Pasos 1936

Antonio Berni's painting presents us with two figures, one with outstretched arms, the other fixed at a sewing machine. Consider the raised arms. They echo gestures seen in ancient orant figures, supplicants reaching towards the divine. The figure's posture hints at a cry for help, a plea against the weight of destiny. The sewing machine—a symbol of domesticity and labor—becomes a modern-day loom of fate, shaping lives with relentless precision. Think back to the weaving fates of ancient mythology, such as the Greek Moirai, who spin the thread of life. Berni subtly merges these archetypal images, embedding the mundane with profound emotional resonance. This interplay taps into our collective memory, engaging viewers on a subconscious level. The symbol resurfaces, evolved and now recontextualized: a young person stands rigid with their arms raised and helpless.