The work entitled Estante e Colecção de livros de autores que se suicidaram, 2000, by Fernanda Fragateiro, is highlighted as it takes part in the exhibition Joga o Jogo: Partida… Em torno da Coleção da Caixa Geral de Depósitos, currently on view at MU.SA – Museu das Artes de Sintra. The exhibition opened on May 18 and will remain until August 31, 2025.

The work was first presented in another setup under the title Lugares Perfeitos 1 at the Assírio & Alvim bookshop in 1997. At the time, the floor was covered with an artificial forest made of wooden models of trees; on the shelves, viewers could consult the collection of books by authors who committed suicide. In 2000, a second version of the piece was shown in Lugares Perfeitos 2,an exhibition presentedat the Elba Benítez Gallery in Madrid. The work was then paired with Benches, 2000, in an installation which was also acquired for the CGD Collection. Two benches arranged in an L shape are covered with cushions that reproduce paintings by Piet Mondrian. Visitors can sit on the cushions and read the books on display in the shelves of Estante e Colecção de livros de autores que se suicidaram, 2000. Fragateiro’s works “are devices that create moments of real use by the viewer, as if the reason for their existence were always primarily linked to carrying out a function, most of the time intended to be enjoyed collectively.” (Delfim Sardo). The design of the bookshelf has two revealing references. On the one hand, it replicates architect Gregori Warchavchik’s (1896-1972) design for his Modernist House project (1930) on Rua Itápolis, in São Paulo. The continuous S-shaped line drives the bookcase into its possible infinitude. On the other, it brings up Musée à Croissance Illimité, 1939, by the architect Le Corbusier (1887-1965), a project about making it possible to have new wings built in a museum to accompany the growth of its collections. The artist has been working on the rapport between different universes connected by formal and poetic bridges. The books on the shelf are, as shown by the title of the work, by authors who committed suicide. However, suicide is seen “as an act of liberty” (Fernanda Fragateiro), in a dialogue with an unpredictable and infinite future. The shelf also has free space to house future authors and titles to be added to the collection.

Born in Montijo, 1962, Fernanda Fragateiro attended Escola de Artes Decorativas António Arroio (1978-81), at Ar.Co – Centro de Arte e Comunicação Visual (1981-82), and studied Sculpture at the Escola Superior de Belas-Artes (1983-87), Lisbon. She has produced several public works, the highlights being: Jardim das Ondas,1998, Expo'98/Parque das Nações, Lisbon; Eu Espero, 1999, 5th International Symposium of Contemporary Sculpture of Santo Tirso; Desenho Suspenso, 2011, Quinta do Pisão, Cascais; Concrete Poem, 2012, Vila Nova da Barquinha. She has been honoured with prestigious awards throughout her career, such as, Prémio Tabaqueira de Arte Pública, Azores, 2001 and the AICA/MC/Millennium bcp Award for Visual Arts in 2017.

Hugo Dinis
Exhibition curator
Joga o Jogo: Partida… Em torno da Coleção da Caixa Geral de Depósitos,
MU.SA – Sintra Museum of Arts