Tasneem, owner of Tasneem Gallery in Barcelona, could be forgiven for having been slightly nervous ahead of last night's inauguration of the exhibition: El placer es más importante que la victoria, having shipped delicate works of contemporary art across the Atlantic from Peru to Spain to display the works of some 13 contemporary Peruvian artists. The opening of the Peruvian art exhibition in Barcelona was a resounding success. Peruvian Art Exhibition On a very lively and busy evening, people from Barcelona, Madrid and across the world adjourned upon a packed Tasneem Gallery to witness the opening of what is an aesthetically very pleasing exhibition, featuring an array of pieces created from different materials, media and lots of bright colors. The 13 artists represented were José Luis Martinat, Ishmael Randall Weeks, Eliana Otta, Harry Chavez, Pablo Patrucco, Natalia Revilla, Giuseppe Campuzano, Camila Rodrigo, José Vera Matos, Alfredo Márquez, Gilda Mantilla, Santiago Quintanilla and Juan Javier Salazar. You can view all of the artwork from the show here. To begin what it must be said was a very glamorous evening, Tasneem made a brief speech presenting the gallery, the show, and introducing the curator Miguel Lopez along with Aracari founder and director Marisol Mosquera. Marisol then made a brief speech explaining Aracari's participation (you can read more about that here). During his own talk, in which he gave a very clear and succinct rundown of the essence of the exhibition, curator Miguel Lopez told guests that "The show aims to portray the reality of Peru today." In what was an absolutely brilliant performance, he touched upon such themes as the economic boom currently being experienced in the country alongside the hard times that have been withstood in the not-so-distant past. Miguel went on to run guests through the ideas behind the specific works;
Tasneem, owner of Tasneem Gallery in Barcelona, could be forgiven for having been slightly nervous ahead of last night’s inauguration of the exhibition: El placer es más importante que la victoria, having shipped delicate works of contemporary art across the Atlantic from Peru to Spain to display the works of…
Aracari's Weekly Insight by Simon The Question: "What is the title of the most recently published book about the Incas?" The Answer: The most recently published book about the Incas is called The Incas: Lords of the Four Quarters, referring to the fact that the Incas split their Empire into four parts. In the book, close friend of Aracari Adriana Von Hagen and co-writer Craig Morris explore the Inca Empire in depth, from its ascendency to its fall. Published in 2011, it is “an accessible introduction to the Inca Empire” Adriana told me when I had the chance to talk with her earlier this week. “The last major work on the Incas was published earlier in the decade, and so we felt the time was right for a fresh volume that incorporates all of the new material and that is based on recent discoveries.” Adriana von Hagen talks with Simon of Aracari Departing from the all-too-prevalent Eurocentric approach to studying the Incas, Lords of the Four Quarters aims to examine the Empire “as it stood”. The writers attempt to unravel the many facets of the empire from a native perspective, largely steering away from Western paradigms, such as the notion that empires were marked with distinct boundaries or had clear cut beginnings and ends, for instance. Instead, they embrace the complex reality of the Inca Empire, placing it firmly within the context of Peru’s long and colourful history of civilisation, and within the intense geography of the Andes within which it flourished. Nevertheless, they still make important comparisons with other empires and civilisations, particularly examining how Empires rise and fall – perhaps all too relevant in the 21st century. While the book could not possibly examine all of the peoples and places that the vast Inca Empire influenced in South
Aracari’s Weekly Insight by Simon The Question: “What is the title of the most recently published book about the Incas?” The Answer: The most recently published book about the Incas is called The Incas: Lords of the Four Quarters, referring to the fact that the Incas split their Empire into…
Aracari’s Weekly Insight The Question: Why is Aracari the patron of a contemporary Peruvian art exhibition in Barcelona? The Answer: A good question: why would a travel company want to so fully involve themselves in the visual arts? Well, that all depends on how you define travel. At Aracari we…
La Tierra de los Yachaqs - translated as "The land of the wise" - is the name given to the community tourism Peru initiative in the Sacred Valley. I had a chance to try out several of their responsible tourism village experiences that allow an authentic insight into Andean life. Community Tourism Peru: Andean Life in the Sacred Valley Working with five communities, the mission of La Tierra de los Yachaqs is to preserve the history and traditions of local communities while enabling them to support their economy with responsible, authentic and high-quality tourism. This consists of travellers visiting the communities and participating in local customs, traditions and practices. Read more on the Route of the Achupalla gentle hike and weaving experience in Amaru village. Economic empowerment through tourism The community tourism peru initiative empowers locals to actually design and operate visits to their community. They must decide upon exactly what areas of their culture should be shown throughout the visit and are in control of the planning, booking and guiding.... they're even trained to recieve and respond email bookings! The name is closely tied in because the focus is on local people themselves having the wisdom to know what aspects of their culture are the most important to show to travellers, and to explain this properly. When compared to other projects in the region, where external observers march in and dictate what the visit should look like (which unfortunately happens all too often), the intrinsic value of La Tierra de los Yachaqs becomes apparant. That the word Yachaqs is a Quechua word reinforces ideas of pre-Columbian heritage, rooting the project firmly in the Sacred Valley and focusing entirely on local communities. The Route of the Acupalla with Tierra de los Yachaqs A Warm Community welcome On this particular sunny
La Tierra de los Yachaqs – translated as “The land of the wise” – is the name given to the community tourism Peru initiative in the Sacred Valley. I had a chance to try out several of their responsible tourism village experiences that allow an authentic insight into Andean life….
Aracari's Weekly Insight by Simon The Question: Which arts and crafts shop in Barranco is celebrating its 25th anniversary this weekend? The Answer: Las Pallas in Barranco celebrates its 25th Anniversary this weekend with the opening of an exhibition compiled of pieces that have been specially chosen for the occasion. Entitled “Tradition and Change”, the exhibition will feature an assortment of works ranging from weavings, ceramics and paintings to masks, baskets, charms and amulets. The exhibition will demonstrate not only the rich artistic tradition of Peru, but the incorporation of modern ideas and imagery into arts and crafts. “It’s not a normal distribution” Las Pallas founder Mari Solari told me as I visited for a sneak peak of the exhibition before tomorrow’s opening. “but a special collection of pieces that merge the vintage with the modern”. This was quite evident with some of the pieces on display, with traditional media such as ceramics and textiles being used to display such images as aeroplanes and lorries (trucks). 25 years of Las Pallas Mari Solari first came to Peru in 1966, and right from the off she was thrust into the country’s rich art world, with which her family was deeply involved. Before opening Las Pallas she worked at her mother-in-law’s art gallery in San Juan de Lurigancho for ten years, learning all about the country’s rich artistic tradition and meeting artisans from across Peru. In October 1986 she moved to Barranco and opened Las Pallas with the aim of promoting arts and crafts in Peru of the finest quality. “I fought for quality” she told me, “promoting those who were making things for use … and paying a fair price for such goods.” “Barranco was much rougher at that time” Mari told me, “there were no trees on the street, and
Aracari’s Weekly Insight by Simon The Question: Which arts and crafts shop in Barranco is celebrating its 25th anniversary this weekend? The Answer: Las Pallas in Barranco celebrates its 25th Anniversary this weekend with the opening of an exhibition compiled of pieces that have been specially chosen for the occasion….
Aracari's Weekly Insight The Question: Which is the most hotly anticipated hotel opening in Cusco next year? The Answer: The most hotly anticipated hotel in Cusco, due to open in June 2012, Palacio Nazarenas is set to raise the bar for accommodation in Peru higher still. This gorgeous hotel, a colonial convent refurbished by Orient-Express, will be a refined and fashionable property featuring 55 suites lavished in the most luxurious décor and amenities. “Nazarenas” is the name adorned upon the hotel because it is located in a former convent of nuns of the same name – beaterio de Las Nazarenas. The property was constructed in the late 17th century for a congregation of women who bore the name of Jesus of Nazareth. Orient-Express has undertaken an extensive restoration project on the building, and the property will make full use of original features such as wall paintings and frescoes. Now, considering that the hotel is located right next door to Orient-Express’ other flagship hotel, Monasterio, it could certainly be considered a challenge to distinguish Palacio Nazarenas from one of the best hotels in South America. Yet Orient-Express has managed this brilliantly, and the all-suite hotel will be completely unique in style and atmosphere. The décor is all being sourced from within Peru, so you can expect the like of fine Pima cotton, exquisite Andean textiles and hand carved wooden furniture in abundance. Traditional Peruvian design and techniques will run throughout the hotel, taking inspiration from Inca and Colonial styles alike, as well as the convergence between the two. The spa has been designed as an indulgent place to relax, again reflecting both Inca and colonial styles in Cusco. It will incorporate themes of ancient rituals of Andean cultures and will be adorned with plants and running water to create an authentic
Aracari’s Weekly Insight The Question: Which is the most hotly anticipated hotel opening in Cusco next year? The Answer: The most hotly anticipated hotel in Cusco, due to open in June 2012, Palacio Nazarenas is set to raise the bar for accommodation in Peru higher still. This gorgeous hotel, a…
