Infografismo E21 2001

Rene Bertholo made this Infografismo E21. While the exact date and medium are unknown, its visual style suggests it was likely made in the late 20th century, perhaps as a print or mixed media work. The imagery includes what appears to be a series of stylized figures or objects arranged in a grid-like pattern. One can see repeated motifs, such as what looks like torsos with red sweaters, dismembered robotic limbs, and small boxes adorned with symbols. The piece uses the visual language of information graphics, pointing to the increasing role of data in contemporary life. Bertholo was Portuguese, living through a dictatorship before becoming part of a generation of artists that sought new languages in a post revolutionary era. Given this context, the arrangement of these visual elements might evoke a critical perspective on the industrialization and automation of society, and possibly even a critique of institutions. To fully understand this work, one could consult Bertholo’s biography, analyze his other works, and investigate the visual culture of Portugal at the time. In this way, we can better interpret the complex visual language and social commentary that this artwork offers.