Exhibition “From root to sound”, in Beja

Organized by the Municipal Chamber of Beja “Arts & crafts – complicities”, it brings to the city of Beja, music, poetry, painting, and an exhibition of chordophones “From root to sound”, which showcases traditional construction techniques for these instruments musicals.

The know-how of instrument builders and master craftsmen Luthier Cardoso (Trindade – Beja) and António José (Évora – Torre de Coelheiros), the music of Paulo Colaço, Ana Santos and Rui Óscar Teixeira, the poetry of Milene Conceição , as well as the painting by Manuel Passinhas can be enjoyed at the Casa da Cultura in Bejense, during the month of April.

Thus, in the Beja Chamber exhibition space, you can understand the process of building a campaniça viola, for example, in addition to observing live – and even purchasing – some of the instruments on display.

“Every day we should listen to a little music, read some good poetry, see a beautiful painting and, if possible, say some sensible words.”

This phrase by German writer Johann Goethe gave the motto to title our event “Arts & Crafts – complicity”, which is part of the exhibition “From root to sound”. The opening of the exhibition is scheduled for April 2nd at 6:30 pm at Casa da Cultura de Beja.

Showcasing the execution process of the builder José Cardoso in dialogue with the musicians, the poet and the guest painter, is one of the attractions of this project.

During the inauguration and in some of the planned workshops, the painter Manuel Passinhas will play an instrument from the workshop, the Milene, and he will speak poetry of his own, accompanied by the campaniças guitars of musicians Paulo Colaço, Ana Santos and Rui Óscar Teixeira. The breadth of sounds and uses that can be obtained from the instruments will provide a pleasant moment between the various artists and the public.

The opening will also feature a guided tour of the Exhibition “From root to sound” where a set of chordophones by the builders Luthier Cardoso and António José are on display. Also an integral part of this exhibition is a monograph alluding to the construction of the viola campaniça, which puts into evidence a traditional method of constructing plucked string instruments.

Viola campaniça construction workshops are free, subject to registration and subject to room capacity. They cover a set of 8 workshops, the theme and timing of each of which are available for consultation at the Casa da Cultura de Beja.

The exhibition, which is free to enter, can be visited from the 2nd to the 30th of April, from Monday to Friday, at the following times: 9:00 am to 12:30 pm; 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm, and on Saturdays from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm.