PHIA MÉNARD FOCUS
18/02 — 26/02/22
Multi and indisciplinary French artist Phia Ménard presents a wide programme at Rivoli and Campo Alegre, displaying her expertise, which crosses dance, visual arts, theatre and contemporary circus, as well as her personal, social and political commitment to society’s current issues. Through performances, films, workshops, talks and debates, we’ll be able to discover this plural artist, who is key to put today’s world into perspective.
Saison Sèche [Dry Season] is a performance where the issues of patriarchy are crushed by a set design with a life of its own, an allegory of a crumbling world. In L’Après-midi d’un foehn [Afternoon of a Faun] (version #1), a plastic bags comes to life to talk to children about a world ongoing an ecological change. The first instalment of the Contes immoraux [Immoral Tales] trilogy, Maison mère [Mother House], translates into a personal view on World War II and its consequences, leading to rebuild territories based on the Marshall Plan, which is a striking reference to an idea of Europe whose construction is frail and that needs cyclical rehabilitation.
Therefore, through these universes where world history and art history blend, we’ll have a chance to get to know Phia Ménard, one of the most exciting artists of today.
This programme also marks the beginning of the crossed season between Portugal and France, a cultural window taking place from February to October, during which plenty of French and Portuguese artists, many of whom from Porto, present themselves in both territories. The French Government chose Portugal as its compagnon de route for 2022 and Teatro Municipal do Porto as one of its main exchange partners. — Tiago Guedes
Multi and indisciplinary French artist Phia Ménard presents a wide programme at Rivoli and Campo Alegre, displaying her expertise, which crosses dance, visual arts, theatre and contemporary circus, as well as her personal, social and political commitment to society’s current issues. Through performances, films, workshops, talks and debates, we’ll be able to discover this plural artist, who is key to put today’s world into perspective.
Saison Sèche [Dry Season] is a performance where the issues of patriarchy are crushed by a set design with a life of its own, an allegory of a crumbling world. In L’Après-midi d’un foehn [Afternoon of a Faun] (version #1), a plastic bags comes to life to talk to children about a world ongoing an ecological change. The first instalment of the Contes immoraux [Immoral Tales] trilogy, Maison mère [Mother House], translates into a personal view on World War II and its consequences, leading to rebuild territories based on the Marshall Plan, which is a striking reference to an idea of Europe whose construction is frail and that needs cyclical rehabilitation.
Therefore, through these universes where world history and art history blend, we’ll have a chance to get to know Phia Ménard, one of the most exciting artists of today.
This programme also marks the beginning of the crossed season between Portugal and France, a cultural window taking place from February to October, during which plenty of French and Portuguese artists, many of whom from Porto, present themselves in both territories. The French Government chose Portugal as its compagnon de route for 2022 and Teatro Municipal do Porto as one of its main exchange partners. — Tiago Guedes