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malicia

September 5, 2006- September 30, 2006

Reception: September 7, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Fernando Mastrangelo

Rare

521 W 26th St

During a two-month visit to Brazil in 2005, conceptual artist Fernando Mastrangelo learned the dance-fight-game of capoeira, which inspired his monumental sculpture malicia (2006). Although the direct translation means malice or slyness, the concept of malicia is a philosophy of life within the context of the Afro-Brazilian tradition of capoeira. Capoeira is a form of combat that symbolizes the rising up of slaves who worked in the sugarcane fields. It was founded on spiritually hopeful music and the imitation of animalistic defense. Working torturous days in the fields, the slaves found solace in the forest at night, performing what the slave owners condoned as a form of Brazilian samba or ritualistic dance. In fact, capoeira was a lethal form of fighting that allowed the slaves to gain physical force, spiritual hope, and humanity through dancing and soaring music. By observing monkeys, spiders, jaguars, and scorpions and imitating their defense systems, the slaves achieved a kind of “super-human” physicality. They simultaneously conquered their spiritual misery and their physical weakness, which allowed them eventually to gain their freedom.

As advancements in science and technology work steadfastly to achieve human singularity, or perfect beings, Mastrangelo asks what misery are we trying to conquer. Instead of merely imitating animals, Mastrangelo suggests that someday we could be so free as to bloom into daisies, convert into airplanes, melt into the earth, or simply transform ourselves through suggestion.

Through the framework of 19th century German philosophy and Afro-Brazilian slave culture, malicia attempts to confront human perseverance in the face of the current political climate of war, oil, money, and the environment. Nihilistic man stands restricted, bearing only a façade of power, completely aware of his fate. Although his attempt to summon Mankind may seem fruitful, the scorpion-woman resists. Bound by his rope, she becomes resilient, and ready for attack, ultimately choosing malicia as her defense, yet sitting at the edge of Man’s abyss.

Mastrangelo received his BFA in sculpture from Cornish College of the Arts in 2002, and his MFA in sculpture from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2004. His show at RARE marks his gallery solo debut.

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Location map  Gallery Rare Address 521 W 26th St New York (Chelsea) NY, 10001 United States Phone 212-268-1520 Fax 212-268-1523 Hours Tue-Sat 12-6 Nearby: All 6 galleries at 521 W 26th St

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