אנדרדוגים חוזרים עם Halfstudio

The exhibitions will be running from 20 January until 18 March 2023 at Rua Fernando Palha, Armazém 56, 1950-132 Lisbon, with the following opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday from 2pm to 7pm and best of all it is free entry!

In the main Gallery space Portuguese collective Halfstudio explores the concept of a journey in its dimension as a process of actualisation. In the Capsule space, Swiss artist Tobias Gutmann proposes an experience that defies self-perception and questions our relationship with technology and artificial intelligence.

Underdogs is a cultural platform based in Lisbon, Portugal that encompasses a gallery with two exhibition areas, a public art programme, the production of artist editions, and the development of commissioned art projects. Established in 2010 and consolidated in its present form in 2013, Underdogs works with a diversified roster of Portuguese and international artists connected with the urban-inspired contemporary art universe, fostering the development of close relationships between creators, the public, and the city with the aim of promoting art as an everyday experience.

Halfstudio

On Friday 20 January Underdogs opens A Journey, the second solo show by Halfstudio at the Gallery. After a first exhibition of the duo comprised by Mariana Branco and Emanuel Barreira in the Capsule space in 2021, this presentation of new works takes over the main space of the Gallery in Marvila, and is accompanied by the launch of a limited edition. In parallel, Halfstudio is also developing a large-scale public art installation in the Moscavide and Portela parish, to be revealed at the end of January. In turn, the Capsule space will take in “I can do that too!” says the AI, the first solo show by artist Tobias Gutmann in Portugal, bringing us a provocative and forward-thinking perspective about the perception we have of ourselves, art and our relationship with artificial intelligence.

From the Halfstudio, “the A Journey exhibition” the duo of artists Mariana Branco and Emanuel Barreira will take over the main space of Underdogs Gallery, transforming it into a path that reflects the different stages of a journey. Through a map outlined in vinyl on the floor, they indicate a trajectory that illustrates the phases we go through in order to reach the actualization of an idea, a dream or a transformation, taking on both a personal and universal dimension.”

This path is punctuated by unique pieces that mirror the visual and creative language that is characteristic of this collective, using volumetric letters and dynamic layouts with vibrant colours and impactful messages that reveal the nature and tone of the different phases of the journey. In this way, they invite visitors to experience, live and relive feelings, emotions and states of mind, immersing them into a voyage that is as individual as it is collective; that provokes both introspection and communion.

Halfstudio’s artists Mariana and Emanuel are the artists behind Halfstudio, a collective based in Portugal which develops projects in various creative fields always with letting and sign painting as the central element. Their visual language is characterized by the use of three-dimensional letters and dynamic layouts and striking messages and vibrant colours. www.halfstudio.net.

Tobias Gutmann

Artist Tobias Gutmann’s artist practises lies in the creation and investigation of encounters, his drawings always entail playfulness and curiosity, wilderness and tranquillity.

In “I can do that too!” Says the AI, Swiss artist Tobias Gutmann presents the public with Sai Bot: an artificial intelligence robot that produces portraits in real time, using the thousands of drawings the artist has created since 2012 in the scope of his Face-o-mat project as a source. From this data, Sai Bot assimilates and learns the formal language and repertoire of the portraits, thus creating their own combinations. www.tobiasgutmann.com.

The portraits embody the works of the exhibition, and the creation process of each one is experiential and intimate. The visitor that desires to be drawn by Sai Bot sits down in front of them and enters into a personal interaction with the robot, who speaks, asking questions while they process tracers and characteristics.

Relevant and contemporary, “I can do that too!” Says the AI enters into controversial territory, leaving us with a fundamental question: is it possible that humans do intuitively what machines do automatically? The answer can be found by each one, in each experience.

Underdogs is a cultural platform based in Lisbon, established in 2010, that encompasses a gallery with two exhibition areas, a public art programme, the production of artist editions, and the development of commissioned art projects. Underdogs works with a diversified roster of Portuguese and international artists connected with the urban-inspired contemporary art universe, fostering the development of close relationships between creators, the public, and the city with the aim of promoting art as an everyday experience.

For more information, please visit www.under-dogs.net.

Following undertaking her university degree in English with American Literature in the UK, Cristina da Costa Brookes moved back to Portugal to pursue a career in Journalism, where she has worked at The Portugal News for 3 years. Cristina’s passion lies with Arts & Culture as well as sharing all important community-related news.

Cristina da Costa Brookes