Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Seguí






















Jardín Tropical


Antonio Seguí says he got interested in painting when he was 8 years old. He lived in Villa Allende, Córdoba, Argentina, in a rural area in the mountains. It was the 40's and there wasn't much going on in his town.
He grew up with his parents, sister, twin brothers and grandmother who was the one that urged him to pursue a career in art.
When he turned 18, his grandmother became his sponsor. With the money he got from her, he traveled to Paris to study but he wasn't a steady student in any academy, he only took courses on the topics of his interest and visited a lot of museums to learn.

When his grandmother, Ana, passed away, he quickly became an adult and decided that he was going to be an artist and he was going to live from his art work. He started traveling through Latin America and producing art and participating in exhibitions. He had a talent for connecting with other people, artists of all sorts and intellectuals. He set up his own workshop in the 60's in Paris and became famous by age 30.

What is most representative of Segui's work, a hallmark of his creations that helps us identify him, is a little country man with a black hat on his head that he often draws. He says he paints that little man all the time because it reminds him of his childhood in Cordoba. He uses the little man's figure in different ways, because, of course, he has evolved with him, so you see him in varied subject matters.

Women didn't use to be out in the streets so much back in those times, they were expected to be at home, with the family, that’s why he rarely paints them. He paints little men, preoccupied, minding their own business, staying in their own way, showing little concern for others. Antonio Seguí has never seen his grandfathers nor his father without a hat.

Seguí is 77 years old now, and works every day, from 7 am, even the weekends. What drives him to do that? 7 am is the time his little men in a hat wake up and come out for a walk on the streets of fragmented chaos and alienation, the same chaos he felt as a child, the same feeling he wonders about today. Those little men, he says, will help him paint his perfect picture. He feels that this has not yet happened for him, which is his reason to work and to hope everyday.

Check out his work at Mamba.

xx

Learn more about Seguí: Una charla con I. Schuliaquer. Ed. Capital Intelectual.

Post by: Valeria Mendez Cañas

Monday, August 1, 2011

Gustavo

















Gustavo Santaolalla


"No city is like Buenos Aires" is the expression Gustavo Santaolalla uses to refer to our hometown.

I didn't know much about Gustavo Santaolalla until he won his first Oscar for "Original Soundtrack" for the film Brokeback Mountain. It was then that I became more curious and started to look into his work. We are from different generations and although Santaolalla has repeatedly said that he has two loves - Rock 'n' Roll and Latin Culture, his music was at first very influenced by Argentine "folk". Perhaps that explains why I was never going to listen to it... because as a teenager, I found it was "uncool".

His electrotango band "Bajo Fondo" however, got me interested in the way he had integrated his "loves" into his music introducing technology to make tango sound different, to bring it closer to other generations. I thought his was a unique idea.

Today, I read that he was from a neighborhood called "Ciudad Jardín". A very small and humble town in the Western section of the greater Buenos Aires area. And, though I still don't know that much about him, this article made me think about his dreams. There is a long way between Ciudad Jardin and Hollywood, California, to name a place he made it to. I can assure you this cause I know how far Ciudad Jardín is, even from Buenos Aires city.

He mentioned in this article that the streets in his hometown were made out of dirt and that services were very limited. He remembers coming to the city was a great, long, and exciting trip and that a common expression in his neighborhood was "I am going to the capital", meaning the city of Buenos Aires. The distance he had to travel and the means of transportation he used to get to town were, at that time, far from convenient and it was a long trip indeed, but he remembers that every time that he arrived he thought: "this is everything they say about a great city, so many avenues! so many different people!"

I see his trip to the city as a metaphor for his later achievements. The trip was probably a little complicated and long, yes, but, in his head he knew the way and in his heart he had passion. He knew, also, how to let himself be surprised and how to surprise others with the ingenuity (the same ingenuity with which he discovered the city) that of the child that lives inside of him.

For your music and talent, thank you Mr. Santaolalla!

Photo:7dias
Post by: Valeria Mendez Cañas

Friday, July 29, 2011

Happy Firday!

Tonight at 7:00pm there is a new edition of Gallery Nights, this time, in the neighborhoods of Barrio Norte, Retiro and Recoleta. Art galleries, antique shops, museums, vintage boutiques and cultural centers open their doors to share art and design with visitors. It's a fun event and there's always live music and shows. Also, you can make a stop at any of these bars (all within tonight's circuit) to have a cocktail and see more art. TGIF!

Don't miss Cosecha Prendas Vintage. A creative space with focus on the revaluation of handicrafts. The result is soft, romantic pieces with retro inspiration, a combination of antique details with new materials.

Photos: Cosecha Prendas Vintage





























































































Don't you love these girly dresses?

Gallery Nights organized by Arte al Dia was born in 2001 with the objective of bringing art close to the public. The event takes place in different areas of Buenos Aires from April to December and in Punta del Este, Uruguay during January.


You can see details on today's Circuit here.

Thursday, July 28, 2011

it's love

















What happens when things don't go the way we expect them to in a relationship? What happens when your partner becomes someone you don't like so much? Are you willing to retrace your steps? Is he or she? Are you willing to recognize your own doings or are you the one to blame it all on your partner?

Miguel Espeche is an Argentinian Psychologist whose work we have set our eyes on. He has coordinated workshops in Buenos Aires for 22 years. These workshops are quite famous in the city. The topics are so varied (bonding, sexuality, family, aging, working), there is something for everyone.

Here is an extract of one of his cases we have translated:

"He didn't take everything away"

"His departure left loneliness and a lot of pain. He took everything when he left". She felt lonely, infinitely sad and most of all, deserted.

For her, he had been the mirror in which she had reflected and recognized herself for many years but her mirror was no longer there. She found herself caressing her kids at night, telling them words she wasn't sure of, looking at the world through a cold glass. All this because he wasn't there, because she remained at their home surrounded by their furniture and the objects that had been theirs for ages, objects that now seemed soulless, like her.

For good or for bad she had given him everything, even her own identity. She had chosen to be the verb instead of the subject, not because she was foolish, but because that was the way things unfolded. For her, it was a relief to have someone assume matters concerned with her own being and she went with it, she did what she thought was expected of her, she turned into an echo, instead of being the source of sound.

Time went by and she was surprised to feel alive again. She began to feel new emotions, these emotions were not his echo, they came from her own self, a source she started to like and value as others did. He, on the other side, felt that he had taken with him his own shadow, the one that was obstructing her personal feelings, her voice. She began to have her own dreams and desires and realized that he didn't have much to do with that anymore. She started feeling better, happier. She concluded he hadn't taken everything, he had only taken a part of her history.

Today they are flirting again, although they are still separated (this is a real story that is taking place). I don't know how this story will end but it is interesting to see how it is developing. He has already said that he felt saturated by what first attracted him to her "being everything for her", the undeniable center of her attention. She had also liked delegating her own being in that man. He had "broken the rules" of the game saying he felt lonely and in need of the company of someone else's voice, not just an echo of his own".

We think that if things get out of balance, it is up to each person in the couple to rediscover love without turning the other person into (or becoming) the subordinate, which as the extract shows, can ruin a relationship.

There are no villains in relationships. If there is love, difficulties can be overcome by trying to understand what each person's contribution to its wrong doing is. By working together finding healthier ways of relating to one another the relationship will obviously bring a lot of satisfaction and happiness.

Migue Espeche once said: "Healthy people suffer from love, that doesn't just happen to fools or ill people. The people that have the courage to assume the risks love requires are however, probably the healthiest."




Translation by Valeria Mendez Cañas extract from the July issue of Sophia Magazine

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

that little dress














Photo: William Kano

Starting today, you can go see "Denominador Común" a photography exhibition curated by Eva Grinstein, which has María Lizaso's designs as a common denominator.

María is a Buenos Aires based architect turned fashion designer with a passion for art and photography.

Inspired by Marías work, fifteen photographers got together to present their particular views on her designs through an image.

The highlight, I think, is one of María's dresses hanging on a wooden structure in a separate space from the main exhibit room.


Where? Braga Menéndez Arte Contemporáneo
Humboldt 1475, Palermo.


























Dress by María Lizaso.
Photo by Mich

Denominador Común Photographers:
Ale Bascuas, William Kano, Sol Abadi, Nora Lezano, Gisela Filc, Juan Vaz, Basilio Silva, Tom & Cherry, Rodolfo Schmidt + Jazmín Calcarami, Edgardo Delfino, Pablo Franco, Natasha Ygel y Gustavo Di Mario.

Monday, July 25, 2011

ants at work
















Since it's Monday, we thought it would be fun to remind ourselves (and share with you) some easy tips on how to work better. Most of these are quite obvious, but a nice reminder on how to be more productive while learning and having a good time.

How to work better

1. Do one thing at a time
2. Know the problem
3. Learn to listen
4. Learn to ask questions
5. Distinguish sense from nonsense *
6. Accept changes as inevitable
7. Admit mistakes
8. Say it simple
9. Be calm
10.Smile

*Good point. Let's stop here for a second. It's great to be connected (facebook, linked-in, twitter, bbm, asw, blogs, now Google +) although it's a bit nutty sometimes, no? this constant connection? some questions that rise are: how do you deal with the overload of information? how does it affect your work? how do you filter information? we'd love to know your thoughts on this and on what makes you work better, if you work.

Have a nice week!

xx

photo: peque

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Palermo Exhibition

Don't miss James Joyce by Ana Lía Werthein at Dain Usina Cultural, you'll like it!




















I found out about this exhibition thanks to the kindness of one of our readers (we love our readers!) who sent us an email telling us that we should check it out. So I did!

The exhibition curated by Rodrigo Alonso, includes several of Ana Lía's works inspired by Joyce. Just as Joyce used all the literary resources available to him in his work, Ana Lía uses a rich repertoire of techniques including drawing, graphics, paint, manuscripts and watercolor painting in her exploration of Joyce, sharing with us her sensitive encounter with his universe via paintings, objects, sculptures, photography and mixed techniques.
























The artist who lives and works in Buenos Aires is also a psychoanalist.



From Tues. to Sun. from 10 - 21 hrs. Thames and Nicaragua St., Palermo.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

winter













As winter has finally arrived in Buenos Aires, we figure it’s nice to spend some time indoors. Cooking is the activity that comes to mind with this cold weather, or... shall we say... eating!

If you are interested in improving your culinary skills, Lucullus, the Gastronomic French Association in Buenos Aires, is hosting its Winter Cuisine Cycle. These cycles, this year, are three, being this the second one. Next one will take place during the spring. Here is the program for the rest of the week. Thought you might like to attend.

Wed. July 20, 8 p.m.
Olivier Falchi, Le Sud chef, in Hotel Sofitel (Arroyo 841, Recoleta)
“Soups and Veloutés ”

Thur. July 21, 8 p.m.
La Cave à Vin- French wineries in Argentina in Escuela Vatel (Paraguay 1583)
French wine and Champagne tasting

Fri. July 22, 8 p.m.
Jean-Paul Bondoux, La Bourgogne's chef and owner & Jérôme Mathe, Le Café des Arts chef (Figueroa Alcorta 3415, Palermo)
“14 Juillet, Specialties from our provinces”

Sat. July 23, 10 a.m.
Bruno Gillot, L’Épi Boulangerie's chef inEscuela de Pastelería (Corrientes 4367, Cap.Fed.)
Pastries: “Puff paste and apples”

Sat. July 23, 2 p.m.
Olivier Hanocq, L’Épi Boulangerie's chef in Escuela de Pastelería (Corrientes 4367, Cap.Fed.)
Pastries: “Chocolate bombons”

Sat July 23, 7 p.m.
Toufic Reda and Emiliano Di Nisi, Tô Buenos Aires' executive chefs (Costa Rica 6000, Palermo)
“Garnishes and chutneys in Frapanese Cuisine”

For more information: http://www.lucullus.com.ar


Ahhhh! It's friend's day in Argentina today, what are your plans? restaurants will be bursting at the seams with people celebrating. Keep that in mind when planning your night out and... happy friend's day!

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

la rural

















Exhibition of Cattle Breeding, Agriculture, and International Industry.

Since our idea is to "share Argentinian style with the world" how could we possibly leave out cows?

A typical Argentinian attraction during winter vacation: La Rural.
The countryside meets the city in this traditional event. You'll see gauchos,
cows, sheep, horses. There's also food stands, and shows.

La Rural Exhibition Center. Av. Sarmiento 2704
Til July 26, 2011.

Post and Photo: Valeria Mendez Cañas

Enjoy! xx

Proust



















cuestionario Proust a Doisneau

air, earth, water































































































































Random photos from Curiocity Villas - collection of beautiful vacation rentals in Punta del Este, Uruguay.  You deserve.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

about a horse


















I'm sure many of you have seen Secretariat? it's a film about an incredible, American race horse who won the Triple Crown and his owner, Penny Chenery Tweedy.

Aside from the fact that the film is entertaining, and that I absolutely adore that horse, there are other things that it made me think about:

Dynamics, chemistry, connection, synergy are some words that come to my mind. Sure, the horse had the genes, but it was the combination of that and the love of Penny that made him be the most he could be and her as well. It's so magical when that profound connection takes place between people (ok, in the film it's a horse) but you know what I mean. In Spanish there is a word - "cómplice" it's about the other person being with you, it's about collaboration. The English translation is "accomplice".

Preparation. Some people wonder why some things do not turn out the way they want. Well, a few questions that may help in understanding why are: are we prepared? have we done all that we can to learn as much as we can on a certain matter? have we practiced as much as possible and surrounded ourselves with people who know about our specific field/s of interest, in order to learn from them?

Believe in yourself and trust your instincts. Seems obvious, BUT do we always trust ourselves? Throughout the film we see Penny (the owner of the horse) face difficult situations with no support from family or friends cause they do not believe that she can do what she wants to do. Do what you want to do. You can listen to others, but do what makes you feel good. Often, it is those close to us that tell us that what we want is not possible to achieve. Be true to yourself and to your passions. There is a quote from Penny which I loved: "This is not about going back. This is about life being ahead of you and you run at it! Because you never know how far you can run unless you run".

Someone once said to me "if you do really well, people will not like you. If you do really, really well, people will be inspired by you". Secretariat is a story of love and extraordinary courage. That's inspiring. The horse and the owner both did really, really well. Against all odds.

A good team is crucial. Penny managed to put together a team of great people - the horse trainer, her father's secretary, jockey, stable hand, to name a few of the people that worked with her. They not only loved the horse, believed in him and her, but also worked relentlessly towards the same goal, giving Secretariat all the stamina to win the triple crown.

I hope you saw the film so that you can share with us the things that you loved or did not like about it.

xx

past, present, future




















When you're an outsider, some things stand out to you. In my last visit to the United States, I was strikingly surprised to find a sign that read "Available Space" at several locations that were previously occupied by Borders and Barnes and Noble. I was also surprised to find very few bookstores remained in San Francisco and the ones that did, advertised in their website "one of the few bookstores remaining in the city".

I was happy to come back to my house and to our big library. I find it a bit hard to adapt to the idea that in the near future I'll probably be switching to e-books although I do intend to keep all the books in our library as memories from the past. Except for those books I free, of course.

Our library has received some additions in the last year. My beloved father-in-law passed away leaving a huge book collection. I was very sad when he died and had not touched his books until today. His books are older than ours. I came across a book called "La vida cotidiana en Buenos Aires" (Every Day Life in Buenos Aires), by Andres Carretero (Planeta), that discusses the development of Argentine society from 1918 to 1970. Reading the pages of Carretero's book, a few memories came to mind, all related with the place communications have in our daily lives.

I remember my grandparents loved to hear the radio, their favorite transmissions were tango orchestras and soccer, yes, two genuine Argentine passions. I also remember them listening to the radio while drinking mate.

I grew up hearing tango but, can you imagine growing up listening to the voice of a journalist describing soccer moves? Can you imagine celebrating a goal you hadn't even seen? Yes, taxi drivers and porters still listen to soccer on the radio and celebrate goals they only hear about. But back then, it took place everywhere in Buenos Aires. In every home, before TV became popular. You can't imagine the enthusiasm around soccer.

The first TV channel appeared in 1951 (first radio station, in 1935), but TV really became available during the seventies and turned to colors in 1980. There were 5 channels. The signal would come on at 12 pm and go off around 10pm to 12am. When one of my grandparents heard there was such a thing as color TV, he decided to convert his TV to color by putting a piece of colored paper on top of the screen and carefully taping the sides, isn't that funny?

TV was not accessible to everyone in Argentina so some of the people that did not have one would go to their neighbors’ house to watch a given show or soccer match.

Carretero's book says: "If the radio introduced the public word in the intimacy of houses, TV boosted communication by incorporating image. That way, dramas, tango shows, news and even the weather forecast acquired a different and fascinating perspective".

Margarita de la Sota says in an article in Lyra Magazine from 1961 called: "A Memorable Cycle of Argentine TV": "A friend of ours, that is a writer, used to say that the only purpose TV served was to shut your wife up. Inside the magical atmosphere of the TV screen, at last, the equilibrium of marriage was established... the hypnotic virtue of television provided other pleasures less intimate and more productive".

These days, computers, tablets and phones are the radios of Argentina's 1930's and fiber-optics the antennas but they are also the books (have you ever heard of phone novels?) , the TV's, the movies, the games for kids, the music. And, as books become antiquities soon to belong in a Museum along with walkmans, vinyl records, wrist watches, and TV's, I cannot help but wonder what other surprises will the future have in store for us and how we will contribute to shape it.


Post by: Vale Mendez Cañas
Photo: Curiocity Villas

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

words on love



















I've been away on a little trip and I've had time to think and time to listen. I've come across some interesting people and read some great articles on love and relationships that I want to share with you.

Freud said that when we fall in love, we fall for a reflection of ourselves. We love, in the other person, those aspects that are very similar to ours. Love, for Freud, is illusory and based on narcissism. Of course that kind of love only lasts for a while but, how do we continue to love our partner once we are past that stage? Love, as we know, has to evolve, to mature. Jacques Lacan said that love is giving our partner what we don't have. Which means: to love is to recognize your lack and give it to the other, place it in the other. It’s not giving what you possess, goods and presents, it’s giving something else that you don’t possess, which goes beyond you. Our own flaws are involved and that is how we love, with our flaws. He also stated that we love someone who really isn't who we think he is, reminding us to be aware that a lot of narcissism goes into love.

Nick Paumgaiten wrote in "Looking for Someone" in The New Yorker Magazine, an article referred to contemporary love and the ways people use the internet in search of a companion. He comments on the work of Gian Gónzaga who runs a site called eHarmony. It seems that this site, which is used to pair people up, was born after many years of interviewing couples. By watching the way they interact, they can predict wether the relationship is going to work out or not. They look for specific traits: How do you treat your partner? How are your comments? Are they positive? Are they negative? Are they assuring? Do you underestimate your partner? Do you use humor in order to bring up issues that trouble you? Can you use humor in a positive way? Can you create constructive solutions to your issues? Do you have problems solving skills? Who has them? One? or both?
They say that sometimes, you mate with someone you think is right for you but in reality he or she is not. All goes well until some kind of incompatibility arises: "Incompatibility can often be unperceivable until a couple is subjected to some kind of difficulty of the world's devising: problems involving health, money, children or work". They blame stress for it, of course, but I see it with a different light: situations start becoming more real, narcissism fades away with time. What now? I think it is at this point where a lot of couples split up. They trick themselves into thinking they will be better off alone or with someone that will provide another narcissistic high for them.

Dan Savage, expresses his view in July 3rd, New York Times Sunday Magazine article "Infidelity Keeps us Together". He argues that in his relationship what has kept him bound to his partner was his and her honesty and allowing each other to have sex encounters with other people from time to time.

Dan Savage writes a column for Seattle's The Stranger, called "Savage Love", very contemporary indeed but my thinking is more along the line of Lisa Appignanesi's, author of "All about Love". In an interview in this month's issue of Elle Magazine by Ben Dickinson, she says: "Marriage is interesting now because we want so much out of it, and it's strains are therefore telling, so we develop huge resources of invention and patience and durability to make it work ... You don't want to just say 'Nothing is good if it doesn't have a positive ending or it's only good if it's easy and smooth and always happy'".

In this space, we are always looking out for people that we consider that stand out in their personal fulfillment, we have mainly written about artists. We think that we, as human beings, are the only ones in command of the relationships we seek, we build, we nourish, we surround ourselves with. Once we find the right match, it is up to us to drive the relationship to its best state and because the skills it requires, anyone that believes to be constantly contributing in that sense, we consider an achiever (no need to be famous, just proud). Cheers to you then.



Post: Vale Mendez Cañas
Photo: Mich

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Cosmópolis






















Photo: Horacio Coppola

You've probably heard of Borges

Perhaps you've read some of his works and liked what you read. Maybe you've been to Buenos Aires before, and while you were here, you were curious to learn more about the author. Maybe you sat at the cafés he frequented (Tortoni, La Biela, etc), visited the National Library he once directed, went to Plaza San Martin where he took long walks or walked through Palermo, the neighborhood where he grew up. Maybe you did all of this without even knowing about Borges and how this all relates to him. To my surprise, I've had two or three clients very interested in Borges, his work and his life in Buenos Aires. It is thanks to one of these clients (a couple actually) that a few years ago, I had the pleasure of following the author's "footsteps" - this time consciously * and in the company of someone from AD who actually knows a respectable bit about the author and his life, unlike me.

This year, in the frame of Buenos Aires as Book Capital of the World, there have been many interesting events which I've been sharing with you. Today, it's about a new exhibition organized by the Ministry of Culture of the city of Buenos Aires.

“Cosmópolis, Borges y Buenos Aires” is an audiovisual exhibition, that explores the connection between the Argentinian writer and the city of Buenos Aires.

Created by Juan Insúa, “Cosmópolis" is an adaptation of the same exhibition that was presented at the Contemporary Cultural Center of Barcelona in 2002. This new version explores in a more profound manner this particular bond between Jorge Luis Borges and the city of Buenos Aires.

Through images and audiovisual material, “Cosmópolis, Borges y Buenos Aires” invites us to explore the evolution of Borges' literature with special attention to the way the author passes from a precise stage (Buenos Aires) to a universal city.

The exhibition is divided into seven sections that follow the work of the author in chronological order as well as a thematic manner:

-FUNDACIÓN MÍTICA (Mythic Foundation)
-FERVOR DE BUENOS AIRES (Passion of Buenos Aires)
-EL SUR METAFÍSICO (Metaphysic South)
-LA CIUDAD TRANSFIGURADA (Transfigured city)
-LA BIBLIOTECA INFINITA (Infinite library)
-EL HERESIARCA CANONIZADO
-COSMÓPOLIS


About 150 photos from photographers such as Horacio Coppola, Grete Stern, Humberto Rivas, Pepe Fernández y Facundo Zuviría help us situate ourselves in the city of Buenos Aires in different time periods, along with seven audiovisual pieces including “Fundación mítica de Buenos Aires” - corresponding to a poem that traces the poetic process of the foundation of Buenos Aires; “Fervor de Buenos Aires” which explores the Buenos Aires of the 1920's through moving images of that time period, allowing us to feel the city at the start of the century; and “El Tango” which elaborates a reflection on the origins and evolution of Tango, among others.


Where? Casa de la Cultura del Gobierno Porteño: Avenida de Mayo 575, Buenos Aires.
When? Tuesdays to Sundays from 14:00 to a 20:00hs. Til December 2011.


*meaning that this time I was doing it in order to understand a little more about Borges and not by coincidence.

Friday, July 1, 2011

Mirage

















A photography exhibition at Centro Cultural Recoleta really caught my eye today. It is Marino Santa Maria's, "Mirage: Permanence vs. Ephemeral".

Santa Maria plays with images and mirrors. His pictures employ mirrors to show you an image that is different than the one that should be reflected in the mirror. He is a good analyst of what we call reality. He plays with meaning and has a special ability to turn complex thoughts into something tangible and beautiful. I feel that throughout his work, he is saying "I know what you expect to see, but instead, I'll show you something else", what effect does that have on you? He distorts your perception and wakes up your curiosity.

I hope that you can see this exhibition. Take some time to view the pictures and take the title of the exhibition into consideration as well. Santa Maria's concepts of permanence and change are a nice metaphor for life. Mirrors can show you still images or movement. As in life, some things are always the same while others change very rapidly.

Some of the questions that rise are: How do we react to change? what is permanent and what is ephemeral? how do we react to things and events when they are different than we expect?



















Have a nice weekend! xx

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Current Exhibition

































When we were writing this post I remembered that I had a book I got at Zurbarán's Art Hotel, with all the great Argentinian Artists, so I looked for it, and there it was! Here are two images where you can see a little of Figari's work. Of course, one has to stand in front of the work of art, but sadly I don't own one of his paintings.


Pedro Figari's work is on exhibition at Zurbarán Art Gallery (Av. Alvear 1658, Buenos Aires) until June 30. That's tomorrow! His name is very representative of South American art.
He was a Uruguayan lawyer and legislator that reinvented himself and became an artist. He also loved writing, journalism and philosophy.
It took him a year to start making a living out of his art work. He was 60 years old. He moved to Buenos Aires to pursue his passion, chose the best art gallery of the time to show his work and also made himself well liked in Paris. In fact, his first painting was purchased by a Parisian man who was doing business here at the time.
It was the end of the 1920's. Argentina was a very rich and powerful country back then. The Argentinian elite liked to purchase art from Europe mainly but the works of Fernando Fader, Cesáreo Bernaldo de Quiros and Pedro Figari were also favorites.
Mr. Figari's work shows the tradition, simplicity and roots of Uruguay by depicting candombes (a black slaves' dance), images of old Montevideo, Ombu trees and peasants.
We are firm believers that a clear objective, a strong will and enjoying what you do will get you were you want to be and think that Mr. Figari is a good example of that.

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Kabinett






















































































Kabinett is a new, gorgeous little store in Palermo Soho . I saw a mix of retro and modern items, fringe jackets, vinyl records, artworks, funky chairs and books. The address is Gurruchaga 1744.

Monday, June 27, 2011

Gold Rush







































Argentinian model, Milagros Schmoll for ELLE Germany.
Photo by Jonas Bresnan


Ballet Gala



















Natalia Osipova, and David Hallberg perform in "Romeo and Juliet" at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York.


The First International Ballet Gala in Buenos Aires will take place on August 11 and 12, 2011, at the Teatro Coliseo. Some of the best ballet dancers from the most prestigious companies in the world - Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, Paris National Opera, New York City Ballet, the American Ballet Theatre, Bejart Ballet Loussane, Staatts Ballet Berlin, the National Contemporary Dance Company and Ballet of Argentina's Teatro Colon, will gather on stage.

The program will include four choreographic premieres in Argentina, two from the French genius Maurice Béjart and two from Ben van Cauwenbergh and Jose Martinez; two neo-classical choreographies by George Balanchine, and a selection of classics like "Le Corsaire", "Don Quixote" "Flames of Paris", "Sleeping Beauty" and "La Esmeralda", among others.

If you are familiar with Ballet, Natalia Osipova and Ivan Vasiliev, must ring a few bells. Also, Mathilde Froustey and Mathias Heymann - who at 22 years old won the title of "danseur etoile" (the highest title of the Ballet of the Opera National de Paris), will be part of this event. Other prominent figures that will delight us with their art on stage are: Daniil Simkin and Joseph Phillips of the American Ballet Theatre ; Ana Sophia Scheller, only Argentine member of the New York City Ballet, Yana Salenko, prima ballerina of Staatts Berlin Ballet; Pablo Fermani, member of the National Contemporary Dance Company of Argentina; Kateryna Shalkina and Oscar Chacon, Loussane Béjart Ballet soloists; as well as dancers from the Teatro Colón ballet, Natalia Pelayo and Federico Fernandez.


Enjoy!

Image by the American Ballet Theatre.