ARTTYCO TALKS
Mareo invites us to explore the spiritual essence of matter and the quiet language of cracks, voids, and change.
ARTTYCO TALKS | June 30, 2025
EPISODE #1: MAREO
1. Can you walk us through the concept behind Portals?
How does this series reflect your fascination with natural forces and spiritual evolution?
M: Portals explores the interplay between the physical and the metaphysical.
It draws inspiration from natural phenomena—cracks, ruptures, and wavy lines found in landscapes like mountains, canyons, and rivers. These elements are metaphors for the cycles of separation, connection, and transformation that define our existence. For me, they represent the journey of the human spirit—moving through phases of detachment and evolution, much like the natural processes that shape the Earth.
"Walength" Times art museum, China. 2022.
2. The wavy lines and cracks in Portals are incredibly symbolic. What inspired you to use these forms as metaphors for connection, separation, and transformation?
M: These forms came to me while observing the raw power and beauty of nature. A crack, for instance, can be seen as a break but also as an opening—a portal to something beyond. The wavy lines remind me of the fluidity of energy, constantly in motion. They symbolize the tension between opposing forces: creation and destruction, union and division. Through these shapes, I aim to bridge the physical landscape and the spiritual realm, showing how deeply intertwined they are.
Istanbul art triennale, 2022.
The void speaks softly when we dare to face it.
3. Your work blends physical mediums with digital elements. How does this interplay enhance the experience of Portals for your audience?
M: Integrating digital elements allows me to expand the sensory experience of my work. By using animations and immersive technologies, viewers are invited to not just see the artwork but to feel as if they're stepping into it. This digital dimension mirrors the concept of a portal—it’s an entry point into a different state of being or perception. It’s my way of making the metaphysical more tangible, giving the audience a moment of transcendence.
Fragments in motion. Material, light, and shadow converge.
4. As an artist who bridges themes of nature and spirituality, how do you hope viewers will emotionally or intellectually engage with the works in Portals?
M: I hope the audience feels a sense of wonder and introspection. These works are an invitation to pause, reflect, and connect with something larger than ourselves. I want viewers to see beyond the physicality of the materials and think about their own personal journeys—their moments of transformation, connection, and evolution. If Portals can evoke a feeling of transcendence or inspire deeper thought about the relationship between nature and the soul, then I’ve achieved my goal.
Concept for an installation by Mareo Rodríguez.
The immersive installation "Portals" invites viewers to step into the unknown and experience the tension between light and shadow.
5. Portals represents your exploration of metaphysical evolution. How do you see this series fitting into the broader trajectory of your artistic journey?
M: Portals is a pivotal point in my journey. It encapsulates many of the themes I’ve been exploring over the years—duality, transformation, and the connection between humanity and the Earth. It also represents a leap forward in my integration of digital and traditional mediums, which is something I’m deeply passionate about. Looking ahead, I see Portals as a foundation for future explorations into even more immersive, multi-dimensional art forms. It’s a continuation of my quest to merge the natural and spiritual worlds in a way that resonates with our collective consciousness.
"Portals" by Mareo Rodríguez at Load Gallery: an immersive exploration of light, shadow, and the transformative power of cracks.
