MASP

José Patrício follows a repetitive approach in creating his works: accumulating small objects and arranging them onto a surface according to a predetermined order. The rules may involve variations in color, size, or number, as long as each work consists of the same type of object. Items such as dice, dominos, pens, buttons, and others are reinterpreted and considered mainly for their visual aspects, even though their original functions and symbolic values can still be recognized. The almost compulsive sequencing results in drawings and color patterns, geometric compositions that emphasize two-dimensionality while acknowledging the total materiality of the piece. There is no tonal variation in Blind Work, its regular surface highlights the subtle texture created by the 15,624 copper tacks. Mathematically speaking, the work is formed by lines and columns of 125 units, creating a square that is uniform except for the center, where an empty space guides the gaze and acts as a centripetal force, directing the visual focus. Due to conservation considerations, the work is framed under glass and cannot be touched, despite the title suggesting a tactile interaction – a contradiction that reflects the challenges faced by the museum in terms of preservation and public interaction.

— Teo Teotônio, assistant curator, MASP, 2023

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