Braziliality presents...

HABITAT
by Raphael Franco

private view 11th february 2010 at 7pm

with free screening of the film
"Flat Project"
by Raphael Franco

The relationship between human beings and the physical world is a primary concern of Raphael Franco’s work. The construction industry and the uses of different spaces/objects of the city are the main subjects of his study. Although he is profoundly connected to the natural environment, he has lived all his life in big cities (born and raised in São Paulo, where he lived for 22 years until relocated to London), contributing to his deep affinity also with the urban environment. As he defines himself, he is “a natural tree planted in the concrete jungle; a concrete tree planted in a natural jungle”.

His work involves the production of images and actions that try to communicate a feeling of liberty to the audience, but also to raise consciousness and awareness about the environment that surround us and the way we transform it. His work intends to encourage people to feel more connected to the city, its spaces and the environment (both natural and built ones), exploring its possibilities. Also, to reflect the limits between the public and private sphere, especially in what concern spaces, objects or buildings that are not in use or, yet, are itinerant (such as skips).

Whether in a former factory, a derelict building or a skip, he is interested in the idea of using the materials he finds there. By simply reorganizing the elements on the space, he creates installations that raise reflections about the context in which these objects are inserted. In projects such as the Flat Project, he combined the use of founded elements as well as objects that were taken to the building.