À Tona: Monstros e Vinhedos – Pé Franco

In the world of contemporary art, few exhibitions manage to captivate the senses and redefine tradition as A Tona: Monstros e Vinhedos, the latest collection by Spanish artist Lola Escámez. The exhibition, currently on display, invites visitors to immerse themselves in a unique artistic experience where wine transforms into brushstrokes, textures, and emotions.

What makes Escámez’s work truly groundbreaking is her innovative technique: she uses wine as if it were watercolor, applying it to different surfaces to explore the unpredictability of oxidation, intensity, and chromatic depth. The natural evolution of the pigments creates an ever-changing visual effect, making each piece a living work of art.

The exhibition A Tona: Monstros e Vinhedos is not just a showcase of paintings; it is an invitation to explore the fluidity of wine in art. The textures range from delicate and translucent layers to deep, velvety stains that evoke the passage of time and the essence of winemaking. The interaction between light, air, and liquid results in an organic dialogue between material and meaning.

Lola Escámez’s artistic approach breaks with conventional painting methods and positions her as a pioneer in this discipline. By choosing wine as her primary medium, she connects history, nature, and emotion in a single stroke. The unpredictable oxidation process adds an ephemeral and dynamic quality to her works, making each piece unique.

Beyond the visual impact, A Tona: Monstros e Vinhedos challenges our perception of art materials. It raises questions about sustainability, natural pigments, and the fusion of sensory experiences. Can a sip of wine and a brushstroke tell the same story? Escámez seems to answer with a resounding yes.

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“À Tona: Monstros e Vinhedos” – Latani & Pé Franco“À Tona: Monstros e Vinhedos” – Latani & Pé Franco



Le Mur des Collectionneurs

From September 5th to October 5th, 2024, the prestigious exhibition “Le Mur des Collectionneurs” took place, showcasing a stunning collection of contemporary art and curatorial expertise. Hosted at the Sociedade Nacional de Belas Artes, the event brought together a wide array of artists and collectors, highlighting the creative dialogue between art and language, inspired by the conceptual legacy of Joseph Kosuth.

Among the standout artists featured was Lola Escámez, a Spanish contemporary artist based in Portugal, who captivated attendees with her artwork “Cyclopes: The Breath of Euripides”. Created using wine and ink, her innovative approach demonstrated the power of combining traditional mediums with modern perspectives.

This groundbreaking event underscored the evolving role of curators as creators, bridging the worlds of art and philosophy, and providing a platform for artistic expression at its finest.

À Tona: Monstros e Vinhedos

Earlier this year, art and viticulture converged in a remarkable exhibition by contemporary artist Lola Escámez titled “À Tona: Monstros e Vinhedos”. Held at Fórum Romeira in Alenquer, Portugal, the event celebrated the seventh anniversary of the International Cooperation Agreement between Alenquer, Portugal, and Benkovac, Croatia. This partnership was born out of a shared commitment to preserving and reviving rare grape varieties and fostering cross-cultural collaborations.

At the heart of the exhibition was Escámez’s groundbreaking use of wine as a pigment in her artwork. Drawing inspiration from Greek mythology, particularly Homer’s Odyssey, the collection wove a narrative centred around Ulysses’ encounter with the Cyclopes. Each piece resonated with the themes of transformation and the passage of time, as the wine-based pigments evolve subtly on canvas, mimicking the aging process of wine itself.

The works featured a mix of techniques, combining wine pigments derived from rare varietals such as Empatia Superior, Empatia Vital, and Posip & Vital with ink, saffron, and other natural elements. Highlights of the exhibition included “The Fury of Neptune”, depicting Poseidon’s wrath, and “Movimentos Nómadas”, a vibrant representation of the Cyclopes’ nomadic lifestyle. These intricate pieces celebrated not only the artistic process but also the deep historical and geological ties between wine and culture.

This event was not just an artistic showcase but also a cultural celebration, highlighting the shared viticultural heritage of Alenquer and Benkovac. The collaboration exemplified how art can transcend borders, merging tradition and innovation to create something truly extraordinary. While the exhibition concluded in July, its impact continues to ripple through the artistic and viticultural communities, leaving an indelible mark on both fields.

A Timeless Tribute to Creativity and Heritage

Lola Escámez’s “À Tona: Monstros e Vinhedos” remains a testament to the symbiosis of art, wine, and mythology. By reviving ancient techniques and breathing life into rare materials, she has not only honoured the traditions of Alenquer and Benkovac but also opened a new chapter in contemporary art. The exhibition reminds us of the enduring power of creativity to connect, inspire, and transcend.

Check the catalog here: