The term “exchange” calls for active listening, engagement in a dialogue and, at some point, the establishment of a common ground. BLINDSIDE Gallery’s recent exhibition Tertulia speaks to this theme, bringing together moving image works from artists residing in Australia and Mexico: Julia Barco, Ximena Cuevas, Nasim Nasr, Yandell Walton, Dalia Huerta and Ivan Puig, as well as commissioned writers responding to the works, Alejandro Del Castillo, Gabriella Muñoz, Gonzalo Varela, Makayla-May Brinckley, Sara El Sayed, Scarlett Evans and Rebecca Perich.
Tertulia is co-curated by Claudia Hogan (Australia-born) and Carla Serrano (Mexico-born), who became friends when they both studied a masters of arts management at RMIT. In the exhibition catalogue, the curators state: “Throughout our many conversations, we have often shared views to consider the cultural and artistic climates of our two countries of origin. Within these exchanges, reflecting on pressing issues that are topical within a global perspective, we found that our cultural positionings helped frame and inform the nuanced understandings between us”. The exhibition is framed by this central theme of dialogue, which is also echoed in its title. ‘Tertulia’ is a Spanish literary salon/social gathering established in the 17th century, which was initially held in private homes. Over time the practice expanded to public spaces including bars, clubs and cafés. These gatherings typically consist of artists, writers and poets, who come together to present their works and share feedback. In this same vein, the exhibition catalogue features newly commissioned writings in response to the works of art displayed, written in either English and Spanish.
Bianca Winataputri is a Melbourne-based independent curator, writer and PhD candidate in Art History and Theory at Monash Art, Design and Architecture (MADA). She is currently Public Programs coordinator at the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (ACCA) and was recently Assistant Curator of Contemporary Art at the National Gallery of Australia, where she was part of a curatorium for the major exhibition Contemporary Worlds: Indonesia.
