"This exhibition comes from a collective look at the collection of Arquipélago – Center for Contemporary Arts, in which we think about issues such as collectivity, partying and sharing", also reflecting "on the way we long to be together and our positive thinking about the future”, stated João Mourão, director of Arquipélago, to Açoriano Oriental.

The idea behind the exhibition's name, “Chorinho Feliz” (Little Tears of Joy), stands for "a wish, an idea that we all miss crying a tear of joy that comes with friends, partying, devotion and tradition”.

“This exhibition is a look at specific moments in our past, at the possibility of tomorrow, reminding us of the possibilities we all want to experience again”, emphasized João Mourão, referring to the restrictions that the pandemic has been imposing on everyone's lives.

With this goal in mind, the exhibition shows works by Amalia Pica, Ana Vieira, Barrão, Catarina Botelho, Catarina Branco, Christian Holstad, Grafeno, Joachim Schmid, João Ferreira, João Pedro Vale, Rubén Monfort, Rui Moreira and Sofia de Medeiros, representing “moments of collective euphoria, of partying, of meeting”, trying to anticipate the return of these moments.

Therefore, the works of these artists and the relationships established between them will remind the visitor of moments of conviviality and celebration.

“In pandemic times such as the one we are going through, it is important, on the one hand, to recapture these memories of sharing and, on the other, to anticipate new encounters. That's why we want this exhibition to be a look at traditions, popular festivities, pilgrimages, and balls; but we also want it to be a moment of hope, so that we can quickly return to these interactions”, he highlighted.

The exhibition includes works by local artists, linked to typical Azorean traditions, as well as mainland and international artists, who also bring perspectives on other festivals and other ways of celebrating.

“Our gaze started with local artists, such as Catarina Branco, Sofia de Medeiros and Rubén Monfort, who have done some work on local traditions”, he said, revealing that some unreleased pieces will also be presented, such as three pieces by Ana Vieira which have never been exhibited in São Miguel.

“Some pieces have already been shown once or twice in other exhibitions and will now gain a new life”, he added.

João Mourão also wanted to highlight that Arquipélago's contemporary art collection, which has been put together for several years now, includes some pieces that were acquired, others that were donated and others that are in storage, which can be related in different ways and in different contexts.

“The collections are not stanch and allow us to look at them from different perspectives and angles; right now, this was the angle we chose to give it”, said Mourão.
"Chorinho Feliz" is an exhibition by Beatriz Brum, Diogo Aguiar, João Mourão and Sofia Carolina Botelho.

It can be visited at Arquipélago – Center for Contemporary Arts until April 17, 2022.