Author: admin

“SIDE BY SIDE” – at Saphira & Ventura Gallery located in the heart of Venice Biennale  will be and co-hosted by the New York International Contemporary Art Society (NYICAS). During this exhibition, we aim to acknowledge the influence of art, technology, and sustainability on our daily lives and the art market.

This first edition presents a catalog of works overflowing with creativity and expressiveness, bringing together renowned artists and emerging talents from various nationalities.

In this environment of stylistic convergence, light and shadow intertwine, bold strokes engage in dialogue with expressive movements, and organic forms merge with vibrant digital art, enriching the visual spectrum with explicit symbolism. This exhibition celebrates the fusion of the classic with refinement, providing a singular and multifaceted aesthetic experience.

“Contemporary Artistic Synthesis” is an invitation to contemplation and introspection, a deep dive into the diversity and richness of the current artistic landscape.

In this space of convergence and divergence, visitors are invited to explore the boundaries of aesthetic knowledge, appreciate beauty in its multiple manifestations, and reflect on art’s transformative role in our lives.

May this sensory and intellectual journey inspire new perspectives and trigger an enriching dialogue between classic and contemporary, tradition and innovation, light and shadow.

Alcinda Saphira
Co-Founder | President | Head Curator
Saphira & Ventura Gallery

A exposição ANTROPOCRUZO documenta a repercussão de um artefato ancestral dos povos originários brasileiros (Manto Tupinambá) em um desfile de carnaval no Rio de Janeiro (Escola de Samba Acadêmicos da Grande Rio) a partir da perspectiva de um método de memória e difusão chamado Design de Histórias. Em 2024, os carnavalescos da Grande Rio (Leonardo Bora e Gabriel Haddad) levam à avenida o enredo “Nosso Destino É Ser Onça”. Guiados pela narrativa mítica do livro do escritor Alberto Mussa, eles propõem uma reflexão sobre o simbolismo da onça na cena artístico-cultural brasileira, abordando temas como antropofagia e encantamento e partindo da força desse imaginário nos povos indígenas.

A PUC-Rio (Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro – Departamento de Artes e Design), a UFRJ (Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro – Escola de Belas Artes) e o IFRJ (Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia – Campus Belford Roxo) vêm realizando essa parceria entre instituições de ensino e o GRES Acadêmicos da Grande Rio. Essa parceria visa ampliar a integração entre o processo criativo das Escolas de Samba do Rio de Janeiro e as atividades de ensino, pesquisa e extensão das universidades e escolas técnicas.

Agora, a Galeria Saphira & Ventura e o NYICAS trazem essa exposição para Nova York em parceria com o Consulado Brasileiro em Nova York.

Antropocruzo reinterpreta o conceito de antropofagia, tão importante para a história da cultura e dos confrontos políticos em relação ao colonialismo. Em um país marcado pela desigualdade e por ações coloniais e neocoloniais violentas, devorar influências (antropofagia) não é tão simples. Local e globalmente, a desigualdade é um alerta para a reflexão sobre cultura, diálogos ou visões mais ingênuas da antropofagia. Assim, revisitando essa metáfora do modernismo brasileiro, associamos o radical ao conceito de Cruzo (cruzes) nas obras de Simas e Rufino. “A cruz não propõe o aniquilamento de nenhum conhecimento, incluindo o canônico, mas assume o desafio de encantá-los no cruzamento onde o ser está disposto a enfrentar a incompletude de praticar o mundo.” (Luiz Antonio Simas). Antropocruzo é uma exposição que narra uma manifestação cultural que levanta essas questões históricas de forma mais contemporânea.

A relevância de uma exposição como essa em 2024 se deve a vários fatores. Em 2024, finalmente, o manto Tupinambá retornará ao Brasil após seu longo exílio na Dinamarca. O manto original do período colonial está agora em museus pela Europa! Em 2024, também celebraremos o 30º aniversário do primeiro programa de pós-graduação em Design na América Latina – exatamente o programa de uma das instituições de ensino deste projeto (PUC-Rio). Em 2024, as instituições de ensino celebram meio século de parceria com o GRES Grande Rio. Foi também o ano do desfile do GRES Acadêmicos da Grande Rio cujo tema foi uma lenda sobre a aldeia Tupinambá e o MOMA está realizando uma exposição sobre design na América Latina nesse período.

Assim, a exposição apresenta a cultura Tupinambá, a cultura do carnaval carioca, a relevância da pesquisa em Design no país e no continente, as poderosas relações entre diferentes manifestações culturais. O projeto também aborda a relação entre instituições de ensino e pesquisa e as ideias de: materialização cruzada, Cruzo e Encruzilhada – como a própria definição dessa cultura para si e para o mundo.

A exposição é uma instalação de vídeo interativa com imagens, vídeos e sons de todo o processo. Além de um documentário que narra todo o projeto e a exposição da fantasia e de uma alegoria do carro alegórico do desfile.

Saphira & Ventura and Espaço BB open the American edition of the exhibition “When Art Meets Carnival”, bringing the biggest popular party in the world to the New York summer, with the support of the International Society of Contemporary Art of New York (NYICAS) and the Instituto Bienal Amazônia (IBA), and curated by Alcinda Saphira and Marcia Marschhausen, starting on June 5th.

The collective brings together artists represented by the two galleries and guests, with digital works and large paintings, mixing art, technology and sustainability, with emphasis on names engaged in the fight for sustainability and preservation of the Amazon, such as the young Pedro Gui, Alexandre Mavignier, Bari Bing, Johnatan Ryder, Mônica Vianna, Vanessa Barini and Cris Duarte. Another important artist is Rachael Brown who, after the visibility of her work in the exhibition ‘Divino Feminino’, held at the Empower Her Art Forum 2024, in Cairo/Egypt, was invited to participate in the exhibition.

It is worth highlighting the importance of the role played by IBA, which aims to highlight issues of environmental management and sustainability, in addition to discussing topics related to the Amazon and its ecosystem through art, architecture, design and innovation projects, as well as educational projects . Furthermore, Saphira & Ventura Gallery will allocate part of the proceeds from the sale of works to the 2025 Amazon Biennial that will be held during COP 30. 

At Saphira & Ventura, the primary mission is to establish a new standard in the fields of Art, Design, Architecture, Technology and Sustainability, inspired by “Excellence”. The goal is to embody the essence of refined life, globally. Through its creations and events, it seeks to unite a timeless trend with an innovative spirit, awakening imagination and admiration, while honoring cultural heritage. Art is not just art, but a reflection of life in today’s society, embodying quality and essence.

 A reference to technology and sustainability in the arts, the gallery is the only one to present digital works that empower women .

For the second year in a row, Saphira & Ventura Gallery (NY), alongside the New York International Contemporary Art Society (NYICAS), participates in the Empower Her Art Forum (EHAF 2024), at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, in Cairo, between May 18th and 22nd, with artists from the United States and South America, selected by curator Alcinda Saphira, with the theme ‘Divine Feminine’, a project that has also been presented in Los Angeles, consulates, embassies and museums. 

Its importance lies in female empowerment in the arts, supporting social causes, and using technology to raise awareness about sustainability and diversity. And Saphira & Ventura, based in New York, is one of the references in these areas of activity today, internationally.

At EHAF 2024, Saphira & Ventura represents the artists Adélia Clavien (Portugal), Bari Bing (USA), Maria T. Ason (Puerto Rico), Márcia Botelho (Brazil), Flávia Jackson (Brazil) Sabrina, Helenara Andrade (Brazil) , Sabrina Carrilli (Brazil), Samar Kamel (Egypt), Daphne Anastassiou (Chile) and Gabriela Gusmão (Brazil), who are exhibiting at the only stand that will present digital works with Samsung panels. 

These are exclusive pieces, in the form of animations, produced by the gallery. They are also partners in the project, as they introduced and work with technology, sustainability and social causes in Egypt and Dubai. 

The opening ceremony, on Saturday, May 18th, and the closing event, on Wednesday, May 22nd, will bring together the country’s most emblematic singers and musicians, as well as international singers and performers, with Omar Khairat who will perform exclusive, on the last day, in the Museum’s stunning Roman Theater.

The first edition of the event’s “mother forum”, the World Art Forum, was held with the support of several important ministries and cultural entities. This year has the sponsorship and endorsement of WE Telecom Egypt and SANAD EGYPT for Women’s Empowerment and numerous other sponsors, in addition to a valuable list of ministries, including the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Social Solidarity, the Ministry of Immigration, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Ministry of the Environment and the National Women’s Council. Several other important strategic partners joined the event, including the European Union, UN Women, UNHCR, the Italian Cultural Institute in Egypt, as well as the embassies of Spain, Chile and Ireland. 

About the event, Shereen Badr said: “The forum is not only the first to support women artists, but to integrate audiences and artists in the disabled and disadvantaged sectors. As part of EHAF 2024, 10 workshops are planned at the Forum over three days dedicated to visually impaired and deaf artists, as well as refugees, and facilitated by artists from 10 different countries. Furthermore, each work on display will have a sensory replica next to it that will allow visually impaired visitors to learn more about the work and experience it live.” 

In 2022, EHAF founder and artist Shereen Badr participated in one of Egypt’s biggest global events to date, COP 27, in its blue zone dedicated to artistic expression and innovative ideas and organizations, as well as global artistic engagements in Italy, Germany and USA.

At Saphira & Ventura, the primary mission is to establish a new standard in the fields of Art, Design, Architecture, Technology and Sustainability, inspired by “Excellence”. The goal is to embody the essence of refined life, globally. Through its creations and events, it seeks to unite a timeless trend with an innovative spirit, awakening imagination and admiration, while honoring cultural heritage. Art is not just art, but a reflection of life in today’s society, embodying quality and essence.