Federica Baeza writes - Picture the bark of a tree encroaching on the intricate patterns of a sidewalk trash can. The gray tones of a sycamore tree slowly absorb the ironwork, creating a merging zone shaped by the passage of time. As long as the tree lives, this form continues to evolve. This image encapsulates the blend of planning, accident, and the slow, natural process that unfolds beyond our immediate perception.

What we see is the outcome of a fortuitous event that remains open-ended. It’s akin to a buoy washed ashore, initially designed for a specific purpose but altered by its environment. Barnacles and algae cling to it, while the sun and saltwater erode its form, texture, and color. This current state reveals an intriguing reversal of the original design intent.

This image of the tree bark was one of the first inspirations for Grupo Bondi in the late 2000s. It’s compelling because it embodies the paradox of extended time and the opposite of deliberate design. It highlights what happens naturally, without direction—a true event, a sort of anomaly.

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