Fifteen Years of Love at the Pangolin Republic
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Kunsthalle Lissabon is happy to announce the opening of the third and final exhibition celebrating the institution's 15th anniversary. The guest curator is Filipa Ramos, one of the most international portuguese curators. The exhibition features works by Ad Minoliti, Amalia Pica, Daniel Gustav Cramer, Flora Rebollo, Gabriel Chaile, Haris Epaminonda, Irene Kopelman, Jonathas de Andrade, Luís Lázaro Matos, Mariana Caló e Francisco Queimadela, Mounira Al Solh, Nuno Sousa Vieira, Sheroanawe Hakihiiwe, Sol Calero, Teresa Solar Abboud and Wilfredo Prieto.
According to the curator:
Fifteen years ago, when Kunsthalle Lissabon begun, Portugal’s context made few dreams possible. But there was an incredible desire for change and so much to be done. Those years also saw a generational shift, characterised by a new collaborative spirit amongst artists and art workers, united by their drive to reaffirm art’s role in society. Many upcoming artists and curators were finding elsewhere what was missed in Portugal, often wondering why there were so many agile art centres out there with a programme that was inclusive, open to experimentation, fun, intelligent and creative, while in Lisbon this was only a mirage. Then Kunsthalle Lissabon appeared, finding its home in a stunning and derelict building in Avenida da Liberdade, alongside a series of other initiatives and studios they shared the space with. The rest is history.Fifteen years ago, when Kunsthalle Lissabon begun, I was annoyed by its name. Germany, leading the European Union, had imposed major restrictions to the Portuguese economy, putting individuals, families, the arts, businesses and the country’s finance in a state of despair. I couldn’t find any good argument for using a name with a Germanic association, even if it aimed at filling a gap in Portugal and demonstrating that sometimes you only have to say that something is true for it to come into being. In 2009, Lisboa, Lisbon, Lissabon gained a Kunsthalle, despite all the despites. A Kunsthalle that insisted, persisted, moved forward, hugged, struggled, danced, explored, invented, supported, hosted, was hosted and helped to foster and bring together a scene. I was finally convinced.
Fifteen years ago, when Kunsthalle Lissabon begun, I could not imagine that we would be here, fifteen years later, celebrating the becoming teenager of this institution that will now maybe rebel or discover its hidden talents or face some emotional rushes, typical of its age. Or maybe do something unexpected. I should probably say that I can’t wait to see what Kunsthalle Lissabon’s next fifteen years will bring. Actually no. What I can’t wait is to see what João Mourão and Luís Silva will feel like doing for the next fifteen years. This space is a product of love, of their love and of the love they created around them, which is why this exhibition title speaks of fifteen years of love. First and foremost the title alludes to their love, and then of our love too, we, those who have been touched by and participated in it. Fifteen Years of Love at the Pangolin Republic revisits Kunsthalle Lissabon’s history, presenting the work of sixteen artists who have exhibited their work across these years, from 2009 until 2023. These fifteen artworks address expressions of love and regeneration, which reveal themselves in various ways, from filial affection and collaboration to forms of solidarity with peers and communities, manifestations of kinship towards other living beings, expressions of self-love and healing or taxonomic classifications of modalities of communicating and declaring love.
Fifteen years ago, when Kunsthalle Lissabon begun, artist Luís Lazaro Matos was still a fine arts student. He would not have guessed that the Pangolin Republic flag that he created later, in 2020, would become an actual instance. This exhibition title also celebrates the fact that love makes anything becomes possible, even Kunsthalles and even Pangolin Republics. As seen, sometimes it’s enough to give something a name for it to become true. Just like Kunsthalle Lissabon fulfilled its self-assigned mission over these last fifteen years, I am almost sure that the Pangolin Republic is about to be formed.