ART CITIES:N.York-OSGEMEOS (Gustavo and Otavio Pandolfo)
OSGEMEOS translated as “the twins” in Portuguese, is a collaborative art duo comprised of twin brothers Gustavo and Otavio Pandolfo. As children, the brothers developed a distinct way of playing and communicating through artistic language, but it was with the invasion of hip-hop, and the explosion of Brazilian culture during the 1980s that OSGEMEOS began to use art as a way of sharing their dynamic and magical universe with the public.
By Efi Michalarou
Photo: Lehmann Maupin Gallery Archive
In the exhibition “Portal” the twin brothers Gustavo and Otavio Pandolfo present a new body of paintings that delve further into their fantasy/dream world by exploring themes related to mysticism and science fiction. Utilizing repeated geometric motifs reminiscent of temple architecture and abstract patterns similar to those in Op Art, this exhibition will offer a heightened, multi-sensory experience that embraces the power of human imagination and the vast possibilities inherent in visually interpreting the subconscious. OSGEMEOS began their careers during the 1980s as graffiti artists, making their mark on the streets of the São Paulo neighborhood of Cambuci. They have since become internationally known for their distinct figurative style that features long-limbed yellow characters with thin outlines, enlarged faces, and simplified features, as well as their use of vibrant colors and elaborate patterns. Initially influenced by the New York graffiti and hip hop movements of the 1980s and the ingenuity and resourcefulness evident in their working class neighborhood, OSGEMEOS decided to make public work that was accessible to all. Unlike the popular Brazilian art movements at the time―conceptual, minimalist, and concrete art―that spoke primarily to the elite, engaging in public art allowed the artists to contribute a sense of optimism in their community. In 1993, following a studio visit with the prominent San Francisco-based artist Barry McGee, the twins developed a rigorous studio practice and began creating smaller paintings and objects while continuing to produce large-scale murals that could reach a wider audience. This has allowed them to navigate all facets of the artworld, from the commercial, to the institutional, to the public. OSGEMEOS’ practice continues to be marked by a commitment to the accessibility of art and to exposing the complicated realities of the working class while simultaneously celebrating its resilience. Using a rich symbolic visual language marked by bright colors and intricate patterns, OSGEMEOS are often inspired by the vivid dreams that, as twins, they frequently share. In “Taking the dog for a walk” featured in this exhibition, a solitary figure occupies the center of the picture plane, his head encased in a triangular architectural structure that bears a singular all-seeing eye, suggesting a spiritual space. The dog being “walked” floats next to this figure, and the two are connected only by a beam of light coming from the eye in the palm of his hand. The work of OSGEMEOS can be seen as a form of contemporary surrealism, as the artists seek to defy both artistic and societal conventions through the exploration of the subconscious and imagination. Their extensive symbolism extends to their characters as well, with their yellow tone meant to defy racial associations, emphasizing unity and the establishing role that diversity plays in the artists’ native Brazil and beyond.
Info: Lehmann Maupin, 501 West 24th Street, New York, Duration: 10/9-31/10/20, Days & Hours: Tue-Sat 10:00-18:00, www.lehmannmaupin.com
