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19th January 2011
BRIDPORT: Portuguese artist displays ‘war rug’ at Bridport Arts CentreDOES a single object create an exhibition? In this instance, Bridport Arts Centre's Allsop Gallery features the first showing of artist Carlos Noronha Feio's latest and giant 'war rug' - so large it commands the entire gallery leaving only room for an audience, and this dramatic work certainly deserves a thoughtful one.
Carlos Noronha Feio is an artist who weaves his own national identity with others he encounters. His work is engaged with the points at which geography and migration meet, where different cultures collide, interfere and impose their own imperatives on each other. War rugs have a long history in Afghanistan, revived significantly at the time of the Russian occupation a generation ago. As with other rugs designed and commissioned by Carlos, he works with carpet weavers in Arrailos in his native Portugal. They work only using local traditional techniques and methods of production. These express great similarities with those found in Afghanistan, both arising from the influences of the ancient Moorish culture they hold in common. The exhibition programme includes talks, significantly a conversation between the artist and Michael Petry, curator of the Royal Academy Schools gallery and co-author of 'Installation art in the new Millenium.' His forthcoming book 'The art of not making - the artist, artisan relationship' from Thames & Hudson referencing Carlos's work, is being published in April. A performance of a collaboration with musician Ergo Phizmiz will add a soundtrack to the several layers of meanings in the rug. Details of both events will be on the Arts Centre website. The exhibition includes opportunities for group visits both discussion based, or practical, interactive sessions. If you think your school, community group or society would be interested in this, please contact the Box Office at Bridport Arts Centre. The exhibition has been made possible with a grant from the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, UK. 
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