Borondo’s *Chrysalis*: Investigating Themes of Change at Villa Stuck in Munich
# **Borondo’s *Chrysalis*: Investigating Themes of Transformation at Villa Stuck in Munich**
Spanish creator Gonzalo Borondo is renowned for his immersive artworks that blur the divisions between painting, sculpture, and spatial experience. His latest exhibition, *Chrysalis*, at Villa Stuck in Munich exemplifies this, providing attendees with a multisensory exploration of themes related to metamorphosis, the flow of time, and both personal and communal transformation. *Chrysalis* symbolizes a phase of evolution and transition in a manner consistent with Borondo’s unique artistic expression.
## **A Symbol of Change**
The title *Chrysalis* references the pivotal stage in a butterfly’s lifecycle, symbolizing metamorphosis and renewal. By using this metaphor, Borondo encourages viewers to contemplate personal and societal transformation, as well as the indistinct boundary between destruction and renewal. The exhibition develops as a sensory experience, leading visitors through different phases of change.
Villa Stuck, with its rich architectural and historical significance, provides an appropriate backdrop for Borondo’s investigation of transformation. The building, initially constructed as the living and working space for artist Franz von Stuck, represents a confluence of history, art, and modern reinterpretation—creating an ideal environment for *Chrysalis*, which examines the fleeting nature of identity and space.
## **Engaging Storytelling and Spatial Interaction**
Borondo’s method transcends standard exhibition formats; he combines architecture, installation, painting, and sound to craft an enveloping experience. Layers of paint, glass, and transient materials create surreal compositions that respond to light and space, shifting as visitors navigate the exhibition.
A hallmark of *Chrysalis* is its interaction with the architectural character of Villa Stuck. Borondo alters the existing space, introducing delicate materials, shadows, and reflections that highlight the temporary essence of transformation. His distinctive application of scratched glass—where he strips pigment to unveil images—reinforces the concepts of emergence and insight, mirroring the metamorphic theme central to the exhibition.
## **Exploring Memory and the Invisible**
Transformation in *Chrysalis* encompasses both the physical and the conceptual. Borondo juxtaposes past and present, connecting memory to ongoing change. His works frequently examine themes of presence and absence, where figures appear to materialize and vanish amid the layers of material, akin to memories within the passage of time.
By engaging with the intangible and the fleeting, Borondo invites viewers to reflect on their own transformations, emphasizing how we are influenced by our surroundings, history, and personal narratives. This focus on transience is amplified by his choice of materials that deteriorate, shift, or interact with light, ensuring that each visitor experiences the exhibition uniquely.
## **A Modern Reflection on Transformation**
Amid today’s rapidly evolving cultural and societal contexts, *Chrysalis* serves as a significant reflection on transformation—impacting both individuals and the collective. As societies navigate structural changes, political developments, and shifting identities, Borondo’s art symbolizes these unpredictable yet inevitable transitions.
His use of delicate, impermanent materials speaks to the fleeting nature of our era, where even the physical environment—towns, surroundings, and cultural landscapes—is in a state of constant change. In this regard, *Chrysalis* transcends being merely an exhibition; it offers an experience that encourages contemplation about how transformation influences our perceptions, identities, and futures.
## **Conclusion**
Borondo’s *Chrysalis* at Villa Stuck is a profound investigation into metamorphosis, memory, and transience. Through his skillful manipulation of space, ephemeral materials, and light, he crafts a compelling dialogue between past and present, the visible and the invisible. As visitors journey through the exhibition, they are prompted to consider their own transformations—both internal and external—making *Chrysalis* not simply an art installation but rather a deeply personal and philosophical exploration.
By reinterpreting Villa Stuck as a space of transformation, Borondo honors the venue’s historical depth while redefining its spatial narrative, once again demonstrating his capability to convert art into an immersive, sensory encounter.