https://vimeo.com/217672842

Following the exhibits Burilada — arte-factos para a sobrevivência and Almanaque — Design Gráfico Português em Revista – Design Gráfico Português em Revista (this one still patent to the public), Casa do Design, located in Matosinhos, inaugurates on May 4, around 17:00, the exhibit Discos Orfeu (1956-1983) - IMAGES/WORDS/SOUNDS, giving continuity to the investigation proposal and disclosure of the history of Portuguese Design.

Curated by José Bártolo, esad-idea’s scientific director, the exhibit displays the history of this mythic record label founded in Porto in 1956 by Arnaldo Trindade.

Beginning its activity with a phonographic edition in vinyl record of great figures from the portuguese literature, such as Miguel Torga, José Régio, Eugénio de Andrade ou Sophia de Mello Breyner, in records where the covers, created by the painter Moreira Azevedo, receive a highlighted position due to their modernism. ORFEU has soon started to assert an unique identity concerning its musical catalog, innovative and diversified, justifying the saying that flaunted for so long, Record is Culture.

Recording, on average, a record a week, the lable launched new musicians at a vertiginous rate. With ORFEU, Adriano Correia de Oliveira edited all his work and José Afonso recorded some of his best projects, such as Traz Outro Amigo Também 1970 or Cantigas do Maio (1971). Both Pano-Cru (1978) and Campolide (1979) by Sérgio Godinho or 10.000 Anos Depois entre Vénus e Marte (1978) by José Cid are intrinsically connected to ORFEU, as are the most amazing records from Fausto or Luís Cília. At ORFEU the groups Titãs and Pop Five Incorporated worked as one with the groups Maria Albertina and António Mafra, demonstrating great cultural diversity.

The exhibit appears through five main cores: No Inicio era o Verbo (1956-1959); Trovas do Vento que Passa (1960-1967); Vozes da Revolução (1968-1975); Entre Vénus e Marte (1976-1979); O Fim da Aventura (1980-1983).

The investigation work coordinated by José Bártolo, in association with Arnaldo Trindade and Noly Trindade, with the technical collaboration of João Carlos Callixto, Carlos Paes, João Pedro Rocha and Heitor Vasconcelos, allowed the reunion and presentation of the main record covers from ORFEU and of uncountable documental material (graphic, Phonographic and video), an unprecedented event. From the first contract between José Afonso and ORFEU to the originals from the final art of his record Coro dos Tribunais, many will be the documents concerning ORFEU that the visitors will have the opportunity to observe.

Being an exhibit by Casa do Design, the records’ graphic features deserve special attention (highlighting designers such as José Santa-Bárbara, Fernando Aroso, José Brandão, José Luís Tinoco or Alberto Lopes). Of all the photographers involved there should also be emphasized, among others (Eduardo Gageiro, Álvaro João, Nick Boothman, João Paulo Sotto Mayor ou Patrick Ullmann), Fernando Aroso, the photography author of hundreds of records edited with the distinctive ORFEU imprint.

Along with the exhibit, it will occur a parallel programming, with dates to announce, joining several ORFEU’s artists, collectors and musicologists.

The exhibit is organized by Matosinhos’s City Hall and by esad-idea, ESAD’s investigation center – School of Art and Design of Matosinhos.

program paralelo

Surrounding Orfeu
Cycle of conversations reuniting musicians, musicologists and designers with the purpose of sharing memories and knowledge concerning the label ORFEU and Phonographic edition in Portugal.

31.05
17:00 | Conversation
Arnaldo Trindade, Noly Trindade, Dario Alves, Jorge Cordeiro, Rodrigo Affreixo, Rui Vaz Pinto | moderated by José Bártolo

03.06
15:00 | Happening
Álvaro Azevedo (Vibraphone), Alfredo Barros (Drawing)

15:30 | Conversation
Arnaldo Trindade, Noly Trindade, David Ferreira, Álvaro Azevedo, Quim Barreiros, João Carlos Callixto, José Fortes | moderated by José Bártolo

Casa do Design in Matosinhos

https://www.flickr.com/photos/esadmatosinhos/albums/72157681436819121

Créditos