Utopia Or Oblivion from "Materials Lab" 2015

Curator: Fernanda Fragateiro’s "Utopia Or Oblivion" from the "Materials Lab" series offers a compelling visual interplay of form and shadow. What springs to mind for you upon seeing it? Editor: Immediately, this subdued palette evokes a sense of calm contemplation, like staring at clouds and letting your thoughts just wander. The clean lines also suggest a sort of architectural blueprint. Curator: The title is a direct reference to Buckminster Fuller. Fragateiro is deeply engaged with his utopian architectural visions and the visual language of modernism. You see the influence? Editor: Absolutely. The floating blocks in the photo have this futuristic vibe, but the blank space in the lower box is unsettling, like potential unfulfilled, or maybe even repressed. Curator: It's a fascinating tension, isn't it? The work serves as a meditation on the legacy of utopian ideals in our contemporary moment. Is it a promise, or a warning? Editor: Perhaps both, which is why it resonates. It’s not just a beautiful object, but a poignant reminder to build something meaningful while we still can. Curator: A fitting reflection, indeed.