Catarsis. Procesos en el hombre, el arte y la naturaleza

I participate in Catarsis. Procesos en el hombre, el arte y la naturaleza a collective exhibition at ECA Espai d’art contemporani curated by Alicia Ventura, which is part of one of the initiatives of Abierto Valencia, promoted by LAVAC Association of Art Galleries of the Valencian Community

Catharsis brings together 54 works from 19 galleries across the Valencian territory, including Valencia, Alba Cabrera with works by El Roto and María Álvarez, Ana Serratosa Gallery with José Albelda and Bernardí Roig, Benlliure Gallery with Soledad Sevilla and José María Yturralde, Gabinete de Dibujos with M.A. Domínguez and Santiago Talavera, Cuatro Gallery with Vinz Feel Free and Silvia Lerin, Thema Gallery with works by Rafael Armengol and Marusela Granell, Jorge López Gallery with Gema Polanco and Javier Bravo de Rueda, Vangar with Alba Abellán and Lara Ordóñez, House of Chappaz with Anna Moreno and Fito Conesa, La Mercería with Daviz Sánchez and Lluís Masià, Luis Adelantado with Javi Cruz and Javier Palacios, Rosa Santos with works by Marina González and Andrea Canepa, Set Espai D’Art with Diana Lelonek and Olga Diego, Shiras Gallery with pieces by Rosa Torres and Rafael Canogar, Tuesday to Friday with Lola Zoido and Liam Fallon, and Volta Art Gallery with Martín López Lam and Nima Zaare Nahandi. Also, Casa Bancal (Altea) with Eduardo Infante, Alicante, and the galleries from Castellón, Canem Galería with Antonio Alcaraz and Espai Nivi Collblanc with Alejandro Mañas and Art Al Quadrat.

Catharsis has served as a common framework throughout the history of art for the creation of great works, often defining the key issues we face in the 21st century. Drawing inspiration from Andrzej Szczeklik’s book titled ‘Catharsis: On the Healing Power of Nature and Art,’ the curator proposes this guiding thread in which art serves as a therapeutic tool.

Medicine employs this term to describe a situation in which a purging or discharge of traumatic effects occurs. In many cases, this provocation was accompanied by an emotional relief response. If we draw a parallel with artistic creation, the state of relief corresponds to artistic expression. Sigmund Freud, in the late 19th century, focused on art as a tool for mental health when studying theater and its relationship with the psyche. He emphasized that the release of emotions freed the viewer from mental tensions through the representation of universal conflicts.

In this exhibition, we will highlight these cathartic elements, these liberating actions that have led artists to address the problems of our society, making us aware and even proposing solutions. Works on display will cover themes related to the environment and nature, mental health, identity, social and gender differences, among many others.

This body of work is contributed by galleries from the Valencian Community that are part of LaVac, the Association of Contemporary Art Galleries of the Valencian Community. It allows us to showcase the eclecticism of our community’s gallery scene, as well as the diversity of languages and proposals in the 21st century.

A contemporary exploration of an issue as old as humanity itself – our existence.

Alicia Ventura. Curator

Opening on September 20th at 7:00 PM

Opening Hours: Summer Visiting Hours (from June 1st to September 30th):
Wednesday to Saturday: 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM and 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

Winter Visiting Hours (from October 1st to May 31st)
Tuesday: 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Wednesday to Saturday: 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM