Tabuleiro
Arquitecturas de la locura
Artist name
Artist year born
1920
Artist year deceased
2013
Artwork make date
1981-2000
Artwork title translation
Board
Architecture of Madness
Architecture of Madness
Artwork material
paper
diazotype
diazotype
Artwork dimensions
height: 107cm
width: 107cm
width: 107cm
Artwork type (categories)
Print
Accession method
Donated by León Ferrari 2001
Accession number
10:2-2001
Label text
Tabuleiro is one of a number of works on paper that Ferrari denominates Arquitecturas de la locura (Architectures of Madness), these are commonly composed of identikit characters representing men and women, seen from above and posed as if walking. In this example their repetition creates chessboard-like squares, which differ in relation to the orientation of the figures: alternating as the figures walk across the paper towards the right, to the left, upwards or down. These little people group mindlessly according to shared sense of direction, and Ferrari is perhaps suggesting that these figures (although they may seem to be behaving madly) are no different from us humans: identifying with and following those who 'walk the same walk'. Ferrari's interest in shared rules and games is also evident within his sculptural work; he has produced pieces that place plaster figures or toys within the squares of chessboards, creating their own new moves within the classical game.
As with the rest of the series, this work is a reproduction, made using heliography (a technique employed by architects to reproduce from blueprint plans). The original work can thus be multiplied ad infinitum, reflecting Ferrari's desire to make access to these architectures unlimited, and thus to also excise any material value from their status as works of art.
Gabriela Salgado
As with the rest of the series, this work is a reproduction, made using heliography (a technique employed by architects to reproduce from blueprint plans). The original work can thus be multiplied ad infinitum, reflecting Ferrari's desire to make access to these architectures unlimited, and thus to also excise any material value from their status as works of art.
Gabriela Salgado
Last updated date
2008