Carlos Amorales: Nube negra (Black cloud)
This is the first time that a single installation will be the focus of a publication dedicated to art. The installation is called Nube Negra (Black Cloud).
The artwork can be visited until September at the Casa de México in Madrid (Spain). A place that every visitor of arrival in Mdrid should visit
Nube Negra is a creation by Carlos Amorales, who appears to be a Mexican artist whose work is internationally recognized.
The name of the installation is more than fitting, as it consists of thirty thousand black butterflies and moths of hundreds of different species, which cover the walls and ceilings of the Casa de México like a huge black cloud.
Three thousand hand-cut black paper butterflies placed one by one on the walls and ceilings.A creation that deserves a publication all to itself.
The visual impact is undeniable—and I’m not just speaking from my own experience. During one of my visits, two women expressed their surprise and discomfort at the color of the butterflies:
- If only they weren’t black…
I’ve also received different reactions from friends with whom I shared images of the exhibition. One of them spoke to me about Jung’s shadow and the need to integrate it. Another friend told me she loves butterflies, even if they’re black, adding that she would dance with joy surrounded by this cloud of butterflies.
In a note written on a wall, Carlos Amorales explains the intent behind the work:
- It appears to be an ecological warning. It seems to highlight the vulnerability of ecosystems, as the exhibition is a recreation of the monarch butterfly’s migration—an insect that is highly sensitive to changes in the environment.
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Regardless of the artist’s intention, what seems undeniable is the emotional impact of the installation.
The change in the butterflies’ color—to black—triggers neural networks associated with death or mourning (at least in my/our culture).
The butterfly ceases to be a symbol of life and transformation and becomes a harbinger of disaster.
The sheer number of butterflies—thirty thousand of them—combined with their dark color transports us to other meanings, to another semantic field: cloud, plague, smoke, etc.
The unsettling result—at least that’s how I felt it—stems from a series of artistic interventions. The change in the butterflies’ color alters their meaning: rather than symbolizing life, metamorphosis, or fragility, they become harbingers of darkness. Their sheer number transforms the butterflies into a menacing cloud.
Finally, the change in setting also shapes the work’s meaning. The butterflies are not found in nature but rather seem to be invading our buildings.
Through these techniques, the artist transforms a symbol of hope and renewal into a plague, a black cloud, or pollution.
The various impressions the installation can evoke—as I mentioned earlier—point to a work open to interpretation, in which our perception can also shift across different levels.
A cultural level, in which the artist plays with the clash between the cultural significance of the butterfly (life, metamorphosis, change, delicacy…) and the color black (death, mourning, pain…).
On a more complex level, when the work is viewed as a system, the installation multiplies its impact through the interaction between its various elements: butterflies, color, number, and the shift (from nature to “civilization”).
Certainly, a single black butterfly seen in a large garden would evoke more curiosity than fear. However, this vast “Black Cloud” undoubtedly becomes a powerful magnet for drawing to the consciousness more negative sensations, emotions, and interpretations (a plague, death, ecological disaster).
Patterns
Another, more complex level—in which the butterfly disappears and dissolves into the whole—is that of patterns.
Although for many people, Black Cloud, given what was mentioned earlier, may allude to death, a plague, or pollution, in my case, the work evoked the biological phenomenon of metastasis.
This is undoubtedly due to the pattern represented by Nube Negra. I’m not sure if it’s clearly visible in the photographs, but Nube Negra features undulating shapes that give the impression of movement; a cloud that seems to pause at closed doors and invade spaces when there are no obstacles to hinder its expansion.
As I perceive it, for me it is a pattern of expansion. A dark energy that expands uncontrollably, invading a building (a body) and encountering no limits.
In this case, I do not perceive a butterfly, a group of them, or a system, but rather a pattern that evokes a process of uncontrolled expansion: metastasis.
The installation also evokes trauma for me. In a traumatic experience, a dark energy also expands without limits: an energy that “contaminates” dreams, self-image, relationships (Freud’s “compulsion to repeat”), thoughts, and the body.
I conclude by associating the pattern depicted in this installation with the fires currently ravaging Madrid. Black flames that devour everything in their path.
I hope this analysis of Nube Negra's levels has been helpful to you.
This exercise in applied psychology ends here.
I hope you liked this post.
Thank you for joining me here.
Banner edited with Canva pro and cropped with ezgif.com.
Avatar created with IA Ideogram.
Translated into English from my native language Spanish with Google Translator.
All photographs are my own.
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Wow, the photos are impressive! In person, it must be quite a sight. It immediately evokes a scene from a psychological horror film, a dreamlike scene from a disturbing movie. Although the artist's message may differ, each person can interpret it differently, due to cultural, religious, or other factors, as you rightly point out.
It's a magnificent work, having to create three black butterflies from the paper they're made of. I understand that for some it might be unsettling, while for others, like me, it's fascinating.
Good evening from here, @jcrodriguez. The installation is amazing... and as you rightly point out, it can evoke many things in those who immerse themselves in it. You're also absolutely right about the artist's message. It's not the first time I've seen a socially conscious artist reference climate change... although the interpretation, of course, can be very different from the artist's intention.
Thanks so much for stopping by. Have a wonderful weekend.
Buenas noches de aquí, @jcrodriguez. La instalación es alucinante... y como bien señalas puede evocar muchas cosas a quien se "sumerge" en ella. También tienes mucha razón con la observación sobre el mensaje del artista. No es la primera vez que veo que un artista "concienciado" hace referencia al cambio climático... aunque la lectura, desde luego, puede ser muy diferente a la intención del autor.
Muchas gracias por pasar. Te deseo un bonito fin de semana.
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You’ve set up three nets to catch the butterflies… mmmm… without reading the expo catalog I can’t really see that black cloud as something harmful. Maybe it’s just the disintegration of the shadow, which doesn’t necessarily have to be bad. We only need to be aware of what we are and what we come from. This post turned out spectacular, and the photos are amazing.
I hope the fires stop and that the black cloud you smell in Madrid dissipates soon.
🤗
Good afternoon @nanixxx, the whole universe is connected... three times?? The installation has a powerful visual impact, no doubt about it. The biggest challenge is to capture at least some of that power and show it to anyone who passes by. The photos were taken during two visits, and I've discarded quite a few... Regarding the meaning... the curious thing is that, so far, no comment coincides with the creator's intention...
A big hug and always: thank you!!
Hola 👋🏻 😅📷
Holaaaa!!
Hello, my lovely reader. 😊 You know, you are also a dancer of joy and wonder amidst the dark clouds. It is clear that it would be very beautiful in color. But this would be practically like appreciating beauty in darkness and strength in stumbling blocks. Very lovely—warm regards. 🤗
Good morning, my favorite poet. I love that your gaze, instead of seeing darkness, is able to see the beauty within it. You have a big heart. Thank you.
A big hug, Sarix.
WoW hasta quede pensando de si eran reales o IA las fotos pero la IA no es tan buena.... 😮😮!!
No, it's not AI... it's the work of a great creator... thanks for commenting.
A big hello
Si, me di cuenta despues jaja 😅😅
La verdad es que es una conclusión bastante lógica la de la IA.... yo no hubiera tenido la paciencia suficiente como para crear 3000 meriposas y después pegarlas una a una... 😱😂
Bendito el arte cuando se presenta así.
!Gracias por compartirlo con nosotros!
When I read Thirty Thousand Butterflies, I wondered why thirty thousand and not fewer or more, and three is a very important number that signifies receiving what one asks for and abundance. It’s true that the colour black evokes things that are at odds with life, but black is used in chromotherapy to ward off negative energy. It’s not that I want to turn a negative effect into a positive one, but I tried to look into it, because the artwork is fascinating; walking amongst those butterflies is marvellous.
I understand why people don’t like black, in fact, I don’t wear that absence of light myself, but after darkness comes light, and perhaps they’ll fly towards that light and change everything. I absolutely loved it; it’s amazing what this artist has done, every butterfly cut out and placed by hand!! Thank you and a big hug!🤗
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Good afternoon @avdesing. I think the interpretation of the installation is very open, but even so, I believe the artist has managed to convey something to each visitor. It's not an exhibition that leaves you indifferent. I didn't think much about the number 3 when I visited the exhibition... but you're right, 3 symbolizes renewal.
Thank you again for your comment and support. You know I'm very grateful.
I hope you enjoy a wonderful Sunday afternoon.
Buenas tardes @avdesing. Creo que la interpretación de la instalación es muy abierta, pero aunque es abierta creo que lo que si ha logrado el artista es transmitir algo a cada visitante. No es una exposición que deje indiferente. No pensé mucho en el número 3 cuando visité la exposición.. pero tienes razón el 3 simboliza renovación.
De nuevo muchas gracias por el comentario y el apoyo. Sabes que estoy muy agrdecido.
Espero que disfrutes de una gran tarde de domingo.
Te aseguro que nadie puede quedar indiferente a semejante vista, es como entrar en un cuento de sueños, mariposas... sabes me encantan las mariposas, no importa el color, y también pensaba, ellas son el cambio, y aunque simbolicen la muerte es bueno, es sólo el paso hacia el otro lado, el verdadero.
Feliz domingo!!
Últimamente llevo a Diógenes conmigo y una sobre todo una imagen (últimamente la uso con frecuencia): cuando Diógenes es desterrado, dice que el castigo es quedarse en la ciudad (más o menos). El castigo es esta vida....
Un abrazo muy grande, y de nuevo, y no me canso de decirlo, gracias, gracias, gracias. Feliz domingo!!
jajaja sabes que decidimos venir aquí verdad? Cada uno tendrá sus razones. Tranquilo luego vamos a un lugar genial, no hay castigos!🤗
Yo, que tengo el mi lado oscuro, si me imagino un castigo final..... volver a la misma vida... el eterno retorno... eso para los malos. 😜
Pero nooooo, vamos para la luz che! Pero que cosa que no aprende! Me salió la argentina🤣
Si lo dices en argentino... sera que las cosas son así... 😂
🤣 venimos a vivir esta experiencia, buena o mala, eso es, allá es que todo era muy aburrido😆
Hasta mañana!
Hasta mañana!! 😂🤗
🤗👋
We appreciate your work and your publication has been hand selected by the geography curation team on behalf of the Amazing Nature AN Community. Keep up the good work!
Hola @enraizar, buenas noches :)
Aunque el nombre es Nube Negra, en la primera foto hay un reflejo verde en el cristal de los árboles; por un momento pensé que las mariposas también eran verdes, llenas de vida.
El color negro para mí es elegante, y me gusta el negro, aunque sí, los pensamientos oscuros, el patrón de expansión de la energía negra no son agradables ni sanos. Traen sufrimiento si no alcanzamos a ver la luz y esperanza. Sin embargo, todas tus fotos me gustan igual que la instalación y los efectos visuales que transmite. Gracias por llevarnos allí. 😇
Good evening @mipiano, you can definitely see the reflections of the trees; you're a very observant person. And there's a point I think should be in the piece, even though I didn't see it... hope. It seems the intention of the work is to warn about the consequences of mistreating nature, rather than being a dark and hopeless piece.
You mention suffering... and you're very wise... light is the way out. Embrace hope and let go of resignation.
Thank you so much for visiting. I wish you a wonderful start to the week. 😊🤗
Wow, sir, it looks very shocking. I personally wouldn't go; I feel invaded by dark thoughts.
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Tan lindas las mariposas negras, son de verdad?
There’s a neighbor near my house we call "Black Cloud"-not because he’s a butterfly, but because he’s just so incredibly negative all the time.
Wao, a pesar de la sensación asfixiante, me encantó lo que quiso plasmar el artista y también tu interpretación. Además de que tiene sentido lo de una metástasis, yo lo interpreté más como los pensamientos internos fuera de control, aquellos que nos hacen rumiar sin parar en preocupaciones, obsesiones, rencores, suposiciones, etc., nos quedamos allí en la sombra dándole vueltas a todo y dándole cada vez más poder. Así se vería una mente que no para de enfermarse a sí misma. Excelente publicación @enraizar 🤗, un abrazo.