The Art of falconry from East to West - temporary exhibition at Museu do Oriente - The 28th of February 2016

I decided to head to Museu do Oriente on Sunday morning despite not knowing exactly what was on in there, as far as temporary exhibitions are concerned. I was soon pleased with the fact that for the price of one ticket I would be able to see three exhibitions, the art of falconry being the first one.

It comprised a wide variety of objects and artistic pieces therewith related, some of which I was told had not been exhibited before.

I felt it was particularly well organised in as much as it covered several periods of history, different approaches and displayed artistic artefacts, which I found to be of great value. 

Engraving from Encycoppedie Francaise - recueil de planches sur les sciences. les arts liberaux et les arts méchaniques by Diderot and d'Alembert - Paris, 1763 (left).

Canopy vase in alabaster  with a falcon-shaped lid containing the remains of a deceased person - Egypt - Lower period (left). 17th century Persian illustration (right).

Polychrome decorated ceramics depicting falconers on horseback - Iran, Qajar Dinasty - 19th century.

Polychrome porcelain plate - China -"Rose family" - 18th century.

Arab hunters - oil on canvas  - Alberto Pasini, Italy - 1865

Persian calligraphy (photographic reproduction) - Prayer adapted to the shape of a falcon - Mohamed Fathiab - late 17th century.

Falconer and his assistant  with two dogs - woolen tapestry - France (?) - 18th century.

Return from hunting - oil on canvas - Philips Wouwerman - 1640-1665

Ex-Libris with falconer.

The falconer - glazed tile panel by Henrique Costa Lopes Nunes - Santanna Factory - 1977

Falconry scene - glazed tile panel - 2nd quarter of the 18th century (1740-1750).

Quilt whose central theme is hunting - embroidered linen taffeta with polychrome silk thread - India (?) - 17th and 18th centuries.

Falconry across Arab countries, Uzbekisthan, Kyrgysthan, Japan, Taiwan, Pakistan and Portugal.

Having received due recognition from UNESCO with the importance of falconry being awarded the World Intangible Heritage classification this exhibition is undeniably a must.

On the National Theatre live transmission of As you like it by Shakespeare at Corte Inglês, Lisboa - The 25th of February 2016

Following our latest rather pleasant live transmission from the National Theatre Mia and I together with a Spanish metteur-en-scène Suzi took to Corte Inglês so as to watch As you like it live transmission last Tursday, despite the fact that I don't like to attend these type of venues during the week.

I must confess this theatrical piece by Shakespeare wasn't known to me but its synopsis did catch my attention and drew my interest particularly after having read some of the critics in regards to the scene setting and the contemporary approach.

I was especially fascinated by the interpretation of the character who played Jaques, Paul Chahidi,  though I can't exactly define whether it was his tone of voice or his facial expressions. There was something very peculiar about him that in my opinion "envigorated" his character. There were some incredible interpretations by Joe Bannister (in the main role of Orlando), Rosalie Craig (playing Rosalind) and Marc Benton (in the role of Touchstone) as well.

I must nevertheless partly agree with one critic who mentioned the visual concept potentially being  a "distractor". I was astounded with the forest of Arden visual concept and particularly the way it was majestically "built up" from the ordinary scenario.

 

 

Such was the inventive manner that had me wondering  for quite a while how it had been made possible, not to mention other distracting elements like the entrance of cast in Aran sweaters as they brilliantly impersonated sheep or the rather creative and innovative harmonies of the chorus or the interspersed chirping.

 

 

Dialogues became secondary at times and so did some performances though the overall feeling was one of ecstatic delight. Definitely one of the best cultural evenings in February.

"A stunning production with the most spectacualr scene change the National has housed in years." - Alice Saville - Time Out

 

 

 

"(...) you come out discussing the visual concept rather than the actors' performances." - Michael Bilington - The Gardian

Photos by Johan Persson









 

Letting go ...

It is not always easy to let go of people who have been important in the course of one's professional life  ... even if one is well aware that upon reaching their retirement age they will have to move into another direction ... possibly one that will provide them with the necessary recognition ... the family's recognition.

I must confess that amidst some genuine opinions it's quite hard to hear and digest appraisal comments some people make when farewell gatherings are organised because it is as if they feel forced to either say what they never said or even intended to.


The ones who are leaving have got nothing to lose by saying whatever they feel they should, though in Felizardo's case that was never a problem once he always said exactly what he had to say.


I'll have to get used to his absence as from this moment onwards ... and I must openly confess I 'll have to make an effort so as to adapt to the circumstance ...

Letting go of someone we could count on professionally speaking isn't easy ... even for the small group of colleagues who have been used to his weekly presence (not to mention the numerous oral interventions) in the English Language gatherings around lunch time ...

None of the discussions will be the same (without him), this being the reason as to why we decided to genuinely gather today (though not all of us could make it) in an extra English Language session and honour his presence ... 

I could talk about him for endless hours ... highlighting his personality traits ... his strenghts ... his carisma ... and the important role he has played in one's lives ... but I'd rather not ... until I get used to the idea of letting him go ...