Christopher Grimes Gallery

JOÃO LOURO

2008 PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

João Louro to exhibit at CHRISTOPHER GRIMES GALLERY.

Christopher Grimes Gallery is pleased to present the second US exhibition of João Louro, one of Portugal's most important contemporary artists, as he explores the relationship between image and text, through looking at architecture and film.

For his upcoming show at Christopher Grimes Gallery, Louro will present new work utilizing architectural drawings of the sites where movies were filmed, which are presented in connection to the dialogue spoken in that location. One large-scale piece, with several panels (76” x 76” each) will represent LAX International Airport where James Bond arrives during the end of the movie “Diamonds Are Forever.” Other locations and movies Louro explores include: The Elrod House, Palm Springs, in “Diamonds are Forever;” Richard Neutra’s Lovell House, Los Angeles, in “LA Confidential;” the Libera and Malaparte House, Capri in “Le Mépris;” and John Lautner’s, Malin House, Los Angeles in “Body Double.” In many ways, Louro is casting the spectators, by presenting them with dialogue and the conceptual space to perform.

Louro studied architecture at the University of Lisbon and then, painting at the Arco School of Visual Art. He came into prominence in the Portuguese and international art scene in the 1990’s both through solo and collaborative endeavors, following the conceptual and minimalist practices of the 1970’s. Yet he defines himself in opposition to them. The result is a relationship to the finished object that goes beyond art historical references and uses language and image as his tools. He does not confine himself to a single medium; taking ideas as a starting point, he uses painting, sculpture, photography, drawing as well as film, selecting media as an architect selects the team that constructs his vision. Text also plays an integral role in his work, mainly for its ability to conjure up images in the mind of the viewer.

João Louro’s work has been the subject of solo shows at important institutions such as the Serralves Museum of Contemporary Art, Porto, (2000), and the Centro Cultural de Belem, Lisbon (2004). He has participated in numerous group shows in Portugal, France, Holland, Italy, Spain, Ireland, Brazil and the US. His work was also included in Insite 05, San Diego-Tijuana (2005), and “The Experience of Art” in the Italian Pavilion curated by Maria de Corral for the 51st Venice Biennial (2005). Currently, he is in the group exhibition, “In the Beginning,” at the University Art Gallery, University of California, San Diego, California (2008.)

For biographical information and a selection of additional images please visit our website at www.cgrimes.com or contact CHRISTOPHER GRIMES GALLERY 310-587-3373.

2008 EXHIBITION

Artist's page