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Biography

sofía táboas - Artists - Kurimanzutto

sofía táboas

1968, Mexico City

Sofía Táboas investigates both natural and man-made space; how it is built and transformed, thought about and perceived. This interest is evident in the materials she uses in her sculptures and installations: artificial and live plants, mosaics, pool equipment, construction materials, plastic, light bulbs, and fire, among others. Her work creates a threshold, a boundary between elements that may be incongruent or seemingly irreconcilable, that serves to reinvent the borders of the public and the private, the inside and the outside. Táboas deftly manipulates space to create interactive structures and contexts where materials can be interpreted on new terms. Despite its seeming formal sobriety, her work is capable of creating habitats, such as floating gardens or underwater scenes, exploring new protozoan life, and give rise to new movement and perception exercises. Influenced by the Arte Povera and Neo-concrete movements, Táboas’ practice can be thought of as an archeology of the future, in which the use of common materials serves to breach the gap separating us from what is outside, of a distant tomorrow, surrounding the spectator with the familiar, in the here and now.

Sofía Táboas received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from UNAM, Mexico City (1986-1990). During the 90s, she was a founding member of the alternative space Temístocles 44 in Mexico City.

Sofía Táboas currently lives and works in Mexico City, Mexico

Selected Works

Selected Works Thumbnails
alberca para muro, 1999

plastic, paper mache, plaster, polyurethane, venice mosaic

 

alberca para muro, 1999

plastic, paper mache, plaster, polyurethane, venice mosaic

 

alberca para muro, 1999

plastic, paper mache, plaster, polyurethane, venice mosaic

 

alberca para muro, 1999

plastic, paper mache, plaster, polyurethane, venice mosaic

 

alberca semi-olímpica para muro, 2009

mosaic, plastic

variable dimensions 

 

alberca semi-olímpica para muro, 2009

mosaic, plastic

variable dimensions 

 

alberca semi-olímpica para muro, 2009

mosaic, plastic

variable dimensions 

 

alberca semi-olímpica para muro, 2009

mosaic, plastic

variable dimensions 

 

azul acapulco, 2000

mosaic, plaster, paper mache

31.5 in. diameter

 

azul acapulco, 2000

mosaic, plaster, paper mache

31.5 in. diameter

 

dorso, 2011

venice mosaic, steel, cement, brick

35.43 x 78.74 x 47.24 in.

 

dorso, 2011

venice mosaic, steel, cement, brick

35.43 x 78.74 x 47.24 in.

 

cinco jardines flotantes para cinco piedras, 2009

five stones and five floating gardens made out of plastic bins, plastic containers, rubber tires, wood, plastic bags with earth and plants

137.8 in. diameter

installation view at casa del lago, mexico city, 2009

 

 

cinco jardines flotantes para cinco piedras, 2009

five stones and five floating gardens made out of plastic bins, plastic containers, rubber tires, wood, plastic bags with earth and plants

137.8 in. diameter

installation view at casa del lago, mexico city, 2009

 

 

cinco jardines flotantes para cinco piedras, 2009

five stones and five floating gardens made out of plastic bins, plastic containers, rubber tires, wood, plastic bags with earth and plants

137.8 in. diameter

installation view at casa del lago, mexico city

 

cinco jardines flotantes para cinco piedras, 2009

five stones and five floating gardens made out of plastic bins, plastic containers, rubber tires, wood, plastic bags with earth and plants

137.8 in. diameter

installation view at casa del lago, mexico city

 

filtro lama, 2011

glass, 180 liters of water, light, algae, plastic

51.18 x 59.06 x 7.87 in.

filtro lama, 2011

glass, 180 liters of water, light, algae, plastic

51.18 x 59.06 x 7.87 in.

filtro lama, 2011

glass, 180 liters of water, light, algae, plastic

51.18 x 59.06 x 7.87 in.

detail

filtro lama, 2011

glass, 180 liters of water, light, algae, plastic

51.18 x 59.06 x 7.87 in.

detail

filtro lama, 2011

glass, 180 liters of water, light, algae, plastic

51.18 x 59.06 x 7.87 in.

detail

filtro lama, 2011

glass, 180 liters of water, light, algae, plastic

51.18 x 59.06 x 7.87 in.

detail

doble turno, 1994

plastic balls, nylon

variable dimensions 

installation view at muac museo de arte contemporáneo, mexico city

detail

 

doble turno, 1994

plastic balls, nylon

variable dimensions 

installation view at muac museo de arte contemporáneo, mexico city

detail

 

doble turno, 1994

plastic balls, nylon

variable dimensions 

detail at muac museo de arte contemporáneo, mexico city

 

doble turno, 1994

plastic balls, nylon

variable dimensions 

detail at muac museo de arte contemporáneo, mexico city

 

espejo de agua, 1998

caramel, artificial edible colorant

variable dimensions

 

espejo de agua, 1998

caramel, artificial edible colorant

variable dimensions

 

emulsión doméstica, 2005

wood, paint, bulb, plexiglass, steel

98.43 x 88.19 x 88.19 in.

 

emulsión doméstica, 2005

wood, paint, bulb, plexiglass, steel

98.43 x 88.19 x 88.19 in.

 

emulsión doméstica, 2005

wood, paint, bulb, plexiglass, steel

98.43 x 88.19 x 88.19 in.

 

emulsión doméstica, 2005

wood, paint, bulb, plexiglass, steel

98.43 x 88.19 x 88.19 in.

 

filtro ámbar, 2011

acrylic, steel wire, anodized aluminium

variable dimensions 

 

filtro ámbar, 2011

acrylic, steel wire, anodized aluminium

variable dimensions 

 

espectro, 1993 - 2011

carpet, wood, engraved metal plate

variable dimensions 

 

espectro, 1993 - 2011

carpet, wood, engraved metal plate

variable dimensions 

 

espectro, 1993 - 2011

carpet, wood, engraved metal plate

variable dimensions

 

espectro, 1993 - 2011

carpet, wood, engraved metal plate

variable dimensions

 

instrucciones para tejer una flor, 2013

plastic fiber

218.11 x 217.32 in.

 

instrucciones para tejer una flor, 2013

plastic fiber

218.11 x 217.32 in.

 

fuego enlatado con plan extraterrestre, 2001 - 2011

910 cans of alcohol

variable dimensions 

 

fuego enlatado con plan extraterrestre, 2001 - 2011

910 cans of alcohol

variable dimensions 

 

fuego envasado, 2001

600 cans of alcohol on grass

variable dimensions 

 

fuego envasado, 2001

600 cans of alcohol on grass

variable dimensions 

 

cosecha espacial, 2005

white neon, artificial plants

125.98 x 110.24 x 1.18 in. each module

 

cosecha espacial, 2005

white neon, artificial plants

125.98 x 110.24 x 1.18 in. each module

 

expansión cósmica, 2005

aluminiun, acrylic, formica, steel wire

variable dimensions 

 

expansión cósmica, 2005

aluminiun, acrylic, formica, steel wire

variable dimensions 

 

germen voynich, 2005

wood

variable dimensions 

 

germen voynich, 2005

wood

variable dimensions 

 

germen voynich, 2005

wood

variable dimensions 

 

germen voynich, 2005

wood

variable dimensions 

 

jardín portátil, 2001

plants, wooden movable platform

78.74 x 78.74 in.

 

jardín portátil, 2001

plants, wooden movable platform

78.74 x 78.74 in.

 

muro que se desprende, 2002 - 2011

four liters of glue, 20 kilos of glitter

variable dimensions 

 

muro que se desprende, 2002 - 2011

four liters of glue, 20 kilos of glitter

variable dimensions 

 

untitled (méxico), 2001

natural plants, water, nylon, plastic

variable dimensions 

 

untitled (méxico), 2001

natural plants, water, nylon, plastic

variable dimensions 

 

personal cage 1, 2013

welded and forged steel, matte black automotive paint

98.43 x 98.43 in.

 

personal cage 1, 2013

welded and forged steel, matte black automotive paint

98.43 x 98.43 in.

 

personal cage 2, 2013

welded and forged steel, matte black automotive paint

98.43 x 98.43 x 98.43 in.

 

personal cage 2, 2013

welded and forged steel, matte black automotive paint

98.43 x 98.43 x 98.43 in.

 

personal cage 3, 2013

welded and forged steel, matte black automotive paint

98.43 in. diameter

 

personal cage 3, 2013

welded and forged steel, matte black automotive paint

98.43 in. diameter

 

personal cage 4, 2013

welded and forged steel, matte black automotive paint

118.11 x 47.24 in.

 

personal cage 4, 2013

welded and forged steel, matte black automotive paint

118.11 x 47.24 in.

 

permeabilidad translúcida (horizontes I), 2010 - 2011

india paper, water

19.29 x 28.74 in.

 

permeabilidad translúcida (horizontes I), 2010 - 2011

india paper, water

19.29 x 28.74 in.

 

permeabilidad translúcida (horizontes IV), 2010-2011

india paper and water

19.29 x 28.74 in. each

 

permeabilidad translúcida (horizontes IV), 2010-2011

india paper and water

19.29 x 28.74 in. each

 

trébol volcánico, 2006

obsidian

10.63 x 51.18 x 43.31 in.

 

trébol volcánico, 2006

obsidian

10.63 x 51.18 x 43.31 in.

 

muro de construcción, 2011

wood, metal, plaster, cement, stone, glass, mirror, ironworks, brick

installation: 78.74 x 188.98 x 7.87 in.; 7.87 x 7.87 x 7.87 in. each cube 

 

muro de construcción, 2011

wood, metal, plaster, cement, stone, glass, mirror, ironworks, brick

installation: 78.74 x 188.98 x 7.87 in.; 7.87 x 7.87 x 7.87 in. each cube 

 

muro de construcción, 2011

wood, metal, plaster, cement, stone, glass, mirror, ironworks, brick

installation: 78.74 x 188.98 x 7.87 in. each cube: 7.87 x 7.87 x 7.87 in.

 

muro de construcción, 2011

wood, metal, plaster, cement, stone, glass, mirror, ironworks, brick

installation: 78.74 x 188.98 x 7.87 in. each cube: 7.87 x 7.87 x 7.87 in.

 

alberca para muro, 1999

plastic, paper mache, plaster, polyurethane, venice mosaic

 

alberca para muro, 1999

plastic, paper mache, plaster, polyurethane, venice mosaic

 

alberca para muro, 1999

plastic, paper mache, plaster, polyurethane, venice mosaic

 

alberca para muro, 1999

plastic, paper mache, plaster, polyurethane, venice mosaic

 

alberca semi-olímpica para muro, 2009

mosaic, plastic

variable dimensions 

 

alberca semi-olímpica para muro, 2009

mosaic, plastic

variable dimensions 

 

alberca semi-olímpica para muro, 2009

mosaic, plastic

variable dimensions 

 

alberca semi-olímpica para muro, 2009

mosaic, plastic

variable dimensions 

 

azul acapulco, 2000

mosaic, plaster, paper mache

31.5 in. diameter

 

azul acapulco, 2000

mosaic, plaster, paper mache

31.5 in. diameter

 

dorso, 2011

venice mosaic, steel, cement, brick

35.43 x 78.74 x 47.24 in.

 

dorso, 2011

venice mosaic, steel, cement, brick

35.43 x 78.74 x 47.24 in.

 

cinco jardines flotantes para cinco piedras, 2009

five stones and five floating gardens made out of plastic bins, plastic containers, rubber tires, wood, plastic bags with earth and plants

137.8 in. diameter

installation view at casa del lago, mexico city, 2009

 

 

cinco jardines flotantes para cinco piedras, 2009

five stones and five floating gardens made out of plastic bins, plastic containers, rubber tires, wood, plastic bags with earth and plants

137.8 in. diameter

installation view at casa del lago, mexico city, 2009

 

 

cinco jardines flotantes para cinco piedras, 2009

five stones and five floating gardens made out of plastic bins, plastic containers, rubber tires, wood, plastic bags with earth and plants

137.8 in. diameter

installation view at casa del lago, mexico city

 

cinco jardines flotantes para cinco piedras, 2009

five stones and five floating gardens made out of plastic bins, plastic containers, rubber tires, wood, plastic bags with earth and plants

137.8 in. diameter

installation view at casa del lago, mexico city

 

filtro lama, 2011

glass, 180 liters of water, light, algae, plastic

51.18 x 59.06 x 7.87 in.

filtro lama, 2011

glass, 180 liters of water, light, algae, plastic

51.18 x 59.06 x 7.87 in.

filtro lama, 2011

glass, 180 liters of water, light, algae, plastic

51.18 x 59.06 x 7.87 in.

detail

filtro lama, 2011

glass, 180 liters of water, light, algae, plastic

51.18 x 59.06 x 7.87 in.

detail

filtro lama, 2011

glass, 180 liters of water, light, algae, plastic

51.18 x 59.06 x 7.87 in.

detail

filtro lama, 2011

glass, 180 liters of water, light, algae, plastic

51.18 x 59.06 x 7.87 in.

detail

doble turno, 1994

plastic balls, nylon

variable dimensions 

installation view at muac museo de arte contemporáneo, mexico city

detail

 

doble turno, 1994

plastic balls, nylon

variable dimensions 

installation view at muac museo de arte contemporáneo, mexico city

detail

 

doble turno, 1994

plastic balls, nylon

variable dimensions 

detail at muac museo de arte contemporáneo, mexico city

 

doble turno, 1994

plastic balls, nylon

variable dimensions 

detail at muac museo de arte contemporáneo, mexico city

 

espejo de agua, 1998

caramel, artificial edible colorant

variable dimensions

 

espejo de agua, 1998

caramel, artificial edible colorant

variable dimensions

 

emulsión doméstica, 2005

wood, paint, bulb, plexiglass, steel

98.43 x 88.19 x 88.19 in.

 

emulsión doméstica, 2005

wood, paint, bulb, plexiglass, steel

98.43 x 88.19 x 88.19 in.

 

emulsión doméstica, 2005

wood, paint, bulb, plexiglass, steel

98.43 x 88.19 x 88.19 in.

 

emulsión doméstica, 2005

wood, paint, bulb, plexiglass, steel

98.43 x 88.19 x 88.19 in.

 

filtro ámbar, 2011

acrylic, steel wire, anodized aluminium

variable dimensions 

 

filtro ámbar, 2011

acrylic, steel wire, anodized aluminium

variable dimensions 

 

espectro, 1993 - 2011

carpet, wood, engraved metal plate

variable dimensions 

 

espectro, 1993 - 2011

carpet, wood, engraved metal plate

variable dimensions 

 

espectro, 1993 - 2011

carpet, wood, engraved metal plate

variable dimensions

 

espectro, 1993 - 2011

carpet, wood, engraved metal plate

variable dimensions

 

instrucciones para tejer una flor, 2013

plastic fiber

218.11 x 217.32 in.

 

instrucciones para tejer una flor, 2013

plastic fiber

218.11 x 217.32 in.

 

fuego enlatado con plan extraterrestre, 2001 - 2011

910 cans of alcohol

variable dimensions 

 

fuego enlatado con plan extraterrestre, 2001 - 2011

910 cans of alcohol

variable dimensions 

 

fuego envasado, 2001

600 cans of alcohol on grass

variable dimensions 

 

fuego envasado, 2001

600 cans of alcohol on grass

variable dimensions 

 

cosecha espacial, 2005

white neon, artificial plants

125.98 x 110.24 x 1.18 in. each module

 

cosecha espacial, 2005

white neon, artificial plants

125.98 x 110.24 x 1.18 in. each module

 

expansión cósmica, 2005

aluminiun, acrylic, formica, steel wire

variable dimensions 

 

expansión cósmica, 2005

aluminiun, acrylic, formica, steel wire

variable dimensions 

 

germen voynich, 2005

wood

variable dimensions 

 

germen voynich, 2005

wood

variable dimensions 

 

germen voynich, 2005

wood

variable dimensions 

 

germen voynich, 2005

wood

variable dimensions 

 

jardín portátil, 2001

plants, wooden movable platform

78.74 x 78.74 in.

 

jardín portátil, 2001

plants, wooden movable platform

78.74 x 78.74 in.

 

muro que se desprende, 2002 - 2011

four liters of glue, 20 kilos of glitter

variable dimensions 

 

muro que se desprende, 2002 - 2011

four liters of glue, 20 kilos of glitter

variable dimensions 

 

untitled (méxico), 2001

natural plants, water, nylon, plastic

variable dimensions 

 

untitled (méxico), 2001

natural plants, water, nylon, plastic

variable dimensions 

 

personal cage 1, 2013

welded and forged steel, matte black automotive paint

98.43 x 98.43 in.

 

personal cage 1, 2013

welded and forged steel, matte black automotive paint

98.43 x 98.43 in.

 

personal cage 2, 2013

welded and forged steel, matte black automotive paint

98.43 x 98.43 x 98.43 in.

 

personal cage 2, 2013

welded and forged steel, matte black automotive paint

98.43 x 98.43 x 98.43 in.

 

personal cage 3, 2013

welded and forged steel, matte black automotive paint

98.43 in. diameter

 

personal cage 3, 2013

welded and forged steel, matte black automotive paint

98.43 in. diameter

 

personal cage 4, 2013

welded and forged steel, matte black automotive paint

118.11 x 47.24 in.

 

personal cage 4, 2013

welded and forged steel, matte black automotive paint

118.11 x 47.24 in.

 

permeabilidad translúcida (horizontes I), 2010 - 2011

india paper, water

19.29 x 28.74 in.

 

permeabilidad translúcida (horizontes I), 2010 - 2011

india paper, water

19.29 x 28.74 in.

 

permeabilidad translúcida (horizontes IV), 2010-2011

india paper and water

19.29 x 28.74 in. each

 

permeabilidad translúcida (horizontes IV), 2010-2011

india paper and water

19.29 x 28.74 in. each

 

trébol volcánico, 2006

obsidian

10.63 x 51.18 x 43.31 in.

 

trébol volcánico, 2006

obsidian

10.63 x 51.18 x 43.31 in.

 

muro de construcción, 2011

wood, metal, plaster, cement, stone, glass, mirror, ironworks, brick

installation: 78.74 x 188.98 x 7.87 in.; 7.87 x 7.87 x 7.87 in. each cube 

 

muro de construcción, 2011

wood, metal, plaster, cement, stone, glass, mirror, ironworks, brick

installation: 78.74 x 188.98 x 7.87 in.; 7.87 x 7.87 x 7.87 in. each cube 

 

muro de construcción, 2011

wood, metal, plaster, cement, stone, glass, mirror, ironworks, brick

installation: 78.74 x 188.98 x 7.87 in. each cube: 7.87 x 7.87 x 7.87 in.

 

muro de construcción, 2011

wood, metal, plaster, cement, stone, glass, mirror, ironworks, brick

installation: 78.74 x 188.98 x 7.87 in. each cube: 7.87 x 7.87 x 7.87 in.

 

sofía táboas - Artists - Kurimanzutto

notable exhibitions

Her most important exhibitions include: Intermediate Key, kurimanzutto, Mexico City (2019); Azul sólido, Centro de Arte Caja de Burgos, Spain (2016); Sofía Táboas. Verde Terrestre, Galería Bacelos, Madrid, Spain (2015); Piedra Principio, Fundación RAC, Pontevedra, Spain (2014); Revisiones Superficies Límites, Museo de Arte Carrillo Gil, Mexico City (2011); Cinco Jardines Flotantes Para Cinco Piedras, Casa de Lago Juan José Arreola, Mexico City (2009); Azul Pacífico, Casa Barragán, Mexico City (2008); Silvestre, Sala de Arte Público Siqueiros, Mexico City, (2002).

Additionally, she has participated in group exhibitions at the following institutions: FRAC Bourgogne in Dijon, France (2014); Palacio de Bellas Artes, Mexico City (2013); Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA) Long Beach, California, United States (2012); MUCA-UNAM (Museo Universitario de Ciencias y Arte), Mexico City, (2008); The Moore Building, Miami, United States (2002).

Video