Your Art, Unless it Can Save the World from Self-Destruction, is Useless!

The city of Coimbra opens its doors to International Surrealism Now 2018 Art Exhibition

Your Art, Unless it Can Save the World from Self-Destruction, is Useless!

Your Art, Unless it Can Save the World from Self-Destruction, is Useless!

Your Art, Unless it Can Save the World from Self-Destruction, is Useless!

Posted By: ArtMattersInfo on: June 24, 2018 In: Art, Arts Diary, Festivals

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By Iminza Keboge
Published June 24, 2018

The Final Judgment, an oil on canvas painting Ribeiro Santiago created in 1997 

The Final Judgement, an oil on canvas painting by Santiago Ribeiro created in 1997

From threats of totally destroy North Korea to trade wars with China and from unprecedented levels of illegal migration into Europe, attempted assassination of politicians in Ethiopia and Zimbabwe  and terror attack around the world, you wonder whether there can ever be any lasting solution to these problems that are making the world a dangerous place to live in. But did you know that understanding art could not only open your mind but also free the world from catastrophe?

Santiago Ribeiro, a surrealist artist from Portugal whose multimedia art show is currently featuring at the Thomson Reuters and Nasdaq OMX Group at Times Square in The Big Apple in United States of America not only believes this but has, since 2010, been co-organising an exhibition to prove it.

For instance, 108 surrealist artists from 48 countries and five continents are set to participate in International Surrealism Now exhibition that is touted as being the world’s largest surrealist art exhibition of the 21st century.

The event, that shall be held in Coimbra in Portugal November 17, 2018, was tarted in 2010 by Bissaya Barreto Foundation and Santiago Ribeiro on the premise that art has the power to confront World issues head on, creates opportunities for dialogue that could lead to a better world.

Ribeiro says contemporary surrealism art, which he says is defined by the freedom and imagination it accords the practitioner, offers fresh perspectives and solutions to the trauma in the world of the 21st century.

The re-imagined fiction behind the dreams of the beautiful presents lyrical meaning of surrealism, bringing about the hope of a new life where the colours interact with the ‘blue thinking’, while opposing the ‘dark thinking’, Ribeiro says. 

Images of flying in a dream in the surrealist movement implies freedom and possibilities through fantasy.Here, humans fly through buildings, mountains, valleys, and water masses, Ribeiro explains.

The countries that will be represented in the International Surrealism Now exhibition 2018 include in Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Cuba, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, Ukraine, Venezuela and Vietnam.

© 2002-2018  ArtMatters.info

Header Image Credit: @santiagoribeiro

Author

Santiago Ribeiro

Santiago Ribeiro

Santiago Ribeiro has been creating art as a professional painter for the last 35 years. In that time, Ribeiro has achieved worldwide recognition as a surrealist painter and his works have been featured in museums and galleries across the globe. Ribeiro’s fantastic works have also been seen on the streets of Manhattan adorning the giant screens of Times Square.

Ribeiro is currently organizing the 2018 International Surrealism Now Exhibition in Coimbra, Portugal. Founded in 2010 by Ribeiro, the exhibition has become the largest surrealist arts festival in the world. This year’s event will take place November 17th to January 2019, and artists and visitors from all over will descend on Coimbra for the event.

The Portuguese surrealist painter continues to receive praise for his work. In 2017, his painting titled ‘Butterflies’ was featured at the Art Revolution Taipei festival. Ribeiro is always expecting the unexpected and he continues to paint diligently each day.

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2 Comments

  • Luke Taylor

    On 19 July 2018, 09:49 Luke Taylor Contributor commented:

    This sounds pretty cool! Where can I get more information?

  • Santiago Ribeiro

    On 19 July 2018, 11:52 Santiago Ribeiro commented:

    You can get it here https://www.facebook.com/internationalsurrealismnow.org/

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