MEMBER NEWS:

BARRO: Latin Americans in Clay Returns with a Bold New Vision—“Where Art Meets Technology”

We’re thrilled to share that BARRO: Latin Americans in Clay returns for its second edition, this time exploring the dynamic intersection of tradition and innovation with “Where Art Meets Technology.” Hosted by the NEW YORK LATIN AMERICAN ART TRIENNIAL  and co-curated by Alejandra Rojas and Marinés Soria, this year’s exhibition opens on Governors Island, continuing to amplify the voices of Latin American artists working in ceramics.

To see BARRO: Latin Americans In Clay’s first exhibition, follow this link.

About The Exhibition

Alejandra Rojas, a current Rockella Space Member and featured artist in our Member Spotlight series (see her profile here), has been at the forefront of this powerful curatorial project. Rockella Space had the honor of hosting the inaugural edition of BARRO in 2024 (check it out here), where Rojas and Soria gathered a vibrant community of artists using clay to speak to identity, heritage, and experimentation.

This second iteration pushes the conversation even further—spotlighting avant-garde Latin American artists who are reimagining clay through the lens of digital media, innovation, and new technologies. From 3D printing to augmented realities, “Where Art Meets Technology” is a boundary-breaking exploration of how one of humanity’s oldest materials can tell the stories of our most contemporary concerns.

We’re incredibly proud to see Rockella Members like Alejandra shaping the wider art world and bringing visibility to underrepresented practices and communities. Don’t miss the chance to experience this cutting-edge exhibition in one of New York’s most iconic public art settings.

 Alejandra Rojas

Alejandra Rojas is a Peruvian visual artist whose work bridges computational design and cutting-edge technologies with traditional ceramic techniques deeply rooted in her cultural heritage. She draws inspiration from textures in nature, found objects, and everyday interactions with the urban environment. Her process transforms these observations into three-dimensional forms using mathematical algorithms. Her practice explores the interplay of repetition, form, and color to create sculptural objects that blur the boundaries between art, design, and architecture.

Augusto Ribeiro 

Augusto Ribeiro is an industrial designer graduated from UFRJ and holds a postgraduate degree in Interior Design from IED São Paulo.

Before opening his own ceramic brand, Augusto worked for 10 years in branding studios, where he combined his expertise in product and interior design with strategic design to build brand experiences at physical touchpoints.

Established in 2019, Breve was born out of designer’s desire to merge industrial design with artisanal ceramics to bring his creative vision to life. He has already garnered two design awards (Premio MCB; Brazil Design Awards) and received widespread coverage in architecture and design blogs and magazines. The studio has participated in various events such as Milano and São Paulo Design Week, and other architecture and design events.

Diego Zambrano

Diego Zambrano is an architect exploring geometrical complexity through structured relationships between shapes, rhythm, and proportion. One of his main goals is the exploration of patterns and textures that emerge from pure mathematical order, free from subjective interpretation. The pursuit of complexity advances through custom toolpaths and algorithmic processes, introducing new methods for form ideation.

Clay is the chosen medium to materialize these ideas, as it connects deeply with the history of craftsmanship and man-made objects. Through the introduction of digital precision, it offers a way to reinterpret tradition, culture, and identity by examining how these notions can be separated from the ceramic object while preserving its longevity, haptic qualities, and functional use. Clay is also significant as the need to prioritize sustainable materials grows, and the exploration of earthen materiality presents an opportunity to translate these concepts into the large-scale construction of buildings.

Edurne Morales

Edurne Morales is a Mexican architect, artist, researcher and computational designer. Her artistic process is based on understanding machines, natural materials, reactions and vernacular practices to take advantage of their potential; focusing attention on issues related to natural resources, tradition and folk practices through contemporary ways of creating.

She applies techniques such as 3D printing, robotic winding, SLS, laser cutting, robotic compressive adhesion, multimedia, and computational design; using materials like flax fiber, bamboo, eggshell, sawdust, and of course, clay and earthen materials in various forms.

Co-Curator Marinés Soria

Marinés Soria is a performing and audiovisual artist, Artistic director and Creative Producer at Teatro Pop Up, and Curator at Swim Club NYC. Her work has been key in shaping the landscape of pop-up art events in both Lima and New York City. Marinés’ curatorial practice navigates artistic mediums such as sculpture that integrate new technologies and the ever-evolving landscape of performance and media art. She finds resonance in art that bridges the gap between folklore and innovative practices.

MORE INFO

BARRO: Latin Americans in Clay Presents

“Where Art Meets Technology”

Opening Cocktails

Saturday, May 10, from 2–5 p.m

📍 NYLAAT House #18,

Nolan Park,

Governors Island,

NY 10004