"La Metamorfosis del Rubi" (The Metamorphosis of Rubi) is a powerful installation by Daniel Basso, designed to create a dialogue with the works in the collection of the Federico Klemm Foundation. Located in the heart of the city of Buenos Aires, this exhibition space gathers one of the most important collections in Latin America, with exclusive works by Andy Warhol, and Joseph Beuys, among others. The foundation was created in honor of Federico Klemm, the emblematic pop artist, also known as the Argentine Warhol.
In 2020, Basso managed to consecrate himself with the Klemm Award, which has been held annually since 1997 with the aim of recognizing local contemporary artists. As a result, Basso got his well-deserved solo exhibition at the Foundation. Then came "The Metamorphosis of the Ruby", an installation that contaminates the entire room from floor to ceiling with pastel colors and striking baroque patterns. The proposal immerses us in an unreal and kitsch fantasy.
The installation simulates an inverted cake, while what would be the covering of the dessert is the floor of the space. It is a pink whipped cream and strawberry cake with large white meringues, through which we can circulate. It is possible to feel part of a scene from Alice in Wonderland. Among its "ingredients" to taste is dulce de leche, a classic Argentine dessert, and works of national and international artists. Among the works we can find a textile by Dalila Puzzovio, a ceramic by Gabriel Baggio, a silkscreen from the Eroticos series by Marta Minujín, another by Tom Wesselmann, the silver Labyrinth by Edgardo Giménez, a photograph by Klemm from the Samson and Delilah series, among others.
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| "Popnography" by Marta Minujin |
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| "Labyrinth" by Edgardo Giménez |
Basso's work combines large styrofoam pompoms, bubblegum pink walls, and other fantasies of the pastry universe, on a flaky floor made of cut vinyl, evoking an atmosphere of camp echoes that frames the works in the Collection", according to curators Federica Baeza, Guadalupe Chirotarrab and Santiago Villanueva. Through a change of scale on the architecture "the space is de-realized, loses weight and density to induce a state of reverie," they add.
The name of the exhibition is a tribute to a work by Klemm, which represents a simulacrum of a jewel with a ruby in acrylic and mirrors, together with surfaces in which the glitter turns into gold, something quite in keeping with Klemm's aesthetics. The Metamorphosis of the Ruby" becomes a dialogue with the heritage and architecture of the Foundation's rooms. The artist creates an atmosphere of artifice ideal for the link between the works.
Daniel Basso is an artist to pay attention to who will surely soon be representing his country in mega exhibitions, international halls, and biennials.
"La Metamorfosis del Rubi"
Location: Federico Klemm Foundation, Marcelo Torcuato de Alvear 628, C1058 CABA, Buenos Aires (Argentina)
Opening Date: October 2022
End Date: -
Working hours: Monday-Friday: 11am to 18.30 pm
Official website:
Participating Artist:
