Datiloscritos (1974)
Typewriting, ink, and transfer type on rice paper
50 × 37 cm
Signed and dated lower right
In her Datiloscritos series, Mira Schendel explores the intersection of language, materiality, and visual art. Utilizing a typewriter, she creates compositions where letters, symbols, and words are arranged in abstract patterns on delicate rice paper. The translucent quality of the paper, combined with the mechanical precision of typewritten text, invites viewers to contemplate the boundaries between text and image, meaning and form.
This work exemplifies Schendel's innovative approach to art-making, where she challenges traditional notions of communication and expression. By transforming the act of typing into a visual gesture, she blurs the lines between writing and drawing, inviting interpretations that transcend linguistic boundaries.
Datiloscritos stands as a testament to Schendel's profound engagement with the philosophical and aesthetic questions of her time, positioning her as a pivotal figure in postwar Latin American art.
Mira Schendel (1919–1988) was a Swiss-born Brazilian artist renowned for her profound contributions to postwar Latin American art. Her multidisciplinary practice encompassed drawing, painting, sculpture, and installation, often delving into themes of language, philosophy, and the metaphysical. Schendel's unique approach to materials and form positioned her as a pivotal figure in the Brazilian avant-garde, with her works featured in major institutions worldwide, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Tate Modern in London.
