The phrase, “Since you already like Bacardi one way, chances are you’ll like it all ways,” was a defining slogan of a 1970s Bacardi advert, which Perez has masterfully reinterpreted...
The phrase, “Since you already like Bacardi one way, chances are you’ll like it all ways,” was a defining slogan of a 1970s Bacardi advert, which Perez has masterfully reinterpreted in this evocative painting. The work encapsulates the seductive allure of vintage liquor advertisements, capturing their exuberant charm while simultaneously invoking a sense of nostalgia. Perez’s composition subtly reflects a personal resonance, perhaps alluding to his Puerto Rican heritage, where rum holds both social and cultural significance as the national spirit. At the heart of the composition, a vibrant orange cocktail stands in stark contrast to the surrounding group of meticulously rendered, transparent glasses and bottles, commanding the viewer’s attention. This central element, glowing with saturated colour, anchors the scene, highlighting the visual and emotional appeal that characterised mid-20th-century advertising. Perez’s deft handling of light and reflection conjures a dreamlike quality, echoing the glossy, outlandish allure of the past, while offering a deeper meditation on memory, desire, and cultural identity.