25 Jan — 15 Mar 2025 @Porto

Abracadabra, Group Show with works by Eduardo Antonio, Hernâni Reis Baptista, Hugo Flores, Janis Dellarte, Mariana Rebola, Matilde Travassos, Miguel Ângelo Marques, Pedro Gramaxo, Susana Rocha, Vera Matias and Zé Ardisson / curated by Diogo Ramalho

The anticipation of an upcoming event builds tension, ready to culminate in a revelation. The waiting period carries the promise of transformation, where what once seemed formless will take shape. In an instant—Abracadabra!—we realize that a transformation has occurred, or perhaps a trick has been revealed.

The word embodies the structural mystery of its origin and meaning. It may originate from the Hebrew phrase “I will create as I speak” or from Aramaic, meaning “I create as the word.” But it also originated as an apotropaic inscription, an amulet that would ward off misfortune. The word, originally written in 11 lines, would have one letter removed from each line, and this process would continue until all the letters have disappeared. The gradual removal of the letters initiates a change that allows transformation to unfold.