NNA 10/30/2024

NNA - «CAMINANTE» by Alida Torbay at Macam: An introspection on the evolution of the world

NNA - The multidisciplinary Lebanese-Venezuelan artist, Alida Torbay is presenting the exhibition entitled "Caminante" at MACAM (Modern And Contemporary Art Museum) after the Cervantes Institute of Beirut. Inspired by Antonio Machado's poem "Caminante", Alida Torbay is celebrating the individual's journey through life, hence incarnating the idea that our path is revealed as we walk.

«Caminante, no hay camino, se hace camino al andar » (Wayfarer, there is no path, the path is done by walking), Machado's words come to challenge Alida Torbay and inspire her to sail on an artistic journey to explore the very nature of existence. She unveils a masterpiece, mirroring an introspection of the evolution of the world. Indeed, Alida Torbay draws from her own travels around the world, as well as the experiences, the encounters that paved her path, therefore inviting us to dwell on our own journey through life.

The exhibition is curated by Angelo Gioè. He is currently the director of the Italian Institute of Culture in Beirut."Caminante" presents a mixture of captivating bronze and resin sculptures and installations symbolizing the dynamic nature of traveling.

At the entrance, the visitors are welcomed by a sound installation with the poem "Caminante" read in Arabic by renowned actor Rifaat Torbey and in Spanish by Angelo Gioè.  Resin sculptures accompany the path all the way long representing giant steps, visually illustrating the constant progress of the individual throughout the world. Bronze statues occupy the hall, each carrying its connotation: one, incarnating a representation in a seated position on a bench with an open suitcase, symbolizing the emigrant. Another one, "Girl with Balloons" incarnates the dream and the lightness while "Woman with the Mask" reminds us of our dual identity, represented by the masks we wear throughout our life.

Visitors discover a selection of 20 sculptures, old and new, three of which stand out for their particular importance. "The Wayfarer", carrying a video in his belly, explores the complexity of our identity, shaped by the masks we wear. Two brides, one in white, and the other one in black, respectively reflect the decomposition of nature, the claim for difference, and the fight for freedom in the face of the challenges of our era, the religious dogmas, the endangered democracies, the new dictatorships of all kinds, and the inhumane technology. Alida Torbay's approach aims to remind us that democracies and freedoms are highly at risk in case we do not defend them.

According to Alida Torbay, "Physically and technically, we are witnessing the emergence of the superhuman, a man who has forgotten his spiritual, moral, and ethical dimension. How can we survive without humanism?".

"Caminante" is much more than a simple art exhibition, it is a true artistic odyssey that transports the spectator through emotions and experiences that have marked the life of the artist, a visual and sensory exploration. Through a series of bronze and resin sculptures, immersive installations, and evocative videos, she guides us on an introspective journey, inviting us to reflect on our own life path.

According to Angelo Gioè: "The condition of the wayfarer is the primary, unavoidable biological condition of our own humanity. Walking transforms us, walking makes us human, walking unties our knots, lubricates our thoughts, activates our organs, and makes us stronger".

Universal themes lie in the heart of "Caminante": identity, the passing of time, freedom, and the human condition. From Machado's timeless words, Alida Torbay strives to explore the human soul, inviting us to contemplate our own existence with new and open eyes. However, she especially calls us to action since it is an invitation to reflect on our place in the world and the values that enliven us. In this world of perpetual motion, where certainties seem so friable, where traditional benchmarks are questioned, "Caminante" comes to offer a space of reflection and contemplation, an opportunity to reconnect with the essential and the authentic in our lives, through an artistic journey that will awaken your senses and feed your spirit. 

A contemporary dance performance specially created for the opening of the exhibition was presented by the Beirut Physical Lab.

Alida Torbay brings the richness of her background to her work. She began her career as a lawyer after studying law at St Joseph's University in Beirut. She left Lebanon in 1989 to study bioethics at the University of Barcelona in Spain and philosophy at the Simon Bolivar University in Caracas. After running a medical representation company and supporting Milbermar, the social and medical work of several nuns in the barrios of Los Teques, she left Venezuela in 2015 to become a citizen of the world. A true "Caminante".

Her artistic experience began in the 2000s in Venezuela, where she studied sculpture at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Caracas and participated in several group exhibitions. It was there that she discovered her passion for sculptural art, exploring the techniques and artistic expressions that would shape her future work. Her work tackles themes of identity, freedom, and the human condition. Her art is therefore the result of deep reflection and an artistic commitment to beauty and truth.

MACAM is located in Alita, Jbeil, and operates by appointment only from Friday to Sunday between 10 AM and 4 PM. For inquiries or to schedule a visit, you can contact them at +961 79 15 79 18 or follow them on Instagram @macamlebanon.