{"id":1813246,"date":"2026-03-07T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-06T21:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1813246"},"modified":"2026-03-07T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-03-06T21:00:00","slug":"alvaro-urbano-suspends-fleeting-moments-of-decay-in-metal-plants","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1813246","title":{"rendered":"\u00c1lvaro Urbano Suspends Fleeting Moments of Decay in Metal Plants"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"entry-content prose-colossal max-w-none\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull is-style-default entry-header is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-fe9cc265 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"colo-post-featured-image wp-block-post-featured-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2667\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/urbano-2.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"an installation view of a suspended branch with leaves and small white flowers by Alvaro Urbano\" style=\"object-fit:cover\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Installation view, \u2018A\u0301lvaro Urbano: PRELUDE\u2019 (2025), Marian Goodman Gallery, New York. Photo by Elisabeth, courtesy of the artist and Marian Goodman Gallery. All images shared with permission<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group post-title is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-0bc941e6 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<h1 class=\"alignfull wp-block-post-title\">\u00c1lvaro Urbano Suspends Fleeting Moments of Decay in Metal Plants<\/h1>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull post-meta is-layout-flex wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-date\"><time datetime=\"2026-03-07T08:31:38-06:00\">March 7, 2026<\/time><\/div>\n<div class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a class=\"category-art\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/category\/art\/\" rel=\"tag\">Art<\/a><a class=\"category-nature\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/category\/nature\/\" rel=\"tag\">Nature<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-author-name\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/author\/gebert\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"wp-block-post-author-name__link\">Grace Ebert<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull post-share-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-6c531013 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-outermost-social-sharing has-visible-labels has-icon-color is-style-logos-only is-layout-flex wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-is-layout-flex\">\n<li style=\"color: #1c1e0d\" class=\"outermost-social-sharing-link outermost-social-sharing-link-facebook has-crow-color wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thisiscolossal.com%2F2026%2F03%2Falvaro-urbano-metal-plants%2F&amp;title=%C3%81lvaro%20Urbano%20Suspends%20Fleeting%20Moments%20of%20Decay%20in%20Metal%20Plants\" aria-label=\"Share\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link-anchor\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link-label \"><br \/>\n\t\t\tShare\t\t<\/span><br \/>\n\t<\/a>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"color: #1c1e0d\" class=\"outermost-social-sharing-link outermost-social-sharing-link-mail has-crow-color wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/cdn-cgi\/l\/email-protection#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\" aria-label=\"Email\" class=\"wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link-anchor\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link-label \"><br \/>\n\t\t\tEmail\t\t<\/span><br \/>\n\t<\/a>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><button class=\"simplefavorite-button preset\" data-postid=\"470716\" data-siteid=\"1\" data-groupid=\"1\" data-favoritecount=\"0\"><i class=\"sf-icon-bookmark\"><\/i>Bookmark<\/button>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Anyone who\u2019s decried the seasonal blip we call autumn knows how rapidly nature can swing from verdant greenery to leafless branches. The same goes for the missed watering of an overlooked houseplant: skip a week and bear witness to browning edges that curl into a crisp. As quickly as these natural changes occur, so do their remedies or downfalls, and soon we\u2019re spotting new buds or depositing the evidence of our negligence in the compost bin.<\/p>\n<p>For <a href=\"https:\/\/alvarourbano.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u00c1lvaro Urbano<\/a>, the brief period between blossom and decay is one to be preserved. He sculpts common plants from metal, casting vulnerable life forms into a sturdy material and rendering their colors and textures in paint. It\u2019s an act of making \u201csmall monuments of things that normally would disappear or change in a few days, or in minutes,\u201d the artist says.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/urbano-1.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-470716\" title=\"\u201cTABLEAU VIVANT (Dogwood)\u201d (2024), metal and paint, 175 x 125 x 88 centimeters. Photo by Marjorie Brunet Plaza, courtesy of the artist and Marian Goodman Gallery\" data-rl_title=\"\u201cTABLEAU VIVANT (Dogwood)\u201d (2024), metal and paint, 175 x 125 x 88 centimeters. Photo by Marjorie Brunet Plaza, courtesy of the artist and Marian Goodman Gallery\" data-rl_caption=\"\u201cTABLEAU VIVANT (Dogwood)\u201d (2024), metal and paint, 175 x 125 x 88 centimeters. Photo by Marjorie Brunet Plaza, courtesy of the artist and Marian Goodman Gallery\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2667\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/urbano-1.jpg\" alt=\"a detail image of a branch with leaves and small white flowers by Alvaro Urbano\" class=\"wp-image-470819\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\u201cTABLEAU VIVANT (Dogwood)\u201d (2024), metal and paint, 175 x 125 x 88 centimeters. Photo by Marjorie Brunet Plaza, courtesy of the artist and Marian Goodman Gallery<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Drawing on theater and architecture, Urbano is deeply interested in creating not only standalone works but immersive scenes. His sculptures often leave a trail of leaves on the floor or appear to grow directly from the stark gallery wall, their knotted branches jutting out into the space. \u201cThe viewer can enter these situations as if they are witnesses (to) a scene that has already started,\u201d the artist adds.<\/p>\n<p>Urbano lives and works between Paris and Berlin and has work on view in the latter at <a href=\"https:\/\/spore-initiative.org\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Spore Initiative<\/a>. Find more on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/alvaro_urbano\/?hl=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/urbano-5.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-470716\" title=\"Installation view of \u2018A\u0301lvaro Urbano: GRANADA GRANADA\u2019 (2023), Travesi\u0301 a Cuatro, Mexico City. Photo by Ramiro Chaves, courtesy of the artist and Travesi\u0301 a Cuatro\" data-rl_title=\"Installation view of \u2018A\u0301lvaro Urbano: GRANADA GRANADA\u2019 (2023), Travesi\u0301 a Cuatro, Mexico City. Photo by Ramiro Chaves, courtesy of the artist and Travesi\u0301 a Cuatro\" data-rl_caption=\"Installation view of \u2018A\u0301lvaro Urbano: GRANADA GRANADA\u2019 (2023), Travesi\u0301 a Cuatro, Mexico City. Photo by Ramiro Chaves, courtesy of the artist and Travesi\u0301 a Cuatro\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2668\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/urbano-5.jpg\" alt=\"a red rose sculpture by Alvaro Urbano in a white corner\" class=\"wp-image-470823\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Installation view of \u2018A\u0301lvaro Urbano: GRANADA GRANADA\u2019 (2023), Travesi\u0301 a Cuatro, Mexico City. Photo by Ramiro Chaves, courtesy of the artist and Travesi\u0301 a Cuatro<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/urbano-3.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-470716\" title=\"\u201cHotel Gazmira (Musa acuminata)\u201d (2025), metal and paint, 200 x 35 x 37 centimeters. Photo by Marjorie Brunet Plaza, courtesy of the artist\" data-rl_title=\"\u201cHotel Gazmira (Musa acuminata)\u201d (2025), metal and paint, 200 x 35 x 37 centimeters. Photo by Marjorie Brunet Plaza, courtesy of the artist\" data-rl_caption=\"\u201cHotel Gazmira (Musa acuminata)\u201d (2025), metal and paint, 200 x 35 x 37 centimeters. Photo by Marjorie Brunet Plaza, courtesy of the artist\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2667\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/urbano-3.jpg\" alt=\"two large suspended leaf sculptures by Alvaro Urbano that appear to be dying and turning brown and yellow. both are suspended upside down on a wall\" class=\"wp-image-470821\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\u201cHotel Gazmira (Musa acuminata)\u201d (2025), metal and paint, 200 x 35 x 37 centimeters. Photo by Marjorie Brunet Plaza, courtesy of the artist<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/urbano-8.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-470716\" title=\"Detail of \u201cHotel Gazmira (Musa acuminata)\u201d (2025)\" data-rl_title=\"Detail of \u201cHotel Gazmira (Musa acuminata)\u201d (2025)\" data-rl_caption=\"Detail of \u201cHotel Gazmira (Musa acuminata)\u201d (2025)\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/urbano-8.jpg\" alt=\"a detail image of a metal leaf by Alvaro Urbano that appears to be dying and turning brown and yellow\" class=\"wp-image-470826\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Detail of \u201cHotel Gazmira (Musa acuminata)\u201d (2025)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/urbano-4.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-470716\" title=\"\u201cIn\u00e9s\u201d (2025), metal and paint, 50 x 35 x 125 centimeters. Photo by Marjorie Brunet Plaza, courtesy of the artist\" data-rl_title=\"\u201cIn\u00e9s\u201d (2025), metal and paint, 50 x 35 x 125 centimeters. Photo by Marjorie Brunet Plaza, courtesy of the artist\" data-rl_caption=\"\u201cIn\u00e9s\u201d (2025), metal and paint, 50 x 35 x 125 centimeters. Photo by Marjorie Brunet Plaza, courtesy of the artist\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2667\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/urbano-4.jpg\" alt=\"a potted plant sculpture by Alvaro Urbano with yellowing leaves and two dropped on the floor\" class=\"wp-image-470822\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">\u201cIn\u00e9s\u201d (2025), metal and paint, 50 x 35 x 125 centimeters. Photo by Marjorie Brunet Plaza, courtesy of the artist<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/urbano-7.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-470716\" title=\"Installation view of \u2018A\u0301lvaro Urbano: GRANADA GRANADA\u2019 (2023), Travesi\u0301 a Cuatro, Mexico City. Photo by Ramiro Chaves, courtesy of the artist and Travesi\u0301 a Cuatro\" data-rl_title=\"Installation view of \u2018A\u0301lvaro Urbano: GRANADA GRANADA\u2019 (2023), Travesi\u0301 a Cuatro, Mexico City. Photo by Ramiro Chaves, courtesy of the artist and Travesi\u0301 a Cuatro\" data-rl_caption=\"Installation view of \u2018A\u0301lvaro Urbano: GRANADA GRANADA\u2019 (2023), Travesi\u0301 a Cuatro, Mexico City. Photo by Ramiro Chaves, courtesy of the artist and Travesi\u0301 a Cuatro\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1395\" height=\"1703\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/urbano-7.jpg\" alt=\"a monstera sculpture by Alvaro Urbano in a white corner\" class=\"wp-image-470825\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Installation view of \u2018A\u0301lvaro Urbano: GRANADA GRANADA\u2019 (2023), Travesi\u0301 a Cuatro, Mexico City. Photo by Ramiro Chaves, courtesy of the artist and Travesi\u0301 a Cuatro<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/urbano-6.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-470716\" title=\"Installation view of \u2018A\u0301lvaro Urbano: GRANADA GRANADA\u2019 (2023), Travesi\u0301 a Cuatro, Mexico City. Photo by Ramiro Chaves, courtesy of the artist and Travesi\u0301 a Cuatro\" data-rl_title=\"Installation view of \u2018A\u0301lvaro Urbano: GRANADA GRANADA\u2019 (2023), Travesi\u0301 a Cuatro, Mexico City. Photo by Ramiro Chaves, courtesy of the artist and Travesi\u0301 a Cuatro\" data-rl_caption=\"Installation view of \u2018A\u0301lvaro Urbano: GRANADA GRANADA\u2019 (2023), Travesi\u0301 a Cuatro, Mexico City. Photo by Ramiro Chaves, courtesy of the artist and Travesi\u0301 a Cuatro\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/urbano-6.jpg\" alt=\"a monstera sculpture by Alvaro Urbano in a white corner\" class=\"wp-image-470824\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Installation view of \u2018A\u0301lvaro Urbano: GRANADA GRANADA\u2019 (2023), Travesi\u0301 a Cuatro, Mexico City. Photo by Ramiro Chaves, courtesy of the artist and Travesi\u0301 a Cuatro<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<aside class=\"after-entry\" role=\"complementary\" aria-label=\"After Entry\">\n<section id=\"block-16\" class=\"widget widget_block widget_text\">\n<p><mark style=\"background-color:#88caf0\" class=\"has-inline-color\"><strong>Do stories and artists like this matter to you?<\/strong><\/mark> Become a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/members\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"118516\">Colossal Member<\/a> now, and support independent arts publishing.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"block-17\" class=\"widget widget_block\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top member-benefits is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Hide advertising<\/li>\n<li>Save your favorite articles<\/li>\n<li>Get 15% off in the <a href=\"https:\/\/colossal.shop\/\">Colossal Shop<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Receive members-only newsletter<\/li>\n<li>Give 1% for art supplies in K-12 classrooms<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top member-options is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-fe9cc265 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Join us today!<\/h3>\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-horizontal is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-crow-color has-verdigris-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/colossal.memberful.com\/checkout?plan=113464\">$7\/month<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-crow-color has-verdigris-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/colossal.memberful.com\/checkout?plan=113463\">$75\/year<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-crow-color has-chalk-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/members\/\">Explore membership options<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"20\" height=\"21\" class=\"wp-image-327872\" style=\"width: 20px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/arrow-left.svg\" alt><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/aside>\n<nav class=\"navigation post-navigation\" role=\"navigation\">\n<div class=\"nav-links\">\n<div class=\"nav-previous\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/2026\/03\/lettres-decoratives-book-french-sign-painting\/\" rel=\"prev\">Next article<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/nav><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Installation view, \u2018A\u0301lvaro Urbano: PRELUDE\u2019 (2025), Marian Goodman Gallery, New York. Photo by Elisabeth, courtesy of the artist and Marian Goodman Gallery. All images shared with permission \u00c1lvaro Urbano Suspends Fleeting Moments of Decay in Metal Plants March 7, 2026 ArtNature Grace Ebert Share Email Bookmark Anyone who\u2019s decried the seasonal blip we call autumn [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[226,270],"class_list":["post-1813246","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-crawlmanager","tag-thisiscolossal-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1813246","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1813246"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1813246\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1813246"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1813246"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1813246"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}