The Habit of Swerving by artist Pedro Torres

From April 24th to 27th, Montoya presents ‘The Habit of Swerving’, a large-scale installation by artist Pedro Torres. Inauguration: 24 de April, 18:00h. Schedule: 25–27 de April, de 11:00 a 20:00h

The Habit of Swerving is an installation developed in direct response to the industrial space of Montoya Studios. Drawn to the site as a vast container of air, artist Pedro Torres proposes an installation as an experience in constant motion, with shifting light, atmosphere, sound, and visuals.

One of the artist’s main interests is to explore time from multiple perspectives. In this case, he approaches it through space and air, as both a medium and an invisible place through which time flows and connects everything. Air is made up of atoms and molecules that link us to a distant past from the present moment. The oxygen we inhale enters and circulates through the bloodstream, and about half of it remains in our lungs. The line between the air and ourselves begins to blur. When we exhale, our breath merges with the air and is absorbed by other beings.

Furthermore, the atoms in the air persist over time. According to Roman Krznaric, based on a scientific study, there are 3 x 10¹⁹ argon atoms in a single breath of air. These quintillions of atoms are continuously released into the atmosphere and circulate around the planet—so wherever we are, we are inhaling around 15 argon atoms that we breathed in a year ago. Just as we breathe in atoms from the past, those we exhale will be breathed in by our descendants for up to seven generations. Air unites past, present, and future in a single, fluid entity.

The project is grounded in an understanding of our existence as part of an interdependent environment—a way of being in the world where entanglement and becoming intertwined are fundamental to reality itself.

The title The Habit of Swerving refers to the unpredictable movement of atoms, as explained by Lucretius in his defense of Epicurus’ atomist doctrine. In De rerum natura, Lucretius describes this swerve as happening at any place or time:

“When atoms move straight down through the void by their own weight, they deflect a bit in space at a quite uncertain time and in uncertain places, just enough that you could say that their motion has changed. But if they were not in the habit of swerving, they would all fall straight down through the depths of the void, like drops of rain, and no collision would occur, nor would any blow be produced among the atoms. In that case, nature would never have produced anything.”

The artist

Pedro Torres (Brazil, 1982) lives and works in Barcelona. His artistic practice revolves around the notion of time, leading him to explore fundamental aspects of our reality. Using a variety of media and techniques, Torres creates visually compelling and conceptually rich projects. His work investigates how time is represented and perceived, while also delving into the potential of image, language, and materiality. Often starting from scientific facts, his long-term research projects blend theory and poetry intuitively, engaging viewers on an emotional and intellectual level.

Recent solo exhibitions include shows at Zielinsky Gallery (Barcelona), Espacio Gaviota (Madrid), Fundación MAPFRE Canarias, Llum Barcelona, Twin Gallery (Madrid), and Blueproject Foundation (Barcelona). He has also participated in group exhibitions and major biennials at institutions such as MACBA, La Casa Encendida, the Venice Biennale, and BienalSUR, among others. He has received awards including the Ankaria Artist Book Prize and grants from the Botín Foundation, the Spanish Royal Academy in Rome, and the “la Caixa” Foundation. His work has been part of residencies in Italy, France, Iceland, South Korea, and Germany, and is held in collections such as MACBA, the Botín Foundation, and various private collections.
pedrotorres.net

Montoya Studios

Montoya Studios is a project by Montoya, aimed at supporting and promoting national and international artists and creative talents. Located in a 340 m² industrial space in Poblenou, Montoya Studios hosts a dynamic program of exhibitions, workshops, talks, and presentations focused on art, design, and industrial production.

The installation is supported by INFiLED, a global company specializing in high-quality LED screen design and manufacturing; Kvadrat, a leading Danish textile solutions company for architecture and design; and Código Sound, a Barcelona-based studio specialized in sound and lighting system installations.

Montoya Studios
C/ Taulat 25
April 24–27, 2025
Opening: April 24 at 6:00 PM
Opening hours: April 25–27, from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM
📧 mail@pasajemontoya.com
📞 +34 938 325 340