The MALI, Lima's Museum of Art, will showcase a retrospective exhibition on renowned Peruvian artist Fernando de Szyszlo opening today, on his 86th birthday. The exhibition will bring together almost one hundred of Szyszlo's paintings, etchings, sculptures and items from his personal collection. 

The MALI is located on Paseo Colon 125, Lima. Entrance through the Parque de la Exposicion. 

Hours: Tuesday - Sunday 10am-8pm; Saturdays 10am-5pm. Admission: S/. 6 minimum; suggested, S/. 12 students, children and elderly S/. 4, Sundays S/. 1. 

For more information, visit: MALI.pe 

 

Peruvian President Alan Garcia Perez will open the exhibit tonight at 8pm in the museum located in Lima's historic center.

For this special exhibit, the museum developed audio and visual guides for mobile devices (tablets, MP3 players, cell phones and Androids, etc.) letting visitors access the complimentary information and also share it through Facebook or Twitter

 

 Interview:

 

How do you look back on life at your age?

With terrible nostalgia. My future is my present. I don't dare accept an exhibit within a year from now because I don't know if I'll be here. On July 5, I will be 86 years old and the MALI will open a retrospective exhibit, I expect to be there. That will be a great birthday present. 

The best thing is your lucidity and sense of humor. In what ways does life fail you?

You will experiment this eventually, the body is a docile tool in youth, but when you get older the body begins to dominate you, you can't run up the stairs, for example, it takes me some time. 

What do you feel now when you look at your paintings?

I have a bad relationship with them because I see their defects. Guards had to detain Pierre Bonard, a painter who used to go with his brush to the museums to retouch his paintings. One never stops believing on improving.

Have you ever felt like Bonard?

All the time, I always feel it could have been better. 

What should I say about you? How should I describe you?

I always wanted to be an honest person and I can't betray myself now. Being honest is within everyone's reach. I did what I could, I wanted more, but did what I could.

Tell me something, why is art nor beauty a part of political discourse?

Art implies interest, one of the meanings of the word art is making people aware of their own greatness they ignore. When one hasn't listened to Beethoven and they first discover it, they're discovering a worldview they didn't know they had. When you read Tolstoy's "War and Peace" you are enriched, you become more complete. Fortunately, art is now within reach of everyone thanks to the internet. Reading has no match. 

What do you ask from the next president in the field of arts? 

I will be ignored, but it's about time to firmly help filmmakers, book editors, visual artists. Theaters should be made in provinces. We must be patient but we must help cultivate the spirit. People who appreciate art are enriched, discovering beauty always changes you. 

Can you tell me what your message is to Peruvians? 

We must have faith, Peru will improve, we mustn't stop working, our country is too great to abandon it.

 

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