A Casa era a Rua

Carlos Carvalho, a gallerist and poet, began his journey in the art world in 1988 when he opened Galeria Ara. In 2005, he moved the gallery to a new location designed by architects Aires Mateus on Rua Joly Braga Santos in Lisbon. This move marked a significant chapter in the gallery's history, and it is at this location that the celebration of 35 years of continuous activity by Carlos Carvalho takes place. The exhibition is curated by Alexandre Melo, a curator and critic, and it features a diverse selection of artists.

According to Alexandre Melo, a gallery serves as a house with an open door to the street, where invited artists temporarily make it their home during exhibitions. This concept transforms the gallery into a dynamic space that welcomes anyone interested in art, offering them a glimpse into the world of the artists showcased there. The goal is to create an atmosphere reminiscent of an artist's house, allowing visitors to carry the memory of their experience with them.

The selection of artworks for the exhibition takes into account the architectural aspects of the gallery space. Many of the featured works establish relationships between different spaces, such as individual and collective, interior and exterior, public and private, and local and global. This exploration of spatial relationships adds depth and dimension to the exhibition.

In the words of Alexandre Melo, the exhibition reflects the current dialogue between art and its surroundings in the world. The external environment, including the streets and the broader cultural context, has a significant influence on the art world's developments and trends. This interconnectedness is symbolized by the exhibition's title, drawn from a poem by Carlos Frias de Carvalho, who, in addition to being a gallerist, is also a recognized poet. The title, "the house was the street that led to the square where the party took place"*, encapsulates the idea that art and life are intertwined, with the gallery serving as a bridge between the two realms.

Overall, this exhibition represents a celebration of Carlos Carvalho's 35 years of dedication to the art world, showcasing the work of both gallery-represented artists and invited participants. It emphasizes the symbiotic relationship between art, architecture, and the broader cultural context, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in the world of artists and their creative expressions.

*in “festa da casa”, dedicated to José Bechara, from the book “combustão”, Glaciar, 2022.