Rits before 2009

This print, simply titled 'Rits' by Miguel-Ángel Cárdenas, presents a complex tapestry of life and containment. At its heart, a zippered frame encloses a medley of fish, leaves, and floral elements. The zipper—a symbol of closure—evokes a primal act of sealing away a chaotic vitality. This harkens back to ancient myths where forces of nature are subdued and confined, like Pandora’s box or the binding of spirits. Yet, the snake-like form writhing from the zipper suggests that such containment is never absolute. The life force, that 'élan vital', is irrepressible, constantly seeking to break free. The fish, a symbol of abundance and transformation, coexist with delicate leaves and blossoms, evoking the transient nature of life. Think of Botticelli’s 'Primavera', where flora bursts forth as an allegory of rebirth. The symbolic zipper imprisons the image itself within a modern framework, highlighting a continuous cycle of concealment and revelation. Cárdenas reminds us that the subconscious is not easily restrained.