C106
review
Belfast: Veneer/Folheado
at Catalyst
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Paulo
Mendes: untitled, 2003, installation shot;
courtesy Catalyst Arts
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It's a game
of two halves and so to the return leg of Veneer/Folheado
organised by Catalyst Arts, Dosensos and Zé dos
Bois, Lisbon. Folheado being a cultural exchange
from Lisbon to Belfast (Belfast to Lisbon happened in
October 2003). Some in Belfast pronounce the project 'Folio
head' and others say 'folheado' means sausage roll in
Portuguese, but some things get lost in translation. The
project was multidisciplinary, featuring public art, music
performances, film and publications. I shall, however,
concentrate on the exhibition. Catalyst have been doing
exchanges such as this for years. They've often been unsuccessful
in my eyes; perhaps because they're a bit piecemeal. Folheado
succeeds because of the breadth of media and formats used,
allowing for something more comprehensive in its presentation
of another country's cultural activity.
Catalyst
have moved home three times in the last year, disrupting
their program and lowering morale. Their new space (opened
for this show) should prove a suitable venue for future
events.
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João
Gusmao and Pedro Paiva: untitled, 2003; courtesy
Catalyst Arts
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Ten Portuguese artists took part
in this exhibition, with a range of painting, installation
and video pieces on show. Two of the artists, Nuņo da
Silva and Paulo Mendes, decided to take on 'Troubles'
Belfast and this is never a good idea if you're only visiting
for a week. João Maria Gusmao and Pedro Paiva's
piece consisted of a display case with a large floating
rock which strobed on and off (it upset me), Ines Botelho
had a room with warped floor which upset all who entered,
Alexandre Estrels had a dreamy ambient video, Jorge Santos
had a dreamy ambient video and Ruy Ortega appropriated
a cult film (as artists in every country must do, I suspect).
Rigo had a patterned mural which said 'not for sale' on
the wall of a gable house (a proposal that upset all the
landlords of Belfast; good).
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Nuno
da Silva: Divided land, installation shot;
courtesy Catalyst Arts
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Two days
after the exhibition a football match was played. Northern
Irish artists are as fit and skilful as their Portuguese
counterparts, drawing 6-6.
You can't
do better than a draw away from home, as the sports commentator
would say.
Stephen
Hackett is is a co-director of Factotum.
Veneer/Foheado,
Catalyst Arts, October/November 2003
