THE MULTIDIMENSIONAL ART OF MARCO A. CASTILLO
A room should never allow the eye to settle in one place. It should smile at you and create fantasy.
Juan Montoya, interior designer
Look into the tubes and, through them, into the world of Marco A. Castillo, an artist merging art with architecture and design.
Marco’s journey began with his involvement with Los Carpinteros. Formed in Havana in 1992, Los Carpinteros is a collective of Cuban artists, known for its critical engagement with social and political issues through a unique blend of humor and craftsmanship. Its founders, Marco Antonio Castillo Valdes (Marco A. Castillo), Dagoberto Rodriguez Sanchez, and Alexandre Arrechea, adopted a guild-like approach, renouncing individual authorship to highlight the collaborative nature of art.
In his solo endeavors, Marco skilfully navigates between fine, applied, and decorative arts, questioning aesthetic norms and biases. His projects often incorporate elements reminiscent of modernist and Soviet influences, interwoven with cool Nordic vibes and traditional Cuban techniques such as latticework, as well as the use of indigenous materials such as mahogany.
No pattern should be without some sort of meaning.
William Morris, textile designer
One of Castillo's projects involves the creation of 3D structures using intricately cut layers of cardboard and, through a fretwork technique, crafting geometric designs that resemble hoover heads. This elaborate layering creates a multisensory experience of depth and light with added tactile quality, inviting onlookers to explore and reconsider their perceptions of space, material, and the inherent beauty of everyday objects. Thus, these geometric tubes transition from conveying a straightforward message to embodying modernist and utopian aesthetics.
For a house to be successful, the objects in it must communicate with one another, respond and balance one another.
Andrée Putman, interior and product designer
Marco's innovative approach integrates art into everyday spaces. The potential of such pieces to transform house design is immense, offering a harmonious blend of art and utility.
You'll find Marco A. Castillo's work in all the big spots: Tate Modern, London; Museum of Modern Art and Guggenheim Museum, New York; National Museum of Fine Arts, Havana; “Reina Sofia” Museum, Madrid; Thyssen-Bornemisza Art Contemporary, Vienna; National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa; Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris; Daros Foundation, Zürich, and many others.
If you are ever in the vicinity, be sure to explore them with your own eyes.
