Mariano ‘Tute’ Di Tella, a mechanic, crafts symbolic chainsaws for political leaders, recently delivering one to President Javier Milei for Elon Musk. While supporting Milei’s efforts, Di Tella expresses concerns about the economic impact of job cuts resulting from the reforms. He emphasizes the chainsaw as a symbol of necessary change and reflects on his personal hardships amid these political transitions.
Mariano ‘Tute’ Di Tella, a 45-year-old mechanic, recently made a significant delivery, taking a subway journey in Buenos Aires alongside his son Milo to present a custom-made chainsaw to President Javier Milei. This chainsaw, crafted from aluminum and bronze, was intended for Elon Musk at the Conservative Political Action Conference, where Musk proclaimed it to be “the chainsaw of all bureaucracy.”
Di Tella expresses pride in his creations, viewing the chainsaws as symbols of the impactful changes Milei advocates. He stated, “The chainsaw is an instrument of power that I made so that he can make a change and not just an economic change.” Currently, Di Tella is also working on a chainsaw for Donald Trump, having been commissioned by Milei’s spokesman. He notably constructed Musk’s chainsaw in a record 20 days, incorporating “Viva La Libertad Carajo!” into the design.
Although Di Tella does not identify with any political group, he supports Milei’s efforts to revitalize Argentina’s economy. He acknowledges that his improved financial situation stems from securing a second job while expressing admiration for Milei’s candidacy. He stated, “I saw him euphoric, rabid, genuinely fed up and I felt reflected.” Despite the chainsaw’s presence in Milei’s office, Di Tella has not yet met the president and finds it fitting to remain unrecognized by him.
Financial impacts from Milei’s policies have affected Di Tella as well, with increased maintenance charges for his apartment. He journeys by bus to repair jobs and earns additional income as a brand ambassador for chainsaws. Di Tella has not sought or received payment for his custom creations, emphasizing, “Money doesn’t have any power over my art.”
While he supports Milei, Di Tella expresses concern regarding the repercussions of job cuts resulting from the government’s reforms. He noted a desire for greater caution, stating, “I wouldn’t like that it hurts people, just that it fixes the things that are wrong.” Di Tella has faced hardships himself, losing a job before the pandemic and relying on family support after being denied welfare assistance.
Having developed a fascination with chainsaws from an early age, Di Tella credits both his childhood experiences and film inspiration as catalysts for his passion. He refers to chainsaws as symbols of necessary change, specifying, “The chainsaw is a symbol of change. It’s not violent, it’s change.”
Overall, Di Tella’s journey reflects the intersection of art, politics, and economic realities in contemporary Argentina, underscoring the profound symbolism encapsulated within his handcrafted chainsaws.
This article chronicles Mariano Di Tella’s journey as he creates custom chainsaws for political figures, expressing both support and concern for the changes instigated by President Milei. Di Tella’s personal experiences illuminate the broader socio-economic challenges faced in Argentina, and his work has become a symbolic representation of the quest for radical change within the nation’s political landscape.
Original Source: www.batimes.com.ar
