“Keys”
Keys
(SKU. 402)
-
Date
2013 -
Technique
wooden box and gold plated key -
Dimensions
(H x W x D) 25 x 20 x 5 cm -
Edition
30
Couldn't load pickup availability
What is this key, and what does it open? It is a gold-plated key. It reads “KEYS”. It is a semiotic play on the artist’s name and the object: sign, signifier and signified. Opening up other possibilities for thinking about language.
Biography
Marcos Chaves
Marcos Chaves began his work in the 1980s, when painting and photography occupied central places in his artistic practice. One of the hallmarks of his work is the use of various media, which freely moves between the production of objects, videos, installations, works in public spaces and sculptures. Marcos' work is in line with his deeply critical thinking and, despite its coherence, remains open to interpretation, especially due to the marked presence of humor and irony.
In his works, which are mainly based on photography, he frequently appropriates small elements, language or scenes from everyday life, which directly or through small interventions demonstrate the extraordinary nature that can inhabit the prosaic. This is the case of the “Buracos” series, photographs of large holes found in unmaintained streets, or the “Retratos” series, composed of photos of brooms that, leaning against the wall, take on human expressions.
Another frequent theme in the artist's work is the city of Rio de Janeiro. His work is part of the long tradition of artists who challenge the relationship between image and language by proposing, for example, subtly ambiguous and amusing titles that lead to a humorous reflection on society and culture.
Some of his recent solo exhibitions include: Marcos Chaves: “the images that tell us”, at the Museum of Modern Art of Rio de Janeiro (MAM Rio) (2021); Marcos Chaves at MAR, at the Rio Art Museum (2019), in Rio de Janeiro; “I only sell the view”, at the Museum of Contemporary Art of Niterói (MAC-Niterói) (2017), in Rio de Janeiro; “Marcos Chaves”, at Carpe Diem Arte e Pesquisa (2016), in Lisbon, Portugal, and “Marcos Chaves – ARBOLABOR”, at the Caja de Burgos Art Center (CAB), in Burgos, Spain.
She has presented works at the 17th Cerveira Biennale, Portugal (2013), 54th Venice Biennale, Italy (2011); Manifesta 7, Italy (2008), and also in the group shows: “Utopias and dystopias”, at the Museum of Modern Art of Bahia (MAM-BA) (2022), in Salvador, Brazil; “Inside the Collection – Approaching Thirty Years of the Centro Pecci” (2018), Prato, Italy; “Troposphere – Chinese and Brazilian Contemporary Art”, Beijing Minsheng Art Museum (2017), Beijing, China; “Brasil, Beleza?! Contemporary Brazilian Sculpture”, Museum Beelden aan Zee (2016), The Hague, Netherlands. Her works are part of the following collections, among others: Centro de Arte de Caja de Burgos (CAB), Burgos, Spain; Instituto Itaú Cultural, São Paulo; Rio de Janeiro Museum of Modern Art (MAM-Rio), Rio de Janeiro; The Ella Fontanals-Cisneros Collection, Miami, USA.
Representative galleries
Nara Roesler Gallery , Sao Paulo
Destaques da carreira
-
Duas vistas da instalação "Logradouro": exposição individual no Itaú Cultural, São Paulo em 2001 e no Museu Vale do Rio Doce, Vila Velha em 2002
-
"Eu só vendo a vista", trabalho múltiplo e intervenção urbana | 1997 | Rio de Janeiro, RJ
-
“The Laughing Room” | 2007 | Exposição “All About Laughter - The Role of the Humor in Contemporary Art” | Mori Art Museum, Tóquio, Japão “The Laughing Room” | 2007 | Exposição “All About Laughter - The Role of the Humor in Contemporary Art” | Mori Art Museum, Tóquio, Japão
-
“Morrendo de Rir” | 2002 | XXV Bienal de São Paulo, SP
