Gustavo Adrian Ferrari
Fileteado Porteño: Arts and Colours from Buenos Aires
Exhibition description:
Fileteado has 100 years of history and presence on the streets of Buenos Aires.
Today its bright colours and curly ornaments have crossed the ocean to be shared here with you in Tarbes. This exhibition is a way to show you the love I have for my land and craft. Buenos Aires is the city of Fileteado but it is also the city of Tango, architecture and culture.
That is why this exhibition is divided into 3 sections: LUGARES, MELODÍAS and BESTIARIO.
“LUGARES” is where I will transport you to some of the most classical and iconic corners of the city.
In “MELODÍA” I chose to pay tribute to my favourite musicians and songs, I’m sure if you close your eyes you could hear the tunes in your head.
In “BESTIARIO” I present you my selection of “imaginary fauna porteña”. Animals that might look furious and scary but they are actually here to protect everyone who loves Buenos Aires.
About Fileteado:
If Tango is the voice of Buenos Aires, then Fileteado is its visual identity.
This decorative art was born in Argentina at the beginning of 20th century. It started thanks to the influence of 2 biggest immigrant communities in our country - Italian and Spanish.
At the beginning it was a simple decoration on the horse carts that were selling bread, milk, fruits and vegetables. Later it was expanded to the decoration of buses and trucks. With time it grew to a more complex designs, with the use of different symbols and incorporation of short phrases, including popular and humorous sayings.
Today it can be found all over the city in shop windows, bars, restaurants, murals and signs. Flowers, acanthus leaves, ribbons, birds and pearls are among the most traditional elements. It mixes letters and scrolls, working with different layers of shadows and lights, in order to create a 3D effect.
In 2015 Fileteado was declared a World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO.
About Gustavo Ferrari:
Gustavo Ferrari is a signpainter, visual artist and a historian based in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He has been working since 2001 and specializing in Fileteado, a traditional popular art style from Buenos Aires. His artworks can be found all over the city, in painted signboards, shop windows of the traditional restaurants, Remarkable Bars, barber and tattoo shops. In the last decade he has started showcasing the Fileteado style around the world. He has since done this at Letterheads meets, tango festivals and various design events in the USA, Canada, Europe and Asia.
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