Pecha Kucha Night Buenos Aires Vol. 14

On Tuesday, August 25, 2009, Ciudad Cultural Konex presents the fourteenth edition of Pecha Kucha Night, a “showcasing + networking” event created in Japan in 2003 by architects Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham, in which 12-15 creators from different disciplines have 6 minutes and 40 seconds each to show an idea or project, through 20 images screened for 20 seconds. Once the presentations are finished, the guest artists get together to exchange their opinions, and the public is invited to enjoy some music and conversation.

The participating artists confirmed for this edition are:

Bobby Flores + Pepe Monje
Vicki Otero (clothing design)
No Avestruz (cultural space)
ZKYSKY (editorial identity)
Picnic (home decor)
Jaz/Franco Fasoli (art)
Schwerpunkt (audiovisual productions)
Collage Lab (graffiti)
ZIZEK (record label)
Maldón Entertainment (board games)
Mariano Sigman (cognitive sciences)
Amartya (NGO)

“Pecha kucha” (which means chit-chat in Japanese), is presented in several cities around the world, including: Amsterdam, Atlanta, Auckland, Austin, Bangladore, Bangkok , Beijing, Belfast, Berlin, Bern, Bogotá , Budapest, Buenos Aires, Buffalo, Chicago, Cologne, Copenhagen, Costa Rica, Delhi, Dublin , Frankfurt, Glasgow, Gothenberg, Groningen, Hamburg, Harvard, Helsinki, Hobart, Lagos, Linz, Lisbon, Ljubljana, London, Los Angeles, Madrid, Manchester, Melbourne, Mexico city, Miami, New York, Newcastle, Oslo, Perth, Portland, Porto Alegre, Prague, Riga, Rotterdam, San Francisco, Santiago, Seattle, Seoul, Seville, Shanghai, Stockholm, Stuttgart, Sydney, Taipei, Tokyo, Toronto, Udine, Vienna, Washington DC.

Date: Tuesday, August 25, 2009. 8 PM
Location: Ciudad Cultural Konex. Sarmiento 3131. Buenos Aires.
Tickets: AR$ 20. Ticketek Argentina or Ciudad Cultural Konex ticket office: Monday to Thursday 5 PM to 10 PM, Friday and Saturday 5 PM to 11.30 PM, Sunday 5 Pm to 9:30 PM.
More information: www.pechakucha.com.ar

"Dondoh Matsuri - The Fire Ceremony" at the Japanese Garden

On Sunday, August 23, 2009, the Japanese Garden of Buenos Aires (Av. Figueroa Alcorta and Casares, Palermo) presents the festival "Dondoh Matsuri - The Fire Ceremony".

This is an ancient tradition celebrated before the times of the Samurais at the Dondoh Yaki. In this ceremony, the God of Fire is invoked so the God of Earth wakes up from his winter sleep. The God of Fire warms up the Earth so the seeds germinate, and also protects the harvests.
The public will receive small wooden boards that will be hung on the iron tree and burnt, so the flames raise their prayers as they go up.
These are the steps to follow to complete the wooden boards:
1) Reflect on the past year.
2) Think on the facts or things that made you uncomfortable.
3) Write them on the board
4) Hang the board on the metallic tree.
5) During the bonfire, repeat mentally your desire that those disturbing things won't happen again and that they become energy that the soil needs for the crops to grow strong.
The main goal is to become free of the bad omen, and desire that the bad energy turns into prosperity.
The Festival of Fire will be accompanied by traditional dances and songs, Karate Do exhibitions, and a show of Japanese Drums by the group Mukaito Taiko

Program of Activities:
12.30 to 1.50 pm: ParaPara Workshop
2.45 to 3.15 pm: Taiko (Japanese Drums) by Matsuri Daiko
3.30 to 4.00 pm: Dance and Songs, by Japanese Association of Burzaco
2.45 to 3.15 pm: Karate Demonstration by Nelson Nakazato / Dojos Ken Institute
4.00 to 5.00 pm Bon Odori
5.30 pm: Closing of the Festival, with burning of boards and Taiko

BAFWeek - Buenos Aires Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2009/2010

BAFWeek, the most important event for the Argentine fashion industry, brings together the most established brands in the fashion world and the independent designers, for the launching of their Spring/Summer 2009-2010 collections.

The focus of this edition is on "Printing and dyeing", through the use of innovative dyeing and painting techniques in avant-garde designs.

BAFWeek 2009 will feature runways for daily fashion shows, and over 30 showrooms where designers will showcase their creations in an exclusive space, including accessories, shoes, bags, jewels, underwear, men's and women's clothes.

Some of the designers and brands who will be presenting their collections are: María Cher, Como quieres que te quiera, Cook, Cora Groppo, Kostüme, Mariana Dappiano, Paula Cahen D´Anvers, Prüne, Rapsodia, Marcelo Senra, Vicki Otero, Wanama, among others.

For the fourth year, BAFWeek will serve as an introduction of two new young designers selected from the contest "UBA-BAFWeek Hotbed", among all the students of Clothing and Textile Design of Universidad de Buenos Aires.

Dates: August 19, 20, and 21, 2009
Location: La Rural Exhibition Center, Pabellón Azul. Av. Sarmiento 2704
Opening times: from 2 pm to 10 pm
Entry fee: $ 20 Argentine Pesos. Tickets on sale at the venue 2 pm to 8 pm
Entrance to runway shows limited to the room's capacity

BAFWeek official website.

Auction of Argentine Art at Eduardo Sívori Museum

The Association of Friends of Fine Arts Museum Eduardo Sívori presents its tenth Annual Auction, which is intended to raise funds for the museum.

Almost 100 works by Argentine contemporary artists will be auctioned, including paintings, sculptures, photographs, engravings, and digitalized works by artists like Luis Felipe Noé, Clorindo Testa, Eduardo Stupía, Luis Wells, Eduardo Sivori, Ricardo Roux, Antonio Pujia, Leopoldo Presas, Eduardo Pla, Rogelio Polesello, Marta Minujin, Milo Lockett, León Ferrari, Ernesto de la Carcova, Victor Chab, Juan Battle Planas, among many others.

This is an excellent opportunity to acquire works by outstanding Argentine artists and starting or expanding your own collection.

The works will be on exhibition at the Museum from August 21st until August 26th, 10 am to 8 pm. The auction, that will be conducted by Enrique Scheinsohn, will take place on August 27th, 2009, at 7 pm.

Eduardo Sívori Museum. Av. Infanta Isabel 555 (opposite the Rose Garden).
Click to see the Online Catalogue of works.

Caminos y Sabores (Roads and Flavors) 2009

This is the 5th edition of "Caminos y Sabores" (Roads and Flavors), an exhibition that features, during 4 days, the offers in typical food, tourism and handicrafts from all the regions in the country.

The Argentine provinces will be represented in the exhibition through their native foods. The Fair includes nine thematic roads, which are the show´s trademark, organized in an itinerary that links food, beverages and flavors with the landscapes and traditions of every province: Traditions Road; Tea and Yerba Mate Road; Beverages Road; Meats Road; Oil and Spices Road; Fruits from the Earth Road; Cheese Road; Sweets Road; and Tourism Road.
As every year from the first edition in 2005, visitors will be able to sample and buy olive oil; home made salamis; cow, sheep and goat cheeses; wines from family owned wineries; homemade jellies, just to mention some of the products. There will also be tourist offers of all kinds at the Tourism Road, and a variety of handicrafts made with the typical materials and features of every region.
In the Cooking Room (Sala de Cocinas), at every moment, different chefs will be preparing dishes based in Argentine typical ingredients; and at the Conference Room, specialists in every topic will talk about tourism, regional food, territorial development, and other subjects related to the Argentine culture.
One of the main features this year is the visit of the president of Slow Food International movement, Carlo Petrini, to inaugurate Terra Madre Argentina 2009. Terra Madre Network brings together food communities, cooks, academics and youth delegates for four days to work towards increasing small-scale, traditional, and sustainable food production.

Dates: August 13th to August 16th, 2009
Location: La Rural Exhibition Center. Yellow Pavilion. Av. Santa Fe & Av. Sarmiento.
Opening hours: 12 to 9 pm
Entry fee:
General: AR$ 20
Children under 12: AR $ 10
Children under 5: free

Caminos y Sabores official website.

Concerts by Israel Philharmonic Orchestra in Buenos Aires

The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by its great musical director for life, Maestro Zubin Mehta returns to Argentina after 4 years, to present two charity concerts at Teatro Gran Rex (Av. Corrientes 857), on Wednesday, August 19 and Thursday, August 20, 2009.
This event is organized by “Unidos y Solidarios”, a group of non profit organization devoted to public welfare, which will be benefited by the concerts offered by the Orchestra in Buenos Aires: Fundación Nuevo Hogar LeDor VaDor; Fundación Tzedaká, and OSFA – WIZO Argentina.
Tickets are already on sale by phone at: (54 11) 4556-2222; 5237-4000; 4821-6352
Or you can contact me if you need help getting your tickets in advance.

NEW DATE:
The Orchestra will offer a special performance on Agust 23, 8.00 pm, at Luna Park Stadium (Corrientes and Bouchard), in benefit of COAS (Cooperadora de Accion Social). Tickets on sale from June 8 at the Stadium's ticket office, or through www.ticketportal.com.ar

Elena Roger plays Edith Piaf at Teatro Liceo

The original production of Pam Gem's 1978 bio-play "Piaf", acclaimed in London's Donmar Warehouse arrives in Argentina.
The play that was a hit success among London's public and critics, and for which her protagonist, Argentine actress Elena Roger was awarded the Lawrence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a musical, will run from July 17, 2009, at Teatro Liceo de Buenos Aires.
Edith Piaf, regarded as France's greatest popular singer, was born in Paris in December 1915. After a short, sad and tragic life scarred by abandonment, drink and drugs addiction, Edith Piaf died of liver cancer on 10 October 1963. She is best remembered for her song classics including “La vie en rose”, “Milord”, “Hyme a l’amour” and “Non, je ne regretted rien”, which are sung in this stage show.
In this new production of Piaf, Pam Gems has reworked her 1978 play capturing the rise and fall of this complex, fragile and enigmatic performer.
Elena Roger plays Edith Piaf. Her other theatre works in the UK include Evita and Boeing, Boeing. In her native Buenos Aires, Elena Roger’s credits include the original productions of Nine, Beauty and the Beast, Les Miserables and Saturday Night Fever. In 2003 Elena Roger and director Valeria Ambrosio devised "Mina, che cosa sei". This musical, based on the life of the Italian singer, won five awards including the ACE (Critics’ Award) for Best Actress for Elena.
The Argentine version of Piaf is presented in Spanish, with original songs in French.

Author: Pam Gems
Argentine Version: Mariano Detry
Protagonist: Elena Roger
Director: Jamie Lloyd
Musical Director: Alberto Favero
Resident Director: Edgardo Millán
Stage Design: Soutra Gilmour
Wardrobe Design: Soutra Gilmour
Original Production: Donmar Warehouse

Teatro Liceo. Av. Rivadavia 1499 Opens July 17, 2009
Wednesdays: 8.30 pm
Thursdays: 8.30 pm
Fridays: 8.30 pm
Saturdays: 8.30 pm and 10.30 pm
Sundays: 8 pm
Tickets go on sale at the theater's box office every Friday, 10 am, for the following week's performances.

Final performance: February 28th, 2010

Teatro Colón offers free concert for children

On Sunday, August 9, 2009, at 5.00 pm, the Teatro Colòn Orchestra will offer a free concert specially destined for kids, in celebration of children's day, at Teatro Coliseo. The Orchestra, conducted by Arturo Diemecke, will perform the following program:

-Gioacchino Rossini: Oberture from "La Gazza Ladra"
-Paul Dukas: L’Apprenti Sorcier
-Maurice Ravel: Suite from "Ma Mère l’Oye"
-Piotr I. Tchaikovsky: Suite from "La Belle au Bois Dormant"
-Johann Strauss: March "Radetzky"

Free tickets can be picked up at the guests' box office of Teatro Coliseo, Marcelo T. de Alvear 1125, on Friday 7 and Saturday 8, 10 am to 6 pm, and Sunday 9 from 2 pm, with a maximum of four tickets per person. The concert is recommended for children 6 years and older.

Salvador Dalí's surrealism exhibition opens at Abasto Shopping Mall

The traveling exhibition "Dali, los ojos del surrealismo" (Dali, the eyes of surrealism) opens on June 13, 2009, at Abasto Shopping mall, featuring works made by Salvador Dalí between 1950 and 1980, in a variety of techniques and materials.
The exhibition features the series “Tarot”, which Dalí made for his wife Gala in large size. Also religious and mystic series like “Los Diez Mandamientos” (The Ten Commadments), and “Siete Días de la Creación” (Seven days of creation), made in silver, “Los Doce Apóstoles” (The Twelve Apostles), with Gala as lookout of the rest of the apostles, and "El Muro de los Lamentos” (The Wailing Wall).
The collection also includes the erotic series "Casanova”, as well as scientific and futuristic series like "Time”, “La Conquista del Cosmos” (The Conquer of Cosmos), and “Objetos e Imaginaciones del Futuro”, (Objects and Imaginations of the Future) in which Dalí, like Da Vinci and Jules Verne, produces elements and machines that will become reality with the future technological evolution.
The series “El Quijote” pays homage to Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra with modern Quixotes, including a miniature that the public must observe with a magnifying glass.
The variety of techniques mastered by the Catalan artist becomes evident with the silver series like “Las Profesiones” (The Professions), serigraphs on silver depicting The Doctor, The Lawyer, The Architect, and the Fashion Designer, in up to 12 colors. The series "Placas de Plata” includes an homage to Pablo Picasso. “Los Deportes” (The Sports) is composed of the official medals from the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games, made by Dalí specially for this event.
The series of original lithographs “Daliniana” includes "Torso de Venus Surrealista", "Elefante Celestial", "El Caballero Leonardesco", "Ascensión de Gala", and "Los Jinetes del Apocalipsis".
Another technique probably unknown by the public is sculpture. The series of casts in bronze includes his famous Reloj Blando (Soft Clock), "San Jorge and the Dragon", "Terpsícora", "The Unicorn Horse with Clock", and "Alice in Wonderland".
Dali as a portrait artist is represented by the series of etchings “Españoles Inmortales” (Immortal Spaniards) and “Álbum”, showing the faces of Rembrant, Velásquez, Van Gogh, Michelangelo, El Greco, Toulouse Lautrec and Leonardo Da Vinci.
Amazing visual 3D effects can be seen on "Los Cristos de Gala" and "Los Anamorfos Cónicos". "Gala de Espaldas Mirando en mar Mediterráneo" seen from a distance of 10 meters becomes the portrait of Abraham Lincoln, an example of optical art from the 60’s and 70’s.

Location: Abasto Shopping Mall - Av. Corrientes 3247
Salon: Plaza Zorzal - 1st Floor
Opening hours:
Monday to Friday, 3.00 pm to 10.00 pm
Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays, 10.00 am to 10.00 pm
Tickets:
General: AR$ 35
Pensioners and students: AR$ 15
Group of 4 people: AR$ 110
On sale through www.ticketek.com.ar, or at the Ticketek office located at the Abasto Shopping Mall food court.

Gallery Nights July 2009 Edition

On Friday, July 31st, 2009, from 7 PM, a new edition of Gallery Nights 2009, the original circuit for art lovers around more than 60 art galleries, antique shops, museums and cultural centers, will take place in the neighborhoods of Retiro and Barrio Norte in Buenos Aires. Gallery Nights is organized by the art magazine Arte al Día, AdnCultura (La Nacion newspaper), and the Ministry of Culture of the City of Buenos Aires, the last Friday of every month.

As always, there will be live music and free shows, and guests will be welcomed with a complimentary glass of Chandon champagne. A free “LAN Audio Guide Tour”, is available (in Spanish only). Those who wish to participate in this virtual experience can get to the LAN stand at the British Arts Centre (Suipacha 1333), from 7 PM to 10 PM, and, with an ID, will be able to pick up an MP3 with the information about the galleries and exhibits chosen. This information can also be downloaded from www.artealdia.com to make the visit with your own MP3.

“Iluminarte by Arnet”, features Argentine video art at the Auditorium of British Arts Centre (Suipacha 1333, Buenos Aires). Rodrigo Alonso, a permanent collaborator of Arte al Dia, is in charge of the selection of the artists presenting their works. This time the selected artist is Adriana Pastorini.

Sofitel Buenos Aires Arroyo, along with Galería Holz, present an Art Lottery, with the possibility of winning important art works from artists like María Ester Joao, Jorge Álvaro, Pablo Bernasconi, Gabriel Sainz, Esteban Rivero, Andrés D’Arcangelo, Germán Wendel, Agustín Viñas, Darío Zana, Alicia Carletti, Febe Defelipe, Pablo Zel, among others. The price of the lottery tickets range from 20 to 500 pesos, according to the lots of works on which the bids are placed. Part of the money raised will be destined to "Red de Comunidades Rurales" (Rural Communities Network).

The recommended exhibitions this month are: Tulio de Sagastizabal “Continuo - Contiguo” at RUBBERS (Av. Alvear 1595), RO GALERIA DE ARTE presenting Marina Curci and Emma Livingston with their paintings and photographs (Parana 1158), Marcelo Villegas “Topologías Imposibles” at ANGEL GUIDO ART PROYECT (Suipacha 1217), and the exhibit by Ary Brizzi, Paintings and sculptures, at COLECCIÓN ALVEAR DE ZURBARAN (Av. Alvear 1658).

The traditional circuit of Gallery Nights covers from Plaza San Martín to Callao and from Tucumán to Libertador. There is also a free transportation service with fixed stops and a constant route to get to all of the spots in the circuit.

This event is totally free of charge.

Maps and more information: Gallery Nights website.

Children's Day celebration at Casa Rosada

There's a special gift for children visiting the Pink House (Casa Rosada) on Sunday 9, 2009, when Argentine children celebrate their day: at the end of the tour, every kid will be presented with an interactive CD with a visual tour of the Pink House, and a story with images about the history of Argentina (in Spanish of course). The CD also features, among other things, an explanation of the national symbols, and a recount of one day in the life of the President. This information is also available at www.chicos.gov.ar
Apart from this special event, the Pink House can be visited every Saturday, Sunday and Holiday, from 10 am to 6 pm, every 30 minutes. This program is called "The Pink House Opens its Doors". Visits are led by the "Granaderos" and no ID is needed to attend. During the tour, that lasts around 20 minutes, visitors can see the Hall of Busts, the Patios, the Presidential Elevator, and the Rooms in the first floor.
The entrance is on Balcarce 50, free of charge.

Saudi Arabia Culture Week

The Culture Week of Saudi Arabia in Argentina will take place from August 7th to August 11th, 2009, to promote the diverse cultural activities from that country such as fine arts, dance, music, fashion, crafts, and gastronomy.
The event is organized but the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Argentina, with the support of the Argentine Secretary of Culture and the Ministry of Culture of the City of Buenos Aires.
The programmed activities will feature dance and music shows on Avenida de Mayo, a live recital at the Rose Garden, and artistic presentations at Cultural Centers. All these events will be free of charge.

Schedule:
Saturday 8 - 3.00 pm: Live music at the Rosedal, Palermo
Sunday 9 - 3.00 pm: Dance, folk and music on Avenida de Mayo
Sunday 9 - 5.00 pm: Dance, folk and music at the stairs of Facultad de Derecho

Charity auction of Argentine art

Make-A-Wish Argentina announces the third edition of "Soñarte, sueños pintados”, a solidarity project for which 40 Argentine artists painted a dream to be auctioned in benefit of the Foundation.

The works will be on exhibition at the gallery “Paseo de las Artes” of Palacio Duhau-Park Hyatt Buenos Aires, Av. Alvear 1661, from Monday, August 3 to Sunday, August 9, 2009, 24 hours a day, previous to the auction that will take place on Tuesday, August 11, at MALBA Museum.

The artists that generously participated in this project are: Milo Lockett, Pancu Ledesma, Eduardo Pla, Martha Minujin, Jorge Diciervo, Carlina Antoniadis, Juan Doffo, Andrés Waissman, Antonia Guzman, Rodrigo Suarez, Ennio Iommi, Baston Diaz,Dora Isdatne, Grupo Mondongo, Nik, Karina El Azem, Anna-Lisa Majak, Claudia Brito Sousa, Romero Britto, among others.

All the funds raised in the auction will be destined to make come true the dreams of children affected by life-threatening illnesses. A dream come true may be all a child needs to get over his pain, bringing a moment of happiness and hope.

First International Fair for record collectors in Buenos Aires

The 1st International Record Fair of Buenos Aires (1ra Feria Internacional de Coleccionismo Discografico) will take place on August 7, 8 and 9, 2009, at the Pavilion 4 of Costa Salguero Exhibition Center. Collectors, big or small, will have the opportunity to buy, sell, or exchange recorded material that is virtually impossible to find on the market, including vinyl records, CDs, DVDs, posters, photographs, autographs, manuscripts, concert programs, slides, magazines, trading cards, videos, cinema guides, books, concert tickets, t-shirts, and all kinds of music merchandising.

On Saturday 8, at 8 pm, some of the best pieces and records displayed at the fair will be sold at a large auction. Among these objects there's a postcard sent by John Lennon to Paul McCartney, valuated in 30.000 pesos.

Location: Centro Costa Salguero. Av. Costanera and Salguero
Opening Hours:
Friday 7: 12 noon to 10 pm
Saturday 8: 12 noon to 10 pm
Sunday 9: 12 noon to 8 pm
Tickets: $ 20 Pesos, on sale at www.tuentrada.com

More information: www.feriadediscosdebuenosaires.com.