Helena Almeida | Chema Madoz. Inhabited Designs

Description

The title of the exhibition pays homage to Helena Almeida’s Desenho habitado, the first series in which she used photography. It also draws upon the original concept of design in its Renaissance meaning, which refers both to the drawing itself as well as to the project and the mental process of translating an artist’s idea into work, a practice that accurately defines the fascinating work of these artists.

The peculiarity that both Almeida and Madoz made sketches is possibly related to their shared interest in the intimate and experiential. Both artists made countless sketches—which did not always materialize into works—as a first step towards materializing their ideas through pencil and paper. This exhibition highlights the intrinsic value of these drawings as mere and beautiful sketches, the end result coming to life through photography.

Almeida sometimes intervenes in her work with carefully executed brushstrokes or pencil strokes, and always fascinates us with her study of reflection and theatricality.

Madoz draws in the personal notebooks he has kept over the years, which are being shown for the first time in this exhibition alongside some of the objects he assembles by hand. Thus, his sketches become objects and his objects become images, with his characteristic style and fascinating touches.