Rytmic VertigosThomas Do Canto · 2017

Composition and Visual Elements of the Work

In the black and white photograph of Rytmic Vertigos, Thomas Do Canto presents a sculptural installation that fractures the surrounding space. The composition relies on a central perspective, drawing the eye toward a core where light and shadow converge. From the dark metal framework, sharp diagonal lines emanate and extend outward, slicing through the frame. These lines create a sense of movement that pulls the viewer into a rhythmic pattern established by the arrangement of the mirrors. The low angle perspective makes the structure appear to loom, expanding its reach toward the edges of the vision.

The subject matter is an abstract exploration of reflection and distortion. Each mirrored surface catches a fragment of the environment, multiplying shapes and blurring the boundaries between the object and the space it occupies. These irregular, sharp-edged forms create a visual tension, suggesting a state of imbalance. The interplay of light against the monochromatic tones emphasizes the depth of the installation, turning the physical structure into a series of shifting, geometric echoes. The world becomes a collection of broken, silvered planes.

Technique and Materials Used in the Installation

The installation is built upon a rigid metal framework, likely composed of steel. This structural skeleton provides the necessary strength to support a complex network of suspended elements. The metal surfaces possess a rough texture, offering a tactile contrast to the more delicate components of the work. These heavy, angular lines anchor the piece within the space.

Suspended from this dark, industrial frame are numerous reflective surfaces made of glass or mirrors. These pieces are positioned at various angles, catching light and fragmenting the surrounding environment. While the metal remains coarse and unyielding, the glass surfaces are perfectly smooth. They exist in a state of suspended tension, caught between the heavy architecture of the frame and the lightness of the air.

Light interacts with these materials to create a shifting geometry of shadows and highlights. The interplay between the matte, textured steel and the polished, transparent glass defines the physical presence of the work. It is a study in the collision of weight and reflection.