Inspiration

Brick Block, Tick Tock draws from the legacy of Basso Pietrobon’s two grandfathers from Veneto, Italy—one a bricklayer and construction worker, the other a ceramicist. Pietrobon’s ten years working in New York City’s construction industry, further exposed her to the pervasive realities of gender-based violence and systemic inequalities. These personal and professional experiences, combined with her reflections on the complex and controversial relationship between artists Carl Andre and Ana Mendieta, became the foundation for this symbolic project.

At the project’s core are five ceramic brick forms, symbolizing the resilience and balance necessary for reconstruction. Arranged to reflect harmony and equality, they challenge societal norms and patriarchal structures.

Lamps

Drawing on Jasper Johns’s infamous saying, “Take an object. Do something to it. Do something else to it,” the brick sculptures are accompanied by photographs and paintings which duplicate these dimensional forms. The bricks are used for the concept of constructing and building a home, but I am also interested in bringing these building forms to create objects for the home itself, such as lamps, tables, and wall dividers.

Vases

The fractured geometry of the vases reflects Mendieta’s connection to nature, contrasting with Carl Andre’s rigid geometric forms.

Installation

The project honors Ana Mendieta, whose life and tragic death at 36 spotlight the silencing of women and gender-based violence. The installation features 36 brick forms to signify her age, and their stacked height of 5 feet 10 inches matches her stature, challenging the circumstances of her alleged fall. In exhibitions, a canvas of the same size covers an open window, evoking Mendieta’s untimely death.

Performance

The sound piece Tick Tock features a performance in which the artist constructs various forms by arranging bricks with concrete to create tables, stools, wall partitions, and other structures. These pieces are later shared with galleries, museums, public installations, or offered at auction.

Dance

Drawing on 15 years of experience as a dancer, Basso Pietrobon performs a ballet atop the ceramic bricks, captured in a series of evocative photographs. These images emphasize the expressive power of non-verbal communication, exploring the dynamic interplay between motion and stillness. The performance underscores silence as a deeply impactful medium for conveying emotion and meaning.

Etching

As part of the collection, the Tower tarot card is etched into metal, reflecting the traditional craftsmanship used in early tarot card creation. The imagery incorporates the project’s five brick forms, transforming them into a visual representation of the tower. This serves as a metaphor for growth through disruption, symbolizing the breaking down of old structures and rebuilding anew. The Tower card embodies the idea of life’s foundations crumbling, offering the opportunity to reconstruct not only one’s personal journey but also a vision of a world grounded in gender equality.