Malu Fatorelli

Brazilian artist Malu Fatorelli is interested in the complexities of the relationship between space and architecture. Fatorelli, who was born and grew up in Rio de Janeiro, is trained in architecture, painting, communications and image technology. Her current work at Meridian Gallery presents a dialogue between fragments of past residue and their introduction to present place and experience. She works primarily in a technique called “rubbing.” Japanese paper is placed over a surface and graphite is rubbed across it to transfer the image. The rubbings shown here were first lifted from building 744/402 at the Headlands Center for the Arts during her three-month residency there in the Spring and Summer of 1999. The result is a sensual journey that traces through layers of corporeal memory and temporal strata. Covering one wall, small fragile sheets of the same Victorian architectural rubbing have been hung. The effect brings to mind china patterns or wedgewood. While I was there the window was slightly cracked, allowing a breeze to flow through and rustle the leaves of paper – further shaping the experience of the space and the work. Also of note are a series of small paintings of decorative architectural elements in reds, pinks, blues, and grays arranged in an open grid. Fatorelli draws awareness to our architectural environment and the ways in which physical, mental and emotional space can impact that connection.

Meridian Gallery
545 Sutter Street, San Francisco
Tues. – Sat. 11a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
(415) 398-7229 (Megan Wilson)