UC General Library hosts photo exhibition 'Silêncio'
The exhibit will be open until the 30th of June.
The General Library of the University of Coimbra (BGUC), in collaboration with the Centre for Visual Arts (CAV), is hosting the exhibition 'Silêncio' [Silence], a collection from the Encontros de Fotografia [Photography Encounters]. Founded in the 1980s, when photography was virtually non-existent in Portugal, the Encontros de Fotografia aimed to place Portugal on the international contemporary photography scene. It was the first large-scale event for contemporary art in the country, and established roots and avenues for contemporary photography that continue to influence artists to this day.
According to Manuel Portela, director of the BGUC, hosting the exhibition is a logical step given the importance of the CAV's collection. "The library offers an adequate space to display the photographs so that our readers and visitors can discover a piece of Coimbra's photographic history".
Teresa Ponte, the curator of the exhibition, emphasises the idea of taking the collection out of the CAV and making it directly accessible to the public. "The General Library is an interesting space for this initiative, which also includes some photographs taken at the University of Coimbra," she says.
The exhibition features around 40 photographs, displayed in the hall of the General Library, carefully selected to evoke feelings of silence, calm and contemplation. Teresa Ponte explains: "We looked for photographs whose composition or imagery evokes silence and serenity. One such example is a photograph of Convento São Francisco, which is shown 'in its most dilapidated state, but now fully restored and once again a vibrant, living structure', she adds.
The title 'Silence' is no coincidence. Miguel Von Hafe Pérez, who is also curator of the exhibition, highlights that the photographs evoke the silence and introspection often associated with library environments. "The silence depicted in these photographs reflects the stillness of photographic history and serves as a visual memory that contrasts with the digital image overload that prevails in today's society."
The exhibition is open to the public at the General Library of the University of Coimbra until the 30th of June and features work by António Júlio Duarte, Bernard Plossu, Christophe Bourguedieu, Cristina Garcia Rodero, Didier Morin, Edgar Martins, Frederic Bellay, Flor Garduño, George Krause, Inês Gonçalves, Javier Campano, Jorge Molder, Martine Voyeux, Paulo Brighenti and Paulo Nozolino.