THEATER on THE ROOFTOP

THEATER on THE ROOFTOP

In addition to the running exposition at Fundacion Pintor Amalio, the Foundation hosts several events throughout the month like; concert performances, poetry readings and plays.

One such event, a play or Sainete, was held last Thursday on the Foundation´s rooftop, offering one of the best views of the Giralda bell tower on a typical Sevillan summer´s evening, it was hot! However, that did not stop the artists from keeping the audience captivated with their brazen performance. The play was a production of Cia Quinteriana entitled Ganas de Reñir and portrayed in comedy form, the courtship of a young man and woman. Can we say art with a view! There were two 30 minute performances that evening, to an audience of 16 guests including myself. A visit to Fundacion Pintor Amalio should definitely be on your to do list when visiting Sevilla, offering its audience Art in various forms while preserving the culture.

MARÍA JOSÉ and ME

MARÍA JOSÉ and ME

Although I’ve been in Spain just about three months now, I’m just not getting accustomed to the Andalucían’s accented-´speedy-gonzalez´ style of speech, so imagine how uncomfortable it would be to spend a day  with a person who did not speak  your language or vice versa. Well, this was my reality about two weekends ago when I had the pleasure of spending my Saturday morning at the museum with María José, daughter of the artist Amalio and President of ´Fundacion Pintor Amalio.´  The office manager Juan Diego was out of the city attending a wedding  and María Jose´s husband  Manuel (Museum Director) was out running errands. Fortunately for me, that day, María and I were the perfect duo.

You see, I consider María José my future self, in that, I see myself being at the helm of my father’s Legacy back at home in Trinidad and Tobago. It’s almost like life imitating life, and one of the reasons I felt so connected to this internship placement. Although we don’t know each other, I know she can identify with being the daughter of a prolific artist, and some of the weight it may carry. Although she grew up in a different era, we share a bond having artists as parents. It’s amazing to me how even though there was a language barrier, we managed to understand each other perfectly; perhaps it was the filial connection of two women, similar to that of a mother and daughter. 

 

Like her farther, María José is also an artist, and is currently an Art Professor in the Fine Arts Faculty of Seville. María José sees the world in hues of blue. I consider her style ethereal, she has somehow been able to capture what we see in such a delicate manner, taking her audience to higher regions beyond the earth almost heaven like or a blue utopia. Her work is best described in this excerpt taken from www.fundacionamalio.com ¨In her search for new artistic concepts, María José´s exhibition entitled Ämbito 4¨ stands out a great deal, where the artist allows the observer to infuse himself into the works, where he finds himself surrounded by painted walls with conceptual streets, imaginary landscapes and dreamed cities.¨ María José has been able to whole heartedly involve the visitor using harmonious blues  that makes persons surf along those certain or imaginary worlds of the artist herself.

María José is a genuine reflection of her art work, most delicate and feminine. From our very first meeting, she greeted me with open arms, the European styled double kiss and a huge smile, what a welcome! Even though we can’t understand each other one hundred percent, she is endearing and easily one of my favorite people in Sevilla.

Murat and his Spanish Guitar

Murat and his Spanish Guitar 

My first introduction to the Spanish Guitar believe it or not was in the movie Vicky Christina Barcelona staring Javier Bardem, Penelope Cruz and Scarlett Johansson.

After seeing the movie, I added Barcelona to my bucket list and said to myself that one day I would be just like the characters of the movie,  sitting under the stars on a warm summer´s night with a glass of  red wine swaying to the romantic melody of the Spanish Guitar. I was in love! Nowadays, the only thing that has changed is my preference of wine, I´d rather be sipping  on ´´una copa de vino blanco´´. and well now actually living in Sevilla Spain.

During the week, the museum Manager Juan Diego had been sending out notifications of a performance by Murat; a guitarist from Istanbul - Turkey, who was carded to perform later that week.

On the day of the concert, I arrived promptly 7pm to help set up the room in which the performance was to be held. Around 8pm Murat walked into the room, tall, extremely handsome and very well dressed, guitar in hand to practice before the show.

I sat quietly at the computer pretending to work as I listened to Murat play, it was me, him and the beautiful Spanish guitar alone. I was having my very own Vicky Christina Barcelona moment, and even more in love with the music than before. I remember asking myself if this is real and if I were deserving of hearing something so beautiful!

Later that evening, the room began to fill in anticipation of the show, I must have run up and down the stairs 3 or more times bringing 2 chairs at a time till there was no more space left. Finally the main doors closed and Murat began to play, so interactive, explaining each piece of music he was about to play in Spanish and English for his guests. He even sang coming to the end of his performances, but in my opinion, the most memorable of his performances was a peice he dedicated to his hero Paco de Lucia entitled  ‘Adiós Maestro’ I felt his love, deep pain and joy all at once, I literally held my breath until the very last note, it was Magic.

My near perfect night culminated with me receiving a signed copy of Murat´s CD from Murat himself as he left the museum. It said, ¨Dear Adaeze, never lose your beautiful smile¨ .....Murat!
I´ll cherish it forever.

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A night of magic!!!

A night of magic at Fundacion Pintor Amalio!

Last Thursday night, much like any other night at the museum was quite charming. Was it the evenings´ sun setting on the Giralda setting it aglow, or was it the lights that adorned the gallery floor for Musgos performance? Perhaps it was all of the above.

Mar Gabarre also known as Musgo is a harp player and songstress who was a semi finalist in Spain’s Got Talent in 2016.

Musgo had Juan Diego (Museum cultural Manager) in a panic when she was a no show just minutes before her scheduled 9pm performance. I kept on telling him to relax and that she would show up. These few minutes gave Museum Directors time to greet their guests in what we Trinis like to call a little tete-a-tete before the performance.  

Musgo arrived harp in arms and immediately busied herself for her performance. In no time she was ready and introduced  to the audience by Manuel (Museum Director)

Her sultry voice and delicate playing wooed her audience to a captivating still for the entire length of her performance except for the occasional applause after each rendition.

Yet another night of perfection!