Rosa dos Ventos [Compass Rose] is a relational sculpture, constructed as a large circular loom. It was conceived through finger knitting, an activity that Robertha Blatt, in partnership with Aline Gonet, has been developing during therapy sessions. Its main purpose is to ensure a wisdom transmitted by the body, independent of the knitter’s skill level, since manual work stimulates the sensory and cognitive perception of everyone. The concepts of approximation and transformation permeate the people available to get in touch with more intimate emotions, such as frustration and blockage. Around a collective making, conversations allow for the engendering of bonds of solidarity. The fabric of “Rosa dos Ventos” was woven with the participation of groups of all ages. Its design acquired contours that refer to the umbilical cord and also to the “Tereza” – a braid made of sheets, made to be thrown out the window in order to escape from prison.

The work also evokes the qualities of time, effort, and labor, necessary to give rise to birth. The choice of fabric color highlights the yellow of Portinari’s painting, pointed out as a sacred color in the Christian and Chinese tradition by the art critic Mário Pedrosa.”