RASTROJOS

Cyclicity of history and the duality of beauty and decay.

Roots as a metaphor for Human History.
The dry and disordered roots symbolize not only the waste and wreckage of past civilizations, but also the hidden foundations of our history. The waste and roots of previous civilizations support and form the basis of the current one, despite being forgotten and buried in time.
This symbolism connects us to the past, suggesting that our foundations, although messy and dry, are still essential for our present existence; (The knowledge of our History).

Art Nouveau and Gold Leaf: The Art Nouveau ornaments and the use of gold leaf not only represent the prosperity, beauty, and fantasy of the Belle Époque, but also the human tendency to embellish and mask decay with a facade of wealth and beauty. This overlay indicates that times of prosperity generally coexist with harsher realities beneath the surface.

Cyclicity of History: The title “Rastrojos” and the metaphor of wreckage after the harvest extend to represent the eternal cycle of construction, decay, and reconstruction in human history. Each cycle of prosperity and war leaves behind not only physical waste but also consequences that form the basis of the next cycle.

Reflection on Modernity: The work invites viewers to reflect on the current state of our society: We build on the ruins of the past, always destined to repeat the same cycles of prosperity and decline. Despite our advances, we remain trapped in cyclical patterns.

Duality of Aesthetics and Decomposition: The visual contrast between the dry roots and the golden ornaments symbolizes the duality between beauty and decomposition, the ephemeral nature of opulence versus the persistence of waste. This duality provokes us to reflect on History, Progress, and decay.

Civilizations are living organisms that are born, grow, reach a peak, and then decline.