GALÁXIA XXI: The Future of Comics Is Now
Event - 25º Amadora International Comics Festival Client - Amadora BD Location - Amadora, Portugal Exhibition Space - 100 m² Opening - October 2014 In collaboration with Alessandro Brandolisio & Ana Couto Curators - Sara Figueiredo Costa & Luís Salvado Responsible for exhibition concept, graphic design, execution and set-up
This exhibition aimed to showcase the diversity and potential of contemporary comics.
How have comics evolved over the years in terms of reading experience, book and magazine printing, publishing, and distribution? Inspired by the exhibition title, the design concept envisioned a galaxy with individual systems, illustrating the vast and dynamic world of modern comics.
The "Galaxy" spanned four rooms and covered eight key themes. The main challenge was to create a cohesive spatial identity for the exhibition. To achieve this, all four rooms were painted in the same color and featured a uniform flooring material. At the same time, an installation of eight colored ropes—each representing a different theme—physically connected the entire exhibition space.
These ropes not only unified the design but also defined the eight thematic “galactic systems.” The first room served as their starting point, from which they extended through the remaining three rooms, naturally guiding visitors along the exhibition path. Each topic was introduced through a dedicated text, a uniquely colored rope, and matching display cases.
Within the rooms, the ropes served a dual function: they subtly divided the exhibition space into smaller thematic sections while also suspending showcases and cabinets.
By maintaining the ropes under tension, the entire exhibition was held together by an invisible force of “gravity.” This created a visually light and floating effect, enhancing the sense of weightlessness in which display cases and original artworks appeared to hover—reinforcing the cosmic theme of the exhibition.
