1,000 balloons?

The unique pop-up exhibition “THEATROS”, is by Brazilian contemporary artist, Flávia Junqueira, boasting more than 1,000 balloons in an ephemeral immersive installation. The exclusive exhibition took place in Teatro Tivoli BBVA in Lisbon on the 27 July for a mere eight hours.

The work of Flávia Junqueira focuses on the photography of installations designed by the artist and mounted in situ in theatres and spaces of cultural relevance. Balloons are the artistic medium in which Flávia works, giving three-dimensionality to the spaces that are presented, in her installations, with a new spatial and perspective reading.

The Tivoli BBVA Theatre celebrated its centenary and was chosen specifically by the artist who had already held the immersive installation at the Liceu Opera Barcelona (Spain), Teatro Colón (Colombia), and Teatro Amazonas (Brazil). Admission to the event was via donation and the entrance to the exhibition was made through a donation which totalled an incredible €2,943.00 that reverted, in full, to APOIARTE / Casa do Artista.

Reality & Fantasy

The Portugal News decided to catch up with the artist, who expressed that “THEATROS” was “inspired by (her) fascination with theatrical spaces and the way they encapsulate magic and fantasy.” She went on to share that “These places have a very rich historical and emotional character, and I wanted to capture the essence of the theaters, the nostalgia and the grandeur of these spaces, bringing out the memories and atmosphere they carry. Each photograph is an attempt to immerse the viewer in this enchanted world, where reality and fantasy meet.”

Flávia explained that “staged photography is an essential part of (her) work. It involves creating detailed and often fantastical sets, which require the collaboration of a talented team of set designers, lighting designers, costume designers, and assistants. Each photograph is the result of a collective effort, where every detail is carefully planned and executed to create the final image I see in my mind.”

“Presenting my view of the world”

Flávia recounted how her artistic journey began, “My interest in art began in childhood, back then I had a strong interest in philosophy, literature, and the arts. Although I didn't have incredible technical skills, I realised that this wasn't necessary to be a good artist. During high school, I took courses in fine arts and music, trying to find what I really liked. I studied law and philosophy before finally opting for fine arts, as I realised that I needed a more effective way to present my view of the world.”

It was also interesting to hear more about the key theme that runs through the artist's work. Flávia told The Portugal News “Childhood is a recurring theme in my work because it represents a period of innocence, imagination, and discovery. I try to capture this playful and magical essence in my photographs, creating scenarios that refer to childhood dreams and memories. In addition to childhood, other fundamental themes include memory, the history of spaces, and the intersection between reality and fantasy.”

Childhood is vibrantly represented in Flávia’s extraordinary work and moreover, her work encompasses an element of magic. “Bringing magic to the public is one of the greatest joys of my job. Seeing people's reactions and how they connect emotionally with the images is extremely rewarding. I believe that art has the power to transport people to other worlds and provide them with moments of enchantment and reflection.”

Fuelling ones imagination

We also spoke on creativity, with Flávia sharing “My main influences come from cinema, literature and architecture. Federico Fellini, in particular, has a significant impact on my work for his dreamlike and surrealist approach. I feel most creative in historical and theatrical spaces, where the atmosphere and history of these venues fuel my imagination and inspiration.”

When asked about future exhibitions, Flávia affirmed that she will be focusing her attention on carrying out more exhibitions in Brazil. “I have two exhibitions that will open soon in the second half of the year in the city of São Paulo. I am very excited about these exhibitions, which will bring new perspectives and explorations within my work.”

When asked about her hopes for the future, Flávia concluded that she will “continue to explore new themes and spaces, always seeking to innovate and bring something unique to the public. I want to expand my work internationally and collaborate with other artists and cultural institutions. Additionally, I plan to continue to use my art as a way to connect people and promote appreciation of the beauty and history that surrounds us.”

Readers can still find Flávia’s work in temporary exhibitions and specific projects in collaboration with cultural institutions in Portugal. “I recommend that readers follow the social networks and websites of partner galleries and theaters to stay up to date with my exhibitions and events.”

For more information, please visit https://flaviajunqueira.com/, alternatively, you can find the artist at https://www.instagram.com/flavia_junqueira_/

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