Cosmonautas: The Cosmic Friendship of Magariños D. and Peralta Ramos
An exhibition explores the profound artistic and metaphysical connection between two distinct Argentine avant-garde figures.
1Unlikely Artistic Bond
The exhibition Cosmonautas at Del Infinito gallery highlights the two-decade friendship between Víctor Magariños D. and Federico Manuel Peralta Ramos. Despite their contrasting aesthetic approaches, the curators Javier Villa and Juan Cruz Andrada reveal a deep metaphysical connection. This display bridges the gap between their distinct artistic legacies through personal correspondence.
2Divergent Creative Paths
Federico Manuel Peralta Ramos was a pioneer of relational and performance art, famously treating life as his primary canvas. Conversely, Víctor Magariños D. focused on cosmological art, exploring abstraction and the expansion of forms. Their collaboration demonstrates how two vastly different creative minds found common ground through shared philosophical inquiries.
3The Cosmic Correspondence
The friendship blossomed in 1965 during a government-sponsored trip to the United States alongside other artists. Their letters, exchanged between Pinamar and Buenos Aires, served as a vital bridge. These documents reflect deep contemplations on spirituality, the cosmos, and the nature of existence, forming the core narrative of the exhibition.
4Shared Metaphysical Vision
Peralta Ramos often referred to both artists as 'ugly ducklings' or 'psycho-differents,' emphasizing their unique status in the world. They shared a belief in an 'internal firmament' or 'endocosmos' that guided their creative output. This metaphysical bond allowed them to transcend their stylistic differences and connect on a profound, energetic level.
5Visualizing the Invisible
Magariños D.’s Finito Infinito series resonates with the letters' themes of energy and transformation. The works feature undulating blue lines surrounding vibrant centers of green, red, and yellow, mirroring the concept of a universe within a universe. These visual elements provide a tangible response to the poetic descriptions found in the correspondence.
6Art as Life Philosophy
Peralta Ramos famously argued that an artist must experience the 'colimba of life'—the hardships and realities of living—to become a true transmitter of existence. Both men viewed art not merely as a profession, but as a total way of life, dedicating their entire beings to every creative decision they made.
7Process and Interpretation
The exhibition features small-scale sketches by Magariños D., which curators describe as images in process rather than simple drafts. These pieces, alongside Peralta Ramos’s poetic reflections, invite viewers to engage in a playful, open-ended dialogue. The installation design allows for free interpretation, suspending works to evoke a sense of floating.
8Legacy of the Connection
Cosmonautas serves as a 'small great story' within the broader history of art, emphasizing the power of human connection. By showcasing the intimate letters alongside the art, the exhibition honors the love and mutual admiration between two visionaries. It remains open for public viewing at the gallery on Quintana 325.
Original article: La Nación — Cosmonautas: The Cosmic Friendship of Magariños D. and Peralta Ramos