Six years ago, Marion Buz had a grand vision. Then, she bought an abandoned wine-cork factory in the heart of Silves. Last week, finally, her vision became reality in bold and colorful style.
“Jali is a new cultural center. We will present art, music, dance, design, and special events.” Marion talks glowingly about bringing in children’s art groups, art events, art shows, music performances, dance happenings, gatherings, workshops, and artist-in-residence programs.
Last week, more than 100 guests came for a gala opening evening featuring a spectacular “Up-cycled” fashion show, with the fashion designs of four innovative Portuguese designers. At the same time, two important Silves artists, Jean Davis and Manoli Ortiz de la Torre, opened their exquisite art exhibitions. Also, there was live music provided by Algarve celebrity singer/drummer Beto Kalulu, performing with a new folk-rock combo called The Bostones.
The building has been completely renovated, but with classic design; it pays homage to the style of its historic roots. You are first dazzled by a large, welcoming entryway. Then you discover three large gallery-sized white, well-lit spaces. Beyond, through glass doors, is a beautiful garden. The result: ample space supporting a wide variety of activities, gatherings, and presentations.
This is the goal Marion Buz had in mind six years ago. She believes in bringing people together through the arts. “For every culture and language, art is the universal way to communicate,” said Buz. “We can make the world happier and safer if we share the enjoyment of creativity and self-expression.”
The dazzling fashion show featured a dozen models wearing scores of up-cycled designs. The designers, from all over Portugal, were Cristina Guerreiro (on instagram: konceito.r), Marta Vinhas (www.sensihemp.pt), Manoli Ortiz de la Torre (www.ortizdelatorre.com), and Sara Figueiredo (www.libelinhadesign.com). They entertained the audience in two galleries with a wide array of creative styles.
One of the fashion designers, Marta Vinhas, explained her love of up-cycled alternative clothing. “I worked in the commercial fashion industry for 20 years,” Vinhas recalled. “There is so much waste and no regard for the environment. We as designers can do much more to help the planet.” She combines the conservation of sustainable materials with her choice of hemp, a very earth-friendly material. “The result is artistic freedom to express ourselves through sustainable fashion.”
In one of the three galleries hangs the delicate, colorful, and energetic paintings of Silves artist Jean Davis. She is known as a leading artist in the expression of “encaustic” art, which uses permanent natural beeswax as its main ingredient. The result is a very fine rendering of botanical themes, and abstract images. “I have been working with beeswax encaustic art for 20 years,” said Davis. “I love the blending of color and the beautiful surface it provides.”
In another gallery at Jali, there is a collection of fabulous cyanotype paintings by the versatile artist, fabric and clothing designer, Manoli Ortiz de la Torre. “I always start with nature for my fabrics, paintings, and clothing. I am never alone when I am in nature, it is all around and beautiful. My artwork comes from plants, trees, and scenes in the Algarve.”
Jean Davis’s and Manoli Ortiz de la Torre’s artwork will be on display at Jali until November 15.
Marion Buz moved to Portugal in 1999, after her career in the legal profession in Munich, Germany, culminating as a partner in a law firm. To follow her love of art, she opened her first cultural center, called “Arte e Alegria” in Poço Barreto, Algarve. For eight years there, she presented art, music, dance, etc.
Shortly after, she produced music festivals for three years. The festivals, entitled “Obrigado Portugal”, were held at the Parque Municipal do Sítio das Fontes in Estombar. They were dedicated to thank the Portuguese people for welcoming foreign residents.
Buz is also a founder of “Collaborarte”, a lively, creative shop in Silves that hosts a collective of craftspeople and artisans. For her new cultural center, she chose the name “Jali”. “I combined the initials of my four grand nieces and it spelled the word JALI, which is what you call a decorative pattern of overlapping designs,” said Buz. “It illustrates my desire to create networks, connecting people through art.”
For more information about Jali, check out Facebook: Jali Silves
Photos: Eric Roth
