. Through these varied paintings, Aggeler invites viewers into a dreamlike serenade of pink, and tenderness in a visual dialogue.
AUS1F2.3C-2008-Hugs
In this heartfelt act of activism for love and human connection, Sugar Iris orchestrated a powerful performance along Reforma Street in Mexico City. Although she was not physically present, her spirit and message were deeply embedded in the action. She issued a call to her friends and fellow participants to embody her vision of compassion, warmth, and openness by offering free hugs to passersby.
This live performance transformed the busy urban avenue into a space of vulnerability and tenderness, challenging societal norms and promoting kindness in a public, accessible setting. Through this act, Sugar Iris emphasized that love is a collective, active force—one that can be expressed beyond words and physical presence. Her "Free Hugs" intervention became a symbol of unity, emotional liberation, and the power of human touch as a form of activism for love in everyday life.
AUS1F2.3C-2009-2010-OmSugar
This playful and kitsch aesthetic piece captures Sugar Iris's whimsical exploration of everyday life through a series of intertwined actions and poetic soundscape. The performance alternates between her engaging with local residents—drawing their attention with her vibrant presence—and a photoshoot session that emphasizes a colorful, almost surreal visual language. Accompanying these actions is a poetic sound piece titled "Rezo, seno, sexo, besos" ("Pray, breast, sex, kisses"), which infuses the work with an erotic and intimate undertone.
In her Cuernavaca tour, Sugar is irresistibly attracted to roses, toy horses, and bridal dresses, which she incorporates into her playful interactions. She approaches passersby, inviting curiosity and engagement, while also wandering to the old railway station to enjoy beers and play on nearby slides, where she is observed by local children. She also greets viewers from a window in one of the old train cars, creating a sense of intimacy and nostalgia. At one point, she attempts to sell salami, cheese, or eggs, prompting a humorous interaction where, upon silence, she questions, "What are you doing here if you're not going to buy?"—introducing a flirtatious, double-edged humor characteristic of her performative approach. As the sunset unfolds, she continues her improvisation, engaging friends in a lively exchange filled with playful innuendo, all while enjoying cocktails and the fleeting magic of the moment.
Women who love too much -video performatic book review
AUS1F2.3C-2010-Women
In this kitsch and evocative artwork, Sugar Iris presents a performative review of the book Women Who Love Too Much, using dolls and storytelling to explore themes of love, dependency, and self-awareness among women in relationships. Through playful yet critical imagery, she reflects on how women often accept less love than they deserve, highlighting the need for recognition and empowerment. The performance encourages women to learn how to identify unhealthy patterns, survive emotional challenges, and transform dependency into personal growth.
By blending humor, vulnerability, and critique, Sugar Iris creates a space for reflection on women's issues in love—emphasizing that growth comes from awareness and self-love. Her work serves as a reminder that healing and transformation are possible, turning emotional dependency into opportunities for strength and renewal. This piece is both a call for empowerment and a celebration of women's resilience in navigating love's complex terrain.
Venus Genetrix - Performance Art Documentary
AUS1F2.3C-2010-Venus
"Venus Genetrix" by Sugar Iris Aggeler is a compelling performance art documentary that explores the intricate semiotics of femininity. Through powerful visual storytelling, the film addresses urgent social issues such as domestic violence caused by alcoholism, human rights, and the resilience of women. Interwoven with elements of pin-up creativity, the project seeks to challenge perceptions, celebrate feminine strength, and provoke critical dialogue about gender and societal norms.
Orgasms to go or to have here - Video Performance Art
AUS1F2.3C-2011-Orgasms
In this provocative and intimate piece, Sugar Iris creates a layered composition that intertwines visual, poetic, and sensory elements to explore themes of desire, pleasure, and vulnerability. The work features a series of photographs, including nostalgic images from her quinceañera celebration, juxtaposed with sensual visuals that evoke intimacy and longing. Over this visual montage, a voice-over delivers a poetic and love letter, rich with emotion and raw honesty, inviting viewers into a private dialogue on love.
The title "Orgasms to Go or to Have Here" challenges notions of instant gratification versus shared intimacy, blurring the boundaries between the personal and the performative. Through this evocative combination of imagery and voice, Sugar Iris invites us to reflect on the ways love and pleasure are commodified, yet deeply human, always deserving of presence and authenticity. The piece resonates as a bold, poetic exploration of desire's complex landscape, encouraging viewers to contemplate their own experiences of intimacy and connection.
I hope there are days when you fall in love - Poetry
Dear Ami - Epistolary
AUS1F2.3C-2024-IHopeThereAreDays
This poem is a heartfelt message filled with hope and positive wishes. It encourages us to stay true to our hearts, appreciate the beauty around us, and find joy in everyday miracles. May it inspire you to live with love and gratitude, and to embrace the wonder of being alive each day.
I hope your heart be true to yourself
and your loving human soul be smiling
I hope your endearing influence shines around you
and you see all the beautiful things in the world
I hope you like what you have to do
and always make a kind difference
I hope you be a giver
and always be grateful
I hope your daily water tastes like magic
and miracles show on your way
I hope God and angels send you perfect gifts
and you can always find reasons to dance
I hope life blesses you abundantly
in all things, at all times
I hope there are days when you fall in love
with being alive.
AUS1F2.3C-2025-DearAmi
"Dear Ami" is a heartfelt collection of friendship letters crafted by Sugar Iris Aggeler, embodying care, connection, and the enduring bond of friendship. Through these intimate messages, the project celebrates love, compassion, and the power of heartfelt communication.
Challenges and Triumphs in this Feminine Art Project
COLLABORATORS
Initiated around 1999, this project has spanned over more than 2 decades of continuous development, during which numerous conflicts and collaborations have arisen. The project has involved a diverse array of individuals—including colleagues, journalists, gallery directors, critics, actors, musicians, and cultural center or festival directors. Whenever possible, the author has requested collaborators to sign written agreements or releases to formalize their voluntary participation or exchange it for a symbolic gift. This measure aims to prevent disputes over authorship or the use of the work.
COMMON CONFLICTS
Given the inherently feminine and occasionally erotic nature of the project, it has sometimes elicited negative reactions, such as:
a) Recipients of the mail art letters mistakenly believing they are genuine love declarations, prompting requests for clarification from the author. The provocative nature of the content, combined with certain community sensitivities and the criticism or mockery aimed at the artist's attire or her willingness to express her feelings and thoughts publicly, has also been observed. Sugar Iris has maintained a stance of indifference towards unsolicited erotic requests and aggressive reactions, understanding that as a public figure, negative critique or the awakening of desire in some audiences is an inevitable consequence. Her strategy has been to avoid feeding trolls or voyeurs, focusing instead on sustaining her creative rhythm.
b) The challenges of maintaining a consistent documentary record, due to technological obsolescence and fragility. Financial and technological limitations have complicated archival efforts, but plans are underway to seek expert advice and support to address these issues.
ACHIEVEMENTS OF GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
Beyond creating a multidisciplinary body of work, the project has succeeded in addressing and dramatizing conflicts and problem-solving strategies within personal relationships. It has also served to disseminate a feminine philosophy of love and an erotism that, without descending into vulgarity or bad taste, stimulates desire and reflection.
AUDIENCE RECEPTION AND VIEWERSHIP NUMBERS
Decades of exposure have reached tens of thousands of viewers. This widespread dissemination has been facilitated through television channels such as Canal 11 and Latin America's Playboy channel, various media outlets—including print press and radio—and through international festivals dedicated to video and performance art, as well as online promotion. Additionally, the project has received favorable critical recognition within the specialized art community. For all these reasons, we consider it a successful and impactful endeavor.