THOSE BORN TO BE FLOWERPOTS

This photographic exhibition immerses us in a deep analysis of human relationships and the mandates that shape our existence and interpretation of reality. Inspired by Eric Berne’s transactional analysis, this series invites an introspective reflection on the psychological complexity of parental expectations, revealing how these influences can limit personal development.

The very title of the collection, a direct reference to the well-known saying “Those born to be flowerpots never make it past the hallway”, sets the tone for this exploration and presents a fundamental contradiction with Berne’s concept of the “life script.” While destiny is often perceived as something unchangeable and inevitable, Berne suggests that our paths are determined by mandates—those internalized prohibitions or decrees received in childhood from those who supposedly guide our actions and decisions. These mandates, passed down from parents to children, act as invisible forces that can restrict personal growth and limit individual potential.

Thus, the symbolism of the flowerpot becomes a powerful thread throughout the series. On one hand, it represents an environment conducive to growth, reflecting the idea of personal development. However, it also implies limitation and restriction, encapsulating the struggle between individual freedom and the expectations imposed by family and established social norms.

The use of dolls—whether toys or porcelain figures—as protagonists within the flowerpots, in addition to being a nod to Eric Berne’s work Games People Play, also evokes the representation of identity and conformity to established standards. Just as the characters are physically trapped in the flowerpots, they are also confined within the roles and behaviors they are expected to adopt based on imposed mandates.

Each image offers a window into different aspects of the mandates in transactional analysis. From overprotection to the need for approval, from the urge to please to the fear of failure, each character embodies a facet of the restrictions we face in our lives. Whether it is the pressure to meet certain expectations, the inability to escape predefined roles, or the weight of social norms, these pieces capture the complexity of the human condition and the constant conflict between freedom and conformity.

Those Born To Be Flowerpots is a profound meditation on the nature of identity and the influence of mandates in our lives. Through evocative imagery and powerful symbolism, we are invited to reflect on our own experiences and challenge the restrictions that prevent us from reaching our full potential.