Montserrat Morales
Psychologist and specialist in education through the arts
Identity signs of the Mini Print International of Cadaqués
Many appreciations have been made about the Mini Print, emphasising what makes it relevant, interesting, singular, inspiring, sensitizing…. In this edition, and to continue amplifying perspectives, we will emphasize its educational values.
The Mini Print is an idea that emerged from the intuition and wisdom of Mercedes Barbara and the dearly missed Pascual Fort, who with hopeful anticipation, effort and constancy were imagining and nurturing the idea until they consolidated it as an original adventure which takes place every summer since 1981 in Cadaqués, expanding itineraries to other places. An artistic adventure – with cultural, social and educational roots as identity signs – where artists from around the world, well known and lesser known, share space in the Taller Galería Fort on the same level, with printmaking art as a common thread. A thread that becomes longer and stronger every year – with all its creativity and innovation – through an open, democratic and inclusive summons that encourages the artists’ participation and increases the interest and sensitization of the visitors to the artistic event.
This unique approach and the suitability of some specific elements, that according to my personal and professional experience act as mediators and acquire an educational function, are what contribute, with more or less intensity, to making a visit to the Taller Galeria Fort a pleasant, enriching and significant experience.
With these considerations we highlight some of the elements:
• The accessibility of the place, where the feeling of being welcome, recognized and valued as a visitor predisposes one to explore the works from one’s own point of view.
• The empathetic attitude of Mercedes Barberá – the soul of the Mini Print together with her family – whose affectionate smile and words that come to life with every visitor, invite those who approach for the first time as well as the regulars to come in.
• The exhibition’s structure, with the closeness of the prints, one next to the other in a homogeneous format, which even though it has a practical purpose, causes a first visual impact that stimulates curiosity and allows one to situate oneself.
In this specific framework the structure facilitates seeing the prints up close, rest one’s gaze, observe and allow oneself to be surprised, ascertain the techniques, construct meanings…. At the same time the structure also facilitates contemplating the group of prints as a mosaic of contrasts, establishing relationships, making associations, incorporating new points of view…and to reconsider, if applicable, what at first glance dazzles, is dismissed or passes unnoticed.
These experiences of interaction with the works activate perceptive, emotional and cognitive connections in the observer and favor reflection on what one sees, feels and thinks. It also makes one realize what one likes, is attracted to, or causes disquiet, moves, interests or appeals about the prints that make up the exhibition.
• The internationalization and diversity of the artists’ origin, the plurality of the creations and the multiple gazes of the visitors reinforce the interculturality, equality and respect; refine sensitivities and improve the understanding of the difference.
• The expressive force of all the prints, beyond the esthetic enjoyment that it brings, acts as a literacy tool by enriching and enlarging the visual, cultural and social imagery by favoring the familiarization with the elements that shape the language of the visual arts.
To finish, we underline the statement that shows that “Education in the arts is a necessary condition of humanity’s right to culture”. A right recognized by the CoNCA* and gathered as a declaration in the Charter from the Arts to Education (April 2022) and that the Mini Print promotes with grace and conviction from its beginnings, the result of a way of being, doing and understanding the educational value of art and culture for everyone.
Thank you Mini Print and all that make it possible, for your involvement and commitment!
(*) National Council of Culture and the Arts
Mercedes Barberà Rusiñol
Director of the Mini Print International of Cadaqués
In this year’s Mini Print International of Cadaqués a great number of international visitors have greatly valued the quality of the exhibited works which they could calmly admire, without the inconvenience of the mask. It seems that the invisible enemy has become more visible and has lost much of its influence thanks to scientific research efforts.
However, we cannot ignore the presence of the war in Ukraine. The Mini Print is a part of human history, it is not indifferent to the vicissitudes that participating artists suffer and always reflects them. We hope for better times.
Among last year’s winning artists, Kima Guitart, Mayumi Someya, Zenon Burdy, Pisarro and Julie Reid were present for their solo exhibitions and acted as jurors to select the winners of the current Mini Print. Akira Suzuki was unable to join us due to travelling problems still caused by the coronavirus at that time. All the exhibitions were admired and praised by printmaking specialists.
Parallel in time with the one in Cadaqués, the Mini Print exhibition in Wingfield Barns, England, thanks to the collaboration and promotion of our dear friend Ian Chance, is anticipated and admired by visitors and professional artists.
Following the exhibition in Cadaqués the Mini Print continues its route stopping at the Tharrats Foundation of Graphic Art in Pineda de Mar. After a year of absence its presence is expected with interest by the printmaking artists of the Maresme region and by visitors from Barcelona, due to its proximity to the capital.
The exhibition continues in Bages, France, near Narbonne, where many Europeans visit it. Its presence there during the Christmas holidays enables the visit of a large French public and much success in the press and media.
The local and national press, specifically La Vanguardia, Bon Art, Revistart, El Punt Avui, Hora Nova and Setmanari del Empordà, have disseminated the Mini Print’s different activities. We thank them for their necessary collaboration and we are especially grateful for the participation of the artists whose beautiful works collaborate in the dissemination of international printmaking. Their participation makes possible the existence of the Mini Print International of Cadaqués.
With hope…