argentine artwork, workshops

57 Pages·2015·5.02 MB·English

JOURNEYS FROM THE SOUTH
ARGENTINE ARTWORK, WORKSHOPS AND PERFORMANCES
AT THE VICTORIA AND ALBERT MUSEUM’S FRIDAY LATE

“From indigenous materials to ancestral technologies, July’s Friday Late looks
to the tradition of craftsmanship in Argentina and its continuing influence
on the country’s contemporary art and design. Pay homage to the Argen-
tinean landscape with a tapestry installation inspired by the grassland and
hear about how current fashion designers are using traditional Munachi cult
dolls to bring hand-weaving skills back to life. Join us for a true fiesta as we
celebrate Argentina’s cultural roots through design, art and music”.
V&A PRESENTS FRIDAY LATE JOURNEYS FROM
THE SOUTH - FRIDAY 31 JULY
PROGRAM COVER DESIGN
Souvenir Program wrap created by
Argentinian-based illustrator Christian
Montenegro.
www.christianmontenegro.com.ar
On 31 July 2015, Argentine art and design took centre stage on London’s cultural scene with an
exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A), the world’s most important design, fashion
and visual arts museum.
This Victorian building located in South Kensington has 45,000 square meters of exhibition space
and 145 rooms and galleries that store a total of 2.7 million objects: ceramics, furniture, fashion,
glass, jewellery, photography, sculpture, textiles and paintings.

The exhibition – the first one entirely devoted to a Latin American country at a Friday Late – was
organised by the Embassy of Argentina in London together with the V&A. These thematic events,
held on the last Friday in every month, when the V&A stays open until 10 pm, are attended by
thousands of people who participate in performances that explore the chosen subject.

To this end we called on 12 Argentine artists representing our different regions and forms of artistic
expressions. Their projects went through a rigorous process of selection and coordination with the
museum curators.
The exhibition, called Journeys from the South, invited the public to explore Argentina’s varied land-
scapes and traditional art techniques through a number of cultural references, sounds, rituals and
local tapestry.
With a broad range of artwork, workshops and performances spread out across the rooms of the
museum, our artists exhibited to a vast audience that packed the main hall, galleries and gardens.
V&A officials confirmed that a total of 6,843 people attended, the highest number of participants
on a Friday Late since they were launched in 1999.
“Culture is a tool that allows to positively change perceptions on a country. Argentina, that has lead
avant-garde expressions in visual arts, literature and design, has gained its right to exhibit at the
V&A, one of the most important design museums in the world. We are very proud to promote
Argentine art and cultural industries in the UK”, Ambassador Alicia Castro stated, in the company
of the artists who came to London especially for this event.

ARTISTS AND EXHIBITIONS
EKEKO ALTAR BY CHIACHIO & GIANNONE
(Grand Entrance)
In the magnificent main hall of the museum, Chiachio and Giannone
installed an Ekeko altar that, as a symbol of welcome and blessing,
received the visitors. The artists recreated a typical ritual of the Argentine
Northwest in the heart of the V&A, throwing confetti or “cosmic dust”
several times throughout the evening. In this kitsch reinterpretation of a
tradition that calls for prosperity and good fortune, the artists portrayed
themselves as iconic figures placed upon the altar. The audience enthu-
siastically participated in the ritual, as done traditionally by the Altiplano
peoples, bringing various offerings that included cigars, confetti and other
elements.