Margarida Sardinha

“Know oh brother... the study of sensible geometry evokes skill in all practical arts, while the study of intelligible geometry evokes skill in the intellectual arts because this science is one of the portals through which we move towards the knowledge of the essence of the soul, and this is the root of all knowledge...” - Rasa’il Brotherhood of Purity, translated by S.H. Nasr

Symmetry’s Portal (trailer)
25:00 min. 3D anaglyph optical illusion, experimental 3D animation digital film – 2006-13
written & directed by Margarida Sardinha
soundtrack by António Vilhena d’Andrade
photography, animation & image editing by Margarida Sardinha
voice by Margarida Sardinha
chanting music - Sūrah Yā-Sīn, Quran-Surah 36

Symmetry’s Portal is an project by the artist Margarida Sardinha, that has over a lengthy period of time, been extensively focused on the concepts of symmetry and optical illusion. The exhibition expands geometrically a wide photographic survey of the Alhambra in Granada documented by the artist. This photographic assemblage is digitally used to deconstruct symmetry and to generate illusory semblances. Thus, Symmetry’s Portal is a series of optical illusions where the symmetric and random are diluted in works containing a digital background photograph and a three-dimensional polyhedron overlaying it; where symmetry’s isometrism is deconstructed or complemented by the three-dimensional polyhedra and its image’s similitude evokes various illusory spatiotemporal dimensions. This multidimensional interlace lies both in three-dimensional photographic works of large format as well as in the experimental film that constitute the showcase. The thirty works and the film “Symmetry’s Portal” which comprise the exhibition were devised connecting the geometric and mathematical descriptions of Keith Critchlow - where the study of Islamic patterns is analysed via metaphysical and cosmological principles -, Marcus du Sautoy and Roger Penrose.

Symmetry’s Portal has been exhibited as a solo show at the Aga Khan Foundation Ismaili Crentre of Lisbon in 2015, at Carousell London in 2016, at Capela do Solar dos Póvoas in Simpósio Internacional de Arte Contemporânea of Guarda in 2017, and at Ericeira Cultural Centre in 2014. A selection of works and the film were also curated by Neil McConnon for the Reflectios exhibition at London’s Opera Gallery in 2015.