jorge mañes rubio's vibrant beaded basketballs reinterpret historical symbols and myths

Jorge Mañes Rubio bejewels basketballs in flashy motifs

In ‘New Prophets,’ artist Jorge Mañes Rubio explores the extensive circulation of ideas, works, and people that preceded our existence, emphasizing the interconnected nature of our diverse circumstances. The project originates from Rubio’s fascination with the Commentary of the Apocalypse, an 8th-century Spanish illuminated manuscript. Over a millennium later, this ancient text takes on new significance amid contemporary apocalyptic threats, environmental concerns, and climate injustice. Rubio repurposes specific stories, creatures, and symbols historically associated with negativity or evil, primarily found in Christian scriptures. Through intricately bejeweled micro-universes depicted on the basketballs‘ surfaces, he seeks to give these images new interpretations, recontextualizing their spiritual legacies in the context of modern culture.

PURPOSE POTENTIAL – New Prophets | all images courtesy of Jorge Mañes Rubio

New Prophets project fosters a fresh perspective on spirituality

By questioning outdated belief systems, motifs, and biased meanings, Rubio aims to spark new forms of magical thinking. He activates their spirituality through thoughtful consideration of form, color, and space. The intention is to transform these images from perceived threats into elements of an exciting narrative—a vision of generosity, hope, and abundance. This new strategy encourages the embrace of multispecies ecologies and challenges the traditional dualistic relationships between human and non-human entities, fostering a fresh perspective on spirituality and interconnectedness.

PURPOSE POTENTIAL – New Prophets, 2023. Basketball, plaster, gesso, glass beads. ⌀ 25cm

PURPOSE POTENTIAL – New Prophets, 2023. Basketball, plaster, gesso, glass beads. ⌀ 25cm

SACRED AGAIN – New Prophets, 2023. Basketball, plaster, gesso, glass beads. ⌀ 25cm

SACRED AGAIN – New Prophets, 2023. Basketball, plaster, gesso, glass beads. ⌀ 25cm

SACRED AGAIN – New Prophets, 2023. Basketball, plaster, gesso, glass beads. ⌀ 25cm

SACRED AGAIN – New Prophets, 2023. Basketball, plaster, gesso, glass beads. ⌀ 25cm

EVERYTHING SPIRITS – New Prophets, 2023. Basketball, plaster, gesso, glass beads. ⌀ 25cm

EVERYTHING SPIRITS – New Prophets, 2023. Basketball, plaster, gesso, glass beads. ⌀ 25cm

EVERYTHING SPIRITS – New Prophets, 2023. Basketball, plaster, gesso, glass beads. ⌀ 25cm

project info:

name: New Prophets
designer: Jorge Mañes Rubio | @jorgemanesrubio

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom