Manuela de Laborde

Manuela de Laborde (b. 1989, Mexico City) lives and works in Mexico City. At first glance, her work presents aesthetic and sensory propositions, reaching toward a delicate spectrum of sensations. However, its presentation is performative—soaked in temporality—and its intention is conceptual. Her practice revolves around a search to locate and isolate the concepts constructed around tangible elements, in order to generate abstractions that regenerate their image and reposition their force within new contexts. Virtual spaces emerge, bringing with them proposals for change. Her work reflects on presence, drawing inspiration from the simplicity of certain formations, the economical yet expansive nature of propositions, the potential of host bodies, and the playful resonance of philosophical inquiry.

De Laborde has exhibited individually and in group exhibitions at Jardín 17 Barragán, Mexico City, MX; PEANA, Mexico City, MX; Galerie Anton Janizewski, Berlin, DE; among others. She has participated in residencies at Light Cone, Paris, FR; Museo Rufino Tamayo, Mexico City, MX; and Internationale Kurzfilmtage Oberhausen, DE. Her films have been shown in numerous festivals including the New York Film Festival, NY, US; BFI London, UK; FICUNAM, Mexico City, MX; and the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York, US. De Laborde has been awarded the Grand Prix at 25fps Zagreb and the Jury Award at the 24th CUFF.