The Czech Republic inspires artists from all over the world. Photo credit: ExpaArt.
Brno, Dec 3 (BD) – “There are foreigners who go far beyond just integrating,” explains António Pedro Nobre, a Portuguese travel writer and documentary filmmaker who has called Moravia home since 2004. “I have met several creative migrants whose artistic work has been inspired by Czech culture and lifestyle.” In a time when words like “migration” or “multiculturalism” are the subject of much discussion, and not always for the right reasons, there are still foreign residents who dare to challenge stereotypes by using art to express their ideas and feelings, drawing from their experience of living here. To present this work, Nobre co-founded ExpArt, an art festival that aims to promote foreign artists living in the Czech Republic to the local people of Brno; the first edition took place in Klub Fléda in October 2016, and the second will be held in May 2019 in Schrott Gallery.
“I am continuing to work with the ExpArt initiative, since I am passionate about seeing and promoting new art. A mutual enrichment takes place when artists meet new artists, and those new relationships and networks can therefore lead to new projects. That is very exciting,” says Carlos Lopez, a Peruvian photographer based in Brno for the last decade, who has assumed production duties for both editions of this event. “Also, I feel that with ExpArt I can give something back to the people of my new home country as well as to the foreign community”.
On the decision to use a different space and approach from the previous edition, Nobre says that: “The first event went quite well, we had some support from sponsors and partners and were able to hold it in probably the most prestigious club in Brno, but although adequate for performing artists, it wasn’t ideal for those exhibiting their work. So, we decided that for the second edition, we will do it at a proper gallery. Schrott is the perfect place since it has both a gallery and a pub with a proper stage, where performing artists can also participate on selected days.”
Artists and performers interested in participating are now invited to submit their work, before 31st March. To enhance the integrationist character of this event, the promoters settled on the theme: CREATING ROOTS. “I want to see striking and original work,” adds Lopez. “As artists, we are always inspired and motivated by our surroundings and experiences. Living in the Czech Republic allows us to experience and get to know its culture, whilst simultaneously getting in touch with, and discovering, others on a personal level, which would not be possible if we were not here. These factors are enough, I think, to move us in new artistic directions, break our limits and allow us to experiment. I would like to see that represented in the artworks submitted.”
For more information, see the website www.expart.cz.
Based on a press release.
Get the news first! Sign up for free to our daily newsletter here. Top stories of the day in your mailbox every morning.
