Ameaças Domésticas
A série Ameaças Domésticas, de pinturas em pastel-sobre -lixa, usa arte folclórica Mexicana -máscaras esculpidas em madeira, animais, figuras em papel machê e brinquedos- em uma vívida mistura de realidade e fantasia. Em viagens ao México e Guatemala passo muito tempo em lojas de máscaras, mercados e bazares locais, procurando as figuras que mais tarde povoarão minhas pinturas. Gosto de pegar objetos com um passado Mexicano único- a maioria foi utilizada em vários festivais religiosos- e lhes dar uma segunda vida, por assim dizer, em Nova York, no presente. Quando eu volto para casa, leio prodigiosamente e descubro o máximo que posso sobre eles. Uso esses objetos não só como substitutos para atores humanos, mas como símbolos potentes: uma amálgama de memórias da infância, sonhos meio esquecidos e imagens encontradas na literatura, na arte pré-colombiana e no cinema (especialmente filmes mudos alemães, filmes de Alfred Hitchcock e Orson Welles). Este trabalho vem evoluindo há mais de uma década. As imagens são autobiográficas e muito pessoais, mas levam a associações universais.
(Continua abaixo)
domestic threats new
A Promise Meant to be Broken - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 58" x 38" (147 x 97 cm) - Framed 70' x 50' (178 x 127 cm) - 2007
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/apromisemeanttobebroken.jpg
Scene Twenty One: Living Room - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 20" x 26" (51 x 66 cm) - Framed 28.5" x 35" (72 x 89 cm) - 2006
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/scenetwentyonelivingroom800px.jpg
Scene Twenty: Living Room - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 26" x 20" (66 x 51 cm) - Framed 35" x 28.5" (89 x 72 cm) - 2006
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/scenetwentylivingroom.jpg
Scene Nineteen: Living Room - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 20" x 26" (51 x 66 cm) - Framed 28.5" x 35" (72 x 89 cm) - 2006
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/scenenineteenlivingroom.jpg
Sometimes He Still Tried To Restrain Her - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 50" x 38" (127 x 96.5 cm) - Framed 70" x 50" (178 x 127 cm) - 2005
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/sometimeshestilltried.jpg
Scene Eighteen: Living Room - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 26" x 20" (51 x 66 cm) - Framed 35" x 28.5" (89 x 72 cm) - 2004
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/scene18livingroom.jpg
Scene Seventeen: Living Room - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 26" x 20" (51 x 66 cm) - Framed 35" x 28.5" (89 x 72 cm) - 2004
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/scene17livingroom.jpg
Scene Sixteen: Living Room - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 26" x 20" (51 x 66 cm) - Framed 35" x 28.5" (89 x 72 cm) - 2003
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/scene16livingroom.jpg
She Embraced It and Grew Stronger - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 58" x 38" (147 x 97 cm) - Framed 70" x 50" (178 x 127 cm) - 2003
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/sheembraceditandgrewstronger.jpg
Scene Fifteen: Living Room - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 26" x 20" (51 x 66 cm) - Framed 35" x 28.5" (89 x 72 cm) - 2002
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/scene15livingroom.jpg
Scene Fourteen: Kitchen - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 26" x 20" (66 x 51 cm) - Framed 35" x 28.5" (89 x 72 cm) - 2002
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/scene14kitchen.jpg
Scene Thirteen: Bathroom - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 26" x 20" (51 x 66 cm) - Framed 35" x 28.5" (89 x 72 cm) - 2002
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/scene13bathroom800px.jpg
Truth Betrayed by Innocence - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 58" x 38" (147 x 97 cm) - Framed 70" x 50" (178 x 127 cm) - 2001
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/truthbetrayedbyinnocence.jpg
Scene Twelve: Living Room - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 26" x 20" (51 x 66 cm) - Framed 35" x 28.5" (89 x 72 cm) - 2001
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/scene12livingroom.jpg
Answering the Call - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 58" x 38" (147 x 97 cm) - Framed 70" x 50" (178 x 127 cm) - 2000
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/answeringthecall.jpg
Scene Eleven: Bedroom - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 20" x 26" (51 x 66 cm) - Framed 28.5" x 35" (72 x 89 cm) - 2000
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/scene11bedroom.jpg
Practical Advice on Waiting - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 58" x 38" (147 x 97 cm) - Framed 70" x 50" (178 x 127 cm) - 2000
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/practicaladviceonliving.jpg
Scene Ten: Bathroom - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 26" x 20" (66 x 51 cm) - Framed 35" x 28.5" (89 x 72 cm) - 1999
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/scene10bathroom.jpg
Scene Nine: Living Room - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 20" x 26" (51 x 66 cm) - Framed 28.5" x 35" (72 x 89 cm) - 1999
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/scene09livingroom.jpg
No Cure for Insomnia - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 58" x 38" (147 x 97 cm) - Framed 70" x 50" (178 x 127 cm) - 1999
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/nocureforinsomnia.jpg
Scene Eight: Kitchen - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 20" x 26" (51 x 66 cm) - Framed 28.5" x 35" (72 x 89 cm) - 1998
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/scene08kitchen.jpg
Scene Seven: Living Room - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 26" x 20" (51 x 66 cm) - Framed 35" x 28.5" (89 x 72 cm) - 1998
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/scene07livingroom.jpg
Scene Six: Living Room - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 26" x 20" (66 x 51 cm) - Framed 35" x 28.5" (89 x 72 cm) - 1998
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/scene06livingroom.jpg
He Was So in Need of Botany - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 58" x 38" (147 x 97 cm) - Framed 70" x 50" (178 x 127 cm) - 1998
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/hewassoinneedofbotany.jpg
Scene Five: Kitchen - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 20" x 26" (51 x 66 cm) - Framed 28.5" x 35" (72 x 89 cm) - 1998
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/scene05kitchen.jpg
Scene Four: Living Room - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 26" x 20" (51 x 66 cm) - Framed 35" x 28.5" (89 x 72 cm) - 1998
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/scene04livingroom.jpg
Scene Three: Living Room - Stolen, reward for its return - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 26" x 20" (51 x 66 cm) - Framed 35" x 28.5" (89 x 72 cm) - 1997
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/scene03livingroom.jpg
He Urged Her to Abdicate - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 58" x 38" (147 x 97 cm) - Framed 70" x 50" (178 x 127 cm) - 1997
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/heurgedhertoabdicate.jpg
Scene Two: Living Room - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 26" x 20" (66 x 51cm) - Framed 35" x 28.5" (89 x 72cm) - 1997
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/scene02livingroom1354909779.jpg
Scene One: Living Room - Stolen, reward for its return - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 26" x 20" (66 x 51cm) - Framed 35" x 28.5" (89 x 72cm) - 1997
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/scene01livingroom1354909718.jpg
The Leader Challenged - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 58" x 38" (147 x 97cm) - Framed 70" x 50" (178 x 127cm) - 1997
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/theleaderchallenged.jpg
Abandoned at Birth, They Grew Up Bent - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 58" x 38" (147 x 97cm) - Framed 70" x 50" (178 x 127cm) - 1997
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/abandonedatbirththeygrewup.jpg
Sometimes She Still Found Him Charming - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 58" x 38" (147 x 97cm) - Framed 70" x 50" (178 x 127cm) - 1997
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/sometimesshestillfoundhim.jpg
She Braced Herself for Their Show of Force - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 58" x 38" (147 x 97cm) - Framed 70" x 50" (178 x 127cm) - 1996
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/shebracedherselffortheir.jpg
He Didn"t Take Seriously the Threat from Below - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 58" x 38" (147 x 97cm) - Framed 70" x 50" (178 x 127cm) - 1996
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/hedidnttakeseriously.jpg
His Mortal Enemy Was Poised, Ready to Strike - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 58" x 38" (147 x 97cm) - Framed 70" x 50" (178 x 127cm) - 1996
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/hismortalenemywaspoised.jpg
He Just Stood There Grinning - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 58" x 38" (147 x 97cm) - Framed 70" x 50" (178 x 127cm) - 1995
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/hejuststoodtheregrinning.jpg
His Sudden Return Was Not Entirely Welcome - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 58" x 38"(147 x 97cm) - Framed 70" x 50" (178 x 127cm) - 1995
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/hissuddenreturnwasnot.jpg
He Lost His Chance to Flee - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 58" x 38" (147 x 97cm) - Framed 70" x 50" (178 x 127cm) - 1995
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/helosthischancetoflee.jpg
The Older One Pulled His Punches - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 58" x 38" (147 x 97cm) - Framed 70" x 50" (178 x 127cm) - 1995
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/theolderonepulled.jpg
At First He Vehemently Denied the Accusation - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 58" x 38" (147 x 97cm) - Framed 70" x 50" (178 x 127cm) - 1995
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/atfirsthevehemently.jpg
In Reality the Frogs Were Men - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 58" x 38" (147 x 97cm) - Framed 70" x 50" (178 x 127cm) - 1994
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/inrealitythefrogswermen.jpg
Will Wonders Never Cease - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 58" x 38" (147 c 97cm) - Framed 70" x 50" (178 x 127cm) - 1994
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/willwondersnevercease.jpg
Big Deal - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 58" x 38" (147 x 97cm) - Framed 70" x 50" (178 x 127cm) - 1994
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/bigdeal.jpg
Amok - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 57.5" x 37.5" (146.05 x 95.25cm) - Framed 70" x 50" (178 x 127cm) - 1994
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/amok.jpg
The Third Degree - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 47" x 38" (119.38 x 97cm) - Framed 60" x 50" (152.4 x 127cm) - 1994
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/thethirddegree.jpg
In for the Kill - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 47" x 38" (119.38 x 97cm) - Framed 60" x 50" (152.4 x 127cm) - 1993
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/inforthekill.jpg
Us and Them - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 47" x 38" (119.38 x 97cm) - Framed 60" x 50" (152.4 x 127cm) - 1993
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/usandthem.jpg
The Magical Other - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 47" x 38" (119.38 x 97cm) - Framed 60" x 50" (152.4 x 127cm) - 1993
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/themagicalother.jpg
Caught by the Spirit - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 47" x 38" (119.4 x 97cm) - Framed 60" x 50" (152.4 x 127cm) - 1993
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/caughtbythespirit.jpg
Keeper of the Secret - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 47" x 38" (119.38 x 97cm) - Framed 60" x 50" (152.4 x 127cm) - 1993
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/keeperofthesecret.jpg
Myth Meets Dream - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 47" x 38" (119.38 x 97cm) - Framed 60" x 50" (152.4 x 127cm) - 1993
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/mythmeetsdream.jpg
Dinner for Two - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 47" x 38" (119.38 x 97cm) - Framed 60" x 50" (152.4 x 127cm) - 1993
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/dinnerfortwo.jpg
Caught - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 47" x 38" (119.38 x 97cm) - Framed 60" x 50" (152.4 x 127cm) - 1993
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/caught.jpg
Night Watch - Soft Pastel on Sandpaper - Image 47" x 38" (119.38 x 97cm) - Framed 60" x 50" (152.4 x 127cm) - 1992
http://barbararachko.com/images/DomesticThreats_new/nightwatch.jpg
Todas as pinturas em pastel usam como pano de fundo meu apartamento em West Village ou uma casa de 72 anos, estilo Sears, em Virginia. Estes são os lugares onde eu vivo, então as realidades cotidianas do meu entorno são uma parte essencial do trabalho. Como se fosse um diretor de cena, eu seleciono e organizo um grupo de figuras de arte folclórica em um quarto no meu apartamento. Ilumino a cena usando duas ou mais luzes de tungstênio do estúdio para criar sombras dramáticas, misteriosas e inexplicáveis. Em geral, deixo a configuração naquele local por várias semanas. Durante esse tempo, eu trabalho a disposição, a iluminação, o design, e, mais importante, uma narrativa sobre a interação que ocorre entre os "atores". (A narrativa é muitas vezes sugerida no título da pintura).
Quando tudo está pronto, eu tiro dois negativos coloridos com uma câmera de visor 4"x 5". Usando uma fotografia 24"x 20" como referência, crio uma pintura pastel de tamanho 58"× 38" (normalmente um processo que leva de três a quatro meses). Também faço obras menores (que também envolvem vários meses de trabalho), mas prefiro o desafio maior de trabalhar com o formato grande. Mesclando-as com meus dedos, eu meticulosamente aplico dezenas de camadas de pastel suave sobre o papel lixa, livre de ácido. A técnica que inventei produz ricas texturas e cores vibrantes. Acredito que estou forçando o pastel para além dos seus limites, usando-o de uma forma que ninguém mais havia feito antes.