Winter 2021

A few moments after waking up, there is significant neuronal activity in people.

Many believe this is due to the transition between sleep and wakefulness. In these moments, the person is not able to precisely distinguish what is part of reality and what is part of the continuation of the dream. In these moments, unlike others throughout the day, the senses of touch and smell prevail in humans as they try to discern what is real.

Over the past few years, there has been a need to re-read children's stories.
It first happened with Dumbo and Peter Pan: today — before their airing — it is clarified that they contain racist elements. In Snow White, where, after a nap full of sensuality and innocence, she awakens due to the magic of a prince's kiss, the question that arises in this re-reading is whether there was violence in that kiss: was that kiss consensual?

Maggie Trucco envelops us with her beautiful large-scale paintings. Fabrics that resemble a stage setting or a frame from a movie. A character sleeping on peaceful grass, surrounded by animals that watch over her rest, blossoming trees, a beautiful meadow somewhere in Argentina. A little pig looks at us, alerting us that not everything is as idyllic as it seems in the scene. There is something in that gaze that makes us think that one is not safe even in rest.

Magdalena paints outdoor spaces full of light, color, and nature. The character sleeps or meditates in a space filled with the fictional harmony of movies; but, as we cannot escape our reality, the painting returns to us the tensions of our everyday life. Sleeping Beauty rests her head on a serpent (which supposedly guards her), her clothing — which is scant — disturbs us with its innocent sensuality. Nowadays, no one can escape the lurking threat brought by patriarchy disguised as a prince charming.

Magdalena Trucco offers a work of great delicacy, both in technique and in imagery; but as a true artist, she also illuminates tensions, which become questions that make the image linger in our retinas and not be forgotten so quickly. As always, we are grateful.

Juan Cruz Garcia Gutierrez, 2021