“It is during crisis that art flourishes the most”

Brazilian curator Marina Coelho is currently residing in Bangladesh as a research resident in Bengal Arts Programme, working on the contemporary art scene of Bangladesh. She is based in Ghent, Belgium, where she is developing new theoretical research alongside other international curatorial projects. In a conversation with The Daily Star, Marina talks about the concept of curation and her practice. 

During her studies in Switzerland, she started garnering interest in being a curator. When she resided in São Paulo, the region did not have many independent art spaces. However, in Switzerland, she found independent spaces which artists or curators could rent. She discovered that the role of a curator is of one who contacts artists and follows up with their careers, and plans exhibitions with them. Curators work side-by-side with artists to come up with a show. Curators may also choose a theme and work in and around it. “Most of these function as experimental spaces for displaying art which are not necessarily for commercial purposes,” says Marina, “They are usually performances, sight-specific work and ephemeral art. These works are free and sometimes politically engaging.”

She ran a project called Kunsthalle São Paulo for five years. She began with local artists, but gradually began working with international ones. She traveled to different countries and learned about artists in their respective art scenes. She then selected some potential artists and invited them to São Paulo, where they experienced the Brazilian culture and expressed their observations through art  as a response to it. “The job of a curator is also to guide the young artists when necessary,” Marina adds.

While discussing about freedom of artists, Marina commented, “There will always be blockades, but it is during crisis that art flourishes the most.”

During her month-long stay in Bangladesh, she intends to meet as many young artists as possible and help them create portfolios which can enhance their artistic careers.

Marina conducted a two day masterclass with Bengal Arts Programme, where she spoke about the important art movements in South America and art in politically oppressive context. Artists, curators and art enthusiasts were engaged in an interactive exchange session during the event.