The Fortress of São João do Pico opens this Wednesday, the 22nd of April, at 16:30, with the ‘WA’ exhibition by Japanese artist Hanamaro Chaki. The opening session will be attended by the Regional Secretary for Tourism, Environment, and Culture, Eduardo Jesus.
The exhibition takes place in the temporary exhibition room of the cultural space, under the tutelage of the Regional Secretariat for Tourism, Environment and Culture, through the Regional Directorate for Culture. The exhibition is based on a short film with the same name, previously presented at the Casa da Cultura de Santa Cruz, as part of the exhibition ‘Voices of the Invisible.’ ‘
‘WA’, a Japanese term that refers to ideas of harmony, cycle, dialogue, and circularity, articulates different artistic languages. The project combines 2D drawing and animation, developed in collaboration with animator Laura Andrade, with music composed by Pedro Pestana. The piece integrates ambient music inspired by the sea and experimental sound elements that accompany the visual narrative.
“I wanted to create a short film that didn’t rely on language. The project emerged from a blend of disciplines, where my drawings came to life through frame-by-frame 2D animation, in technical collaboration with animator Laura Andrade. Bringing the drawings to motion added new expressions and effects, giving the narrative depth and dynamics that moved beyond static frames, with greater fluidity, rhythm, and intentionality. The musical collaboration with Pedro Pestana brought yet another layer, as I shared with him the theme, content, and ideas for onomatopoeias and sounds, but the composition was shaped mostly by his interpretation. He crafted a score that evokes the sea, with experimental sounds that interact with the actions in each scene. In this way, imagery and movement merged into an ever-expanding universe of my work.” Hanamaro Chaki
According to the Regional Secretary, the initiative is part of the strategy to promote a diversified cultural offer, reinforcing the role of the Fortress of São João do Pico as a space for hosting contemporary projects and intercultural dialogue.
Born in Tokyo, Hanamaro Chaki graduated in Fine Arts from the University of Brighton in the United Kingdom. Throughout his career, he has lived in cities such as Barcelona and Mexico, residing since 2015 on the island of Madeira, where he continues to develop his artistic work.
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