Review of Current Art Exhibitions in Galleries

The exhibition titled 'Levitation' was held at the Uzbekistan National Museum of Fine Arts (NBU) in memory of the Uzbek sculptor Bayat Mukhtarov, who lived from 1946 to 2015. The exposition showcases works created by the artist in the final years of his life, during which he sought to move away from traditional concepts of sculpture.

The exhibition features works from the collection of the National Bank of Uzbekistan, as well as from the artist's private collection, provided by his relatives. Bayat Mukhtarov was born in Andijan, but his personality developed in Tashkent. In 1979, he studied at the Tashkent Theatre and Art Institute, specializing in monumental and decorative plasticity.

Nevertheless, in his creative process, the sculptor consciously refused to adhere to academic standards. He was interested in non-standard forms and avant-garde approaches. As recalled by his classmate Ludvig Nesterovich, Bayat always possessed a spirit of freedom and disliked naturalistic copying, preferring to find new methods of expressing thoughts through composition, combining various materials, and using symbolic imagery.

After graduating from the institute, when the demands for realistic portraits lessened, Mukhtarov began working in his own unique style. Ludvig Nesterovich notes that the value of his work lies precisely in this individuality, in being unlike others.

One of the significant influences on Bayat Mukhtarov was the British sculptor Henry Moore, known for his monumental semi-abstract figures. Mukhtarov was attracted to the expressiveness of unusual forms, and according to Nesterovich, he saw energy and monumentality in Moore's works even where proportions might seem incorrect or the solution quite simple. However, Mukhtarov never copied others' methods, striving to create his own artistic language.

Literature and philosophy also played an important role in Mukhtarov's life. Among his favorite authors were Kant, Hegel, Hemingway, Vonnegut, Bradbury, Lao Tzu, and Confucius. Marina Borodina, a sculptor, emphasizes that, like many members of his generation, the artist was fascinated by science fiction, and this interest was reflected in his works. Fantastic and mythological plots served as a tool for discussing the real world and its potential.

Marina Borodina notes that in Mukhtarov's works, Eastern Islamic art, classical American literature, and philosophy are uniquely combined. Islamic art often features the fragmentation of large surfaces into numerous small details, which removes weight from the volume and creates a sense of dissolution in space. The artist achieved a similar effect by using details to impart a light feeling. He avoided precise anatomical depiction, allowing figures to be guessed at through silhouettes and motifs, which attests to the artist's broad scope in culture and history.

Mukhtarov worked with diverse materials, including metal, stone, ceramics, glass, enamel, and sand. In his layered compositions, rough textures are placed next to shiny metallic elements and colored inserts. Individual components retain their independence and are not mixed into a single mass.

Borodina explains that, unlike academic sculpture, which is based on power and monumentality, Mukhtarov dismantled these canons, striving to give the sculpture an almost weightless appearance. Even heavy metal in his works seems to 'float' in space due to his unconventional approach to materials, allowing him to create a multilayered synthesis that is relevant today.

The name of the exhibition is directly related to the central work—a sculpture from 2009 made of wood, metal, and enamel. This sculpture lacks a single solid volume. Its core consists of wooden beams and plates, metal details, and blue-and-white enamel fragments. The composition is framed by metal arches that freely curve around it and extend beyond its boundaries. The space between the elements allows the viewer to see through the sculpture, and the open structure creates a sense of movement and lightness.

Ludvig Nesterovich believes that the title reflects not only the visual impression of the work but also the inner state of the artist during its creation, comparing it to a state of 'floating.' He asserts that Mukhtarov's works evoke such otherworldly sensations.

In addition to sculptures, the exhibition also features relief canvases. Marina Borodina shares that the artist initially found the image in graphic works and only later transferred it to three-dimensional space. Over time, the drawing acquired independent value.

Borodina concludes that Mukhtarov's works require careful study. Initially, the viewer's attention is drawn to individual details—be it the curve of metal, a fragment of wood, a colored insert, or an image on a panel. Then, these details come together to form an image that can transform when viewed from different angles. Mukhtarov's example demonstrates that there is no need to follow established rules in art; one can find their own path and create something original.

The 'Levitation' exhibition will be available until November 14th. The gallery operates from Tuesday to Saturday from ten in the morning to six in the evening, and entry to the exhibition is paid.

An exhibition featuring over 140 works and materials related to the trajectory of Keith Haring is being presented at the Museo di Roma, located in Palazzo Braschi, in Rome. The exhibition will remain open to the public until April 11, 2027.

The show explores various stages of the American artist's career, ranging from drawings created on New York subway cars to his paintings, sculptures, political posters, and most recent productions.

Furthermore, the exhibition highlights Haring's connection to Italy and specifically to the Italian capital. In 1984, the artist was in Rome, making interventions at the Palazzo delle Esposizioni and on the transparent walls of the Ponte Pietro Nenni, on subway line A, between the Flaminio and Lepanto stations. These two works were later removed.

The collection presents iconic elements of his production, such as dancing figures, hearts, angels, barking dogs, pyramids, and televisions. Haring's graphic language, characterized by bold lines and easily recognizable images, reflected his belief that art should be accessible to everyone.

The curation was led by Kaoru Yanase, Ilaria Miarelli Mariani, and Claudio Zambianchi. The selection includes everything from the well-known Subway Drawings, drawings made by the artist in unoccupied advertising spaces of subway stations, to works of various formats and periods of his professional life.

As a cultural partner of the exhibition, the Hotel de la Ville will provide guests in its suites with access to the exhibition after the museum's closing time for the general public. Visitors can accompany members of the curatorial team, learning about the works and hearing accounts of the research and ideas that guided the organization of the exhibition.

The hotel, belonging to the Rocco Forte Hotels chain, is located in an 18th-century palace on Via Sistina, near the Spanish Steps. The property has 104 rooms and suites, whose interiors were designed by Tommaso Ziffer in collaboration with Olga Polizzi. The venue also houses several establishments, including the Cielo restaurant and bar, Mosaico, Julep Bar, Café Ginori, and the Irene Forte Spa.

Casa Dourada, located in Cidade Velha, will host the Psica Creative Fair this Saturday (24th), from 9 am to 5 pm. The event will feature various attractions, including free shows, a public lecture on the history of Belém, and a bazaar with thrift stores, bringing together artists, local brands, and exhibitors.

The music program will include performances by Zé Diogo, with his project Amor & Samba, and DJs Nat/Esquema and Roberto Figueiredo. Additionally, there will be a meeting with historian Michel Pinho, artistic interventions, gastronomic options, and a sale featuring vintage items from Psica. Entry to the entire event is free.

Gerson Dias, director of Psica, explained that the goal is to promote a day full of activities connecting music, history, art, and the creative economy, allowing the public to move freely, meet exhibitors, have lunch, and watch attractions at any time.

From Vinyl to Samba

The musical part of the event aims to bring together different age groups in the Belém scene. At 11:30 am, DJ Roberto Figueiredo, who has almost forty years of experience in disc jockeying, will present a diverse repertoire covering R&B, funk, house, disco, and Brazilian music. Later, at 1:30 pm, Nat/Esquema will take over the decks, being a prominent name in the current DJ scene of the capital of Pará. She is a researcher of North street culture and an originator of events like Meta/Esquema and Baile Felina, playing rhythms such as lambada, tecnobrega, zouk, and house.

The singer, composer, and instrumentalist Zé Diogo will perform his Amor & Samba show at 3 pm. Born in Maceió and living in Belém, he founded the group in 2023 with Isma Rodrigues. His repertoire includes samba, MPB, 90s pagode, samba-rock, and chorinho, citing songs by artists such as Cartola, Beth Carvalho, Zeca Pagodinho, Raça Negra, and Seu Jorge. After attending the Carlos Gomes Conservatory, Zé Diogo released his first album, Consertamos Disco Voador, in 2021, and is preparing a new solo work.

History and Memory of Belém

At 10 am, historian and professor Michel Pinho will lead the free lecture titled Belém: Historic Center, Exclusion, and Authoritarian Policies, open to the public. This meeting aims to provoke reflection on how the Pará capital was formed and what the processes of social exclusion were in its first four centuries, with a special focus on indigenous populations and enslaved people.

Michel Pinho, known for giving public lectures in the streets of Belém, often using a megaphone, has accumulated over a thousand participants in his activities. He served as the Secretary of Culture of Belém, was president of the Fotoativa association, and received the Eneida de Moraes commendation in 2023, granted by the Government of Pará for his work in defending cultural heritage. Additionally, Casa Dourada will keep the Auto do Círio exhibition open, with distribution of informational material.

Fashion, Thrift Stores, and Live Art

Beyond the cultural attractions, the fair gathers entrepreneurs, artists, and brands focused on fashion, art, natural cosmetics, and original design, in addition to a bazaar dedicated to various thrift stores. Among the invited exhibitors are Badgalart, Bazar Time Psica, Cabidê, Claubert Amador, Família Santana, Felipe Moia, Helô Rodrigues, Kaete Brechó, Koa Saboaria Artesanal, Lilo Ateliê, No Cabide da Eri, Sou Raízes, Spacemartt, Um Delírio, and Yvyorganic. The Psica Store itself will offer a sale of past collection items, including T-shirts from previous Festival editions and special Círio collections.

Artistic interventions will be carried out by visual artists Gabz and Santo, both belonging to Terra Firme and recognized in the urban art scene of Belém. They will work with graffiti and murals, and in projects such as the Museum of Urban Art of Belém (MAUB), customizing pieces brought by the public or purchased during the fair. Studio Black to Black, run by Gil and Carla, will also be present offering braiding services.

Between 12 pm and 4 pm, Café Dourado will offer a special lunch menu prepared by Marley Makes Burguer, concluding the program that unites music, circular fashion, and local creative production.

Event Information

The event will take place on Saturday, October 24, 2026, from 9 am to 5 pm, at Casa Dourada, located in Cidade Velha, in Belém. Entry is free. The schedule includes the opening of Casa Dourada, the Creative Fair, the Psica Store sale, the thrift store bazaar, and the Auto do Círio exhibition at 9 am; the lecture with Michel Pinho at 10 am; DJ Roberto Figueiredo's show at 11:30 am; lunch at Café Dourado with Marley Makes Burguer between 12 pm and 4 pm; DJ Nat/Esquema's set at 1:30 pm; and Zé Diogo's show with Amor & Samba at 3 pm.