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The 8th edition of the Hall of Leisure and Fantasy (SOFA) 2016 has opened its doors, awaiting thousands of fans and curious visitors to gather around entertainment, trends, and new entrepreneurial alternatives in Latin America’s creative, artistic, and social connection industries.

With 13,000 square meters and over 300 activities, SOFA provides a space full of opportunities to enjoy free time and experience one of Colombia’s most important platforms for alternative cultural management.

More than 100 exhibitors and nearly a hundred active communities—including animatronics, cosplayers, urban athletes, K-pop dancers, Robotic People, geeks, gamers, among others—will be part of SOFA 2016. Culture, fun, and entertainment will take over 12 pavilions and open-air stages during these four unforgettable days.

Visitors will be able to enjoy:

*Circo SOFA * Cosplay Arena * Art Toys * SOFA Forest * Bubble Soccer * Cyberfest * Cosplay Parade * Photography Exhibitions * Floor Art * Flatland * Women’s Soccer * Graffiti * Adoption Campaigns * Pokemon Go * SOFA Ring, among many other events.

Special Guests:

Juandres Vera, a Mexican artist, illustrator, set designer, and “madonnaro,” is known for his 3D street art in countries like the U.S., U.K., Italy, Dubai, and Mexico. He will be at Pavilion 3, Level 2 in Corferias until October 30, where visitors can watch live chalk painting performances.

Enzo Fortuny, a renowned Mexican voice actor and director with over 25 years of experience, is known for iconic roles like the second voice of Arnold in Hey Arnold!, Drake Bell in Drake & Josh, Inuyasha, Inuzuka in Naruto, Yukito in Cardcaptor Sakura, Elijah Wood in The Lord of the Rings, and more. He will appear in the SOFA Auditorium on Sunday, October 30 at 4:30 p.m.

Romina Marroquín, Mexican voice actress and singer, is famous for voicing Princess Anna in Frozen, Giselle in Enchanted, Princess Cadence in My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Rosetta the fairy in the Tinker Bell films, and Nagisa Misumi in Pretty Cure, among others. She will appear in the SOFA Auditorium on Saturday, October 28 at 4:30 p.m. and Sunday, October 30 at 5:00 p.m.

Reika Arawaka, a cosplay queen and icon from Japan, began as an anime and manga fan and became internationally recognized through social media for the quality of her work. She’s now a global inspiration for many cosplayers. She will be present Saturday, October 29 at 6:00 p.m. in the SOFA Auditorium.

Marte García, a Mexican artist, works as a colorist for major Marvel comics including Captain America, X-Men, and Guardians of the Galaxy, and has illustrated covers for Deadpool and Spider-Man. He is brought to SOFA by Comeek, an online comic and collectibles store, and will be in Pavilion 8, Level 1 until October 30.

Anna Frants, a renowned new media artist whose work has been exhibited at top international biennials such as Venice, Moscow, and St. Petersburg. She is co-founder of CYLAND Media Art Lab. Her interactive 3D work is on display in Pavilion 8, Level 1 until October 30.

Jours de Papier (Paper Days), what started as a fun exchange between two lovers in 2012 has become a digital hit across Latin America with thousands of followers and nearly 300,000 daily website visits. Created by Mexicans Tania Camacho and Esteban Martínez, they’ll be among the international guests in Pavilion 8, Level 1 until October 30.

From Argentina, renowned juggler Gonzalo Purvis and Mara will showcase their artistic act and teach visitors the art of juggling in Pavilion 3, Level 2, from October 27 to 30.

by Esneyder Negrete

Confidencial Noticias October 28, 2016

From North to South, from Lazio to Veneto, a month filled with public art festivals and outdoor performances in unconventional settings. A calendar of events, all with free admission.

Outside of museums, in the streets, among alleyways, outdoors or indoors in repurposed buildings. Throughout the month of September, from the north to the south of Italy, there are several noteworthy events featuring non-institutional art festivals and exhibitions. These are deserving of attention not only for the dedication and expertise of the artists and curators involved, but also for their openness to public participation—an approach that should also be understood as a means of economic, cultural, and social development for the local area.

It all kicks off on September 1 with the biennial environmental art festival “Seminaria Sogninterra,” now in its fourth edition. It runs for just three days (ending on September 3) in Maranola, a name that might evoke the Cinque Terre, but in this case refers to a medieval village near Formia (in the province of Latina), overlooking the Gulf of Gaeta. There, the residents and volunteers have opened their homes and taken part in the realization of Seminaria. The festival, directed by Isabella Indolfi and Marianna Fazzico, features 12 artists from across Italy and abroad, who will present their works along a one-kilometer exhibition route, following the chosen theme for this edition: “1:1 scale,” indicating the relationship between the artworks and reality. The audience will see life-sized installations, sculptures, as well as relational and multimedia works by artists Emanuela Ascari, Laura Cionci, Alexandra Dementieva, Davide Dormino, Anna Frants, Alexei Kostroma, Giacomo Lion, Aurora Meccanica, Gino Sabatini Odoardi, Stalker, Saverio Todaro, and Delphine Valli.

Next, from September 3rd, in Marina di Ginosa, Puglia, the “Happening” festival takes place, offering a month of performances, actions, and contemporary art installations in makeshift structures such as “beach huts,” as well as in historic places like the Antiquarium of Metaponto, which will host an exhibition and the closing event at the end of September. The event, involving Italian artists Alessia Armeni, Andrea Aversa, Davide Cascio, Jok?bas ?ižikas, Linda Cuglia, Brynjar Helgason, Daniel Kemeny, Valentina Sartori, and other artists from the Pietra Paola residency, is entirely free and organized by artist Linda Cuglia with the patronage of the Soprintendenza Archeologica della Basilicata.

From September 7th to 11th, “Electro Camp” takes place in Veneto, with the promotion and organization of the cultural association Live Arts Cultures. This is an experimental platform dedicated to new contributions in performing arts. The event, now in its fourth edition, will take place at Forte Marghera in Venice-Mestre, focusing on sound-movement research.

Performing arts are also at the center of the “Habitat, Scenari Possibili” exhibition, scheduled from September 10th to October 2nd at Naviglio Martesana (Milan) in seven natural locations. The initiative, organized by Ilinxarium, curated by Nicolas Ceruti, and promoted by Regione Lombardia, is part of Ecoismi, an international contemporary art event exploring the relationship between art, humans, and nature. Habitat features four weekends open to everyone, with performances, talks, and dialogues with artists and experts. The program includes various events like walking and cycling tours and aperitifs on contemporary art topics with critics and artists, in locations affected by the installations, such as Vimodrone, Vaprio d’Adda, Cassano d’Adda, Inzago, Cernusco sul Naviglio, Cassina de’ Pecchi, and Parco Adda Nord.

At the end of September, the Livenel festival will be held for the first time, from September 23rd to 25th, at the former Enel offices in Piacenza. Livenel focuses on research and experimentation in visual arts, highlighting the work of young performers.

by Valentina Bernabei

La Repubblica August 31, 2016

VENICE – Art once again takes over the night on Saturday, June 20, for the fifth edition of Art Night Venezia, the event conceived and coordinated by Ca’ Foscari University of Venice in collaboration with the City of Venice, and now part of the official calendar of European Art Nights.

This year, the entire city will come alive along its alleys and small squares with special late-night openings of museums, foundations, galleries, bookstores, institutions, and cultural associations. 87 cultural venues will participate, with hundreds of events scheduled, including at Palazzo Grassi, Punta della Dogana, the Civic Museums, Casa dei Tre Oci, and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection.

A perfect opportunity to discover or rediscover the city and its countless treasures—enjoy a stroll along the canals, visit palaces and museums, and take part in the many activities and initiatives offered by the Night.

Main event of Art Night:
At 10:30 PM in the courtyard of Ca’ Foscari, a performance by Sicilian actress and author Teresa Mannino, “Rib rid roìd: A Sea Voyage”. Accompanied by Gli Impresari, Arazzi Laptop Ensemble, and Ensemble Elettrofoscari, she will read Book XII of the Odyssey – The Sirens, Scylla and Charybdis.

The official opening will take place at 6:00 PM in the courtyard of Ca’ Foscari, with Rector Michele Bugliesi and representatives from participating institutions, along with free giveaway items.

From the historic center to the islands, the whole night will be filled with art. At Art Night, anything is possible—there’s something for every curiosity, interest, and age.

Art foundations and city museums will open to offer access to some of the world’s most important art collections. Bookstores will host events and exhibitions, galleries will open their current shows, and visitors can enjoy guided tours of theaters and of Ca’ Dolfin, a 16th-century palace and Ca’ Foscari venue. There will also be numerous creative workshops and activities for children throughout the city. Music events and performances will take place at multiple venues in the historic center.

Even the islands will join in, with special events on Torcello, San Giorgio Maggiore, and San Servolo.

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Events at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice

Location: CA’ FOSCARI UNIVERSITY, Dorsoduro 3246

6:00 PM – START: Gate opens – Free giveaways
Opening ceremony with Rector Michele Bugliesi and heads of partner institutions.

“Fairy tale for Art Night” – An English-language workshop for children aged 4–10
Led by Macacotour, this workshop takes kids on a fairy tale journey. First, they’ll dress up together and then perform a fun musical in English. Reservation required: info@macacotour.com or +39 349 6600107.
Location: Ca’ Foscari Exhibition Spaces, Dorsoduro 3246 | 5:30 PM–7:30 PM

Ca’rte Lab is the logo under which Ca’ Foscari University brings together all its workshops and activities for children (ages 6–10), relating to the university’s hosted and curated exhibitions.
The method used avoids dry fact-based learning and instead promotes creative engagement with the art through interaction with the exhibited works.
The project is a collaboration between the CSAR – Center for the Study of Russian Arts, the Department of Philosophy and Cultural Heritage, and the Interdepartmental School for Cultural Heritage Conservation.
Project leads: Prof. Silvia Burini, Ph.D. Angela Bianco.

MacacoTour offers unique themed tours for young visitors, exploring a hidden and mysterious Venice, away from mass tourism.

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Open Exhibitions

“Collected Landscape” by Byoung Choon Park
Curated by Hyun Joo Choe, organized by Cené International and Infinity Art & Culture Promotion with Ca’ Foscari University.
Running from May 9 to August 30, this solo show by acclaimed South Korean artist Byoung Choon Park features around ten large works blending travel impressions, natural spectacles, Google Maps views, and cultural memories.
A 25-meter-long walkable installation with 140 landscape-themed paper scrolls hung from butcher’s hooks forms the centerpiece.
Location: Ca’ Foscari Exhibition Spaces, Dorsoduro 3246 | 6:00 PM–Midnight

“On My Way”
Curated by Silvia Burini, Giuseppe Barbieri, Anna Frants, Elena Gubanova, Natasha Kurchanova.
In collaboration with CYLAND Media Art Lab (St. Petersburg) and CSAR, Ca’ Foscari.
A group exhibition exploring survival, routine, beauty, and the extraordinary through works by notable St. Petersburg artists.
Location: CFZ Ca’ Foscari Zattere / Cultural Flow Zone, Dorsoduro 1392 | 6:00 PM–Midnight

“Grisha Bruskin – Alefbet: Alphabet of Memory”
Featuring five large tapestries and preparatory sketches, gouaches, and six paintings. The works reinterpret the Jewish traditions of the Talmud and Kabbalah in a visually striking and symbolically rich narrative.
Promoted by CSAR and curated by Giuseppe Barbieri and Silvia Burini in collaboration with Fondazione Querini Stampalia.
Location: Fondazione Querini Stampalia, Santa Maria Formosa | 6:00 PM–9:00 PM

“Grisha Bruskin – An Archaeologist’s Collection”
Collateral event of the 56th Venice Biennale.
A powerful installation exploring the ruins of ideologies through sculptures of “Soviet humanity,” buried, unearthed, and displayed as archaeological remnants.
Location: Ex-Church of Santa Caterina, Cannaregio 4941 | 6:00 PM–11:00 PM

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Installation

“Dancing Solar Flowers” by Alexandre Dang
In collaboration with Ca’ Foscari Sostenibile, this solar-powered artwork promotes renewable energy awareness and eco-friendly technologies.
Location: Ca’ Foscari Main Campus, Dorsoduro 3246 | 6:00 PM–1:00 AM

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Music

From 8:00 PM, the Ensemble Elettrofoscari will perform:
Daniele Goldoni (trumpet), Jacopo Giacomoni (alto sax), Massimiliano Cappello and Carlo Siega (electric guitars), Alberto Bettin (piano), Marco Centasso (bass), Raul Catalano (drums).
Location: Ca’ Foscari Main Campus | 8:00 PM–9:00 PM

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Performance

“Rib rid roìd: A Sea Voyage”
TERESA MANNINO
With Gli Impresari, Arazzi Laptop Ensemble, and Ensemble Elettrofoscari
10:30 PM, Main Courtyard

Teresa Mannino brings the twelfth book of the Odyssey to life—The Sirens, Scylla and Charybdis—with passion and humor, weaving in Ulisses’ journey, loves, and return to Penelope.
The performance transforms Ca’ Foscari into a mythic ship, complete with sound direction by Paolo Zavagna and earplug giveaways, echoing Ulysses’ trick to escape the Sirens. Spectators become part of the myth, caught between immersion and detachment.

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Location: CA’ DOLFIN, Dorsoduro 3825/D
Special Project – Performance/Photoshoot
“Ritratto Continuo mod.3.375.020.000” by Francesca Montinaro
A group portrait of women representing diversity, individuality, and the potential of femininity to positively shape the world’s future. Featuring archetypes like brides, nuns, door-to-door sellers, word sculptors, Muslim women—icons in uniforms.

Artribune  June 20, 2015