The displacement workshop with Antonio Sobral
The “artistic” collage technique appeared in the beginning of the 1900s, and got spread as
a revolutionary tool both in art and political propaganda. From dadaism to punk, collage
has been associated with conflicting systems of beliefs. More recently, collage has become
synonym with post-modernism, as a pluralist and associative language that suits the
continuous hybridization of contemporary culture. “Cutting”, “copying” and “pasting” from
multi-layered interfaces is part of our daily life, and a condition to perception in general.
In this workshop we will be debating and practicing collage. Artist participants are
encouraged to bring the tools of the specific media they want to work with. Those who
don’t have experience in the art field are also welcome, and can expect to find some nice
cut-outs to play! First we will take an overview of the history of collage, and see some of
its contemporary expressions. Than discuss and practice collage (rather as a concept than
a technique). In the end we will articulate and assemble everything created during this
workshop in a collective installation set-up.
Biography
Antonio Sobral studied cinema at the Sorbonne university in Paris, meanwhile he assisted
artist’s such as Adriana Varejão and James Brown. After his studies, he moved to São Paulo,
where he started to work “officially” as an artist. Having worked in different medias such as
film and painting, Antonio has adopted the collage technique as his main artistic practice.
His artwork was featured in several exhibitions between Paris, São Paulo and Berlin, where
he’s been living for the last two and a half years.
+ non-missing.blogspot.com
Dates 15, 16, 17 December 2011 from 5 to 10 pm
CHRONOGRAM
Day 1
Intro: collage as a concept
Overview of the history of collage
Basic techniques / Workflows (short discussion)
Collage practice
Day 2
Contemporary collage expressions
Collage practice
Day 3
Collage practice
Collective installation / Set-up
Chill-out
MATERIALS
Again, each participant is encouraged to make its own choices regarding his
media, as we will be working with collage in an expanded field (installation, video,
photography, “collage”, drawing, etc). Please bring the specific tools you want to work with.
We will have glue and cut-outs available. (please bring scissors).
Books, magazines, rulers, scissors, blades and papers/cardboards are never enough!
Antonio Sobral on the workshop:
Last thursday started the workshop I gave at agora collective, with a group formed by people from different ages and backgrounds (and the creative input of creatives from the agora team).
The first day I gave a lecture about the history of collage (from a chronological perspective), and we discussed basic principles and problems of collage. I also projected some short films, and a bunch of images that would inspire and help us to build a common reference databasis.
Finally, the air softened with music, we had some time to get started before the end of the day. Participants were very focused in choosing and manipulating images for their collage projects. The process was absolutely experimental, which was great, as everyone tried new techniques and formal possibilities, enhanced by dialogue and collaboration within the group.
There were several individual 2D collage works produced, and a site-specific collective installation that we made using collage and tape.
At the end of the workshop Caique mounted an exhibition with the 2D works produced, and we had some people over checking it all out. Nice atmosphere and feedback. We are already planning further collage meetings!!
