"PLAGIO" is a multidisciplinary exploration that investigates the dynamic
interplay between human activity and objects carried by waterbodies. Set
against the backdrop of a sand tongue formed where the river meets the ocean
in Porto, the narrative examines the tension between the natural and artificial,
the spontaneous and constructed, the divine and human. The artist's
perspective serves as a lens through which observation and creation engage in
continuous dialogue. Natural elements and traces of human activity become
sources of inspiration, giving rise to a new imaginary.
The series constructs a narrative that unveils the elements of this *plagio*,
intertwined with images of assemblages created from discoveries made during
field visits. These elements are meticulously documented through photography,
either in the controlled environment of the studio or directly within the
landscape. Central to the process is the emulsion lift technique, a
transformative method that turns printed photographs into delicate,
translucent skins. Using water as a medium, these photographic skins are
carefully removed from their original surfaces and transferred onto found
objects or glass sheets.
This artistic process achieves a delicate balance, encapsulating an imagined
state that underscores the fragility of the ecosystem under examination. The
juxtaposition of found objects with lifted photographic skins creates a visual
harmony, rendering the tension between nature and human intervention
palpable. Each piece captures a moment suspended in time, prompting
reflection on the intricate relationship between human presence and the
environment.
Through "PLAGIO," the artist navigates the boundaries of creation and
observation, presenting a narrative that transcends the dichotomies of the
natural and artificial. Water, as a transformative element, echoes the fleeting
nature of ecosystems, highlighting their vulnerability to human impact. In this
exploration, the artist not only documents the physicality of the landscape but
also engages in a profound meditation on the interconnectedness of nature
and human influence—a fragile equilibrium preserved in each meticulously
crafted image.
