The City Paper presents must do events as part of the Christmas rush, especially an arts and crafts fair that requires plenty of time to explore:
Expoartesanias
This is the largest showcase of Colombian arts and crafts, covering 30,000 square meters of exhibition space and with 800 artisans from across the nation represented. One of the most anticipated fairs during the calendar year, Expoartesanias 2016 launches December 5 and for almost two weeks, tens of thousands will explore the main pavilions to pick up exceptional deals on some of Colombia’s most insignia items. With the slogan “Vive el origén de lo nuestro” the fair hosted by the state’s crafts promotion entity Artesanias de Colombia invites communities to participate and sell traditional crafts that are hard to find anytime during the year, and many made with ancestral techniques and materials. So if you have been wanting that finely-woven Aguadeño hat, cactus fibre mochila or twelve-place ceramic tablewear from Carmen de Viboral, then this is the happening of handicrafts that should not be missed. The fair is housed in the Corferias exhibition grounds. Cra 37 No 24-67.
Voces Intimas
The National Museum’s temporary exhibition “Voces Intimas” presents works by female artists who have defined the artistic landscape of this nation during the last century. The specially curated exhibit explores aspects of everyday life interpreted in many mediums, from oil on canvas to ink on paper, sculpture and installation.
Voces Intimas reflects the contribution of female artists in challenging the social norms of their times. Two striking works by Antioquian artist Debora Arango (1907-2005) are on display, and large paintings by Ethel Gilmour, who was born in Cleveland in 1940, studied painting at the Pratt Institute in New York and in 1971 moved to Medellín. Another important artist who has her work in the show is art critic and historian Beatriz González. Widely considered a founder of contemporary Colombian art, González’s work developed during La Violencia, a period marked by political violence.
The exhibit also presents “The body” a series of watercolors by the American-Colombian editor, film producer and gallery owner Karen Lamassone.
Born in 1889, Teresa Cuervo Borda was a pioneer of Colombian culture and as result, the National Museum’s named their main auditorium after her. Visitors will appreciate one of don?a Teresa’s oil portraits inspired by the European Romantics. Voces Intimas is on display until February 15. As admission is free in this former colonial prison, the show is a leisurely way to spend an afternoon at an important landmark and appreciate the central role of women in Colombian art. Museo Nacional. Cra 7 No.28-66.
Bogoshorts
Bogota? can be a luminous experience during December, especially if watching the silver screen. In a city that prides itself on being 2,600 meters closer to the stars, there are film launchings all year long, but from December 6 to 13, movie buffs will be able to enjoy the 14 edition of Bogotá Short Film Festival. This year’s version is divided into twelve categories so there is plenty of celluloid going around.Categories include Colecciones, a genre and theme based collection; Festivaliando and its “best of” selection from European festivals; a World Tour of films from Turkey, Switzerland and Poland; the animation ChiquiShorts and experimental works of Cortofilia. With screenings in sixteen venues and some 300 shorts, this festival promises to present the best of emerging and established talent. www.bogoshorts.com
