The Cultural Work of FUNIBER and the European University of the Atlantic (UNEATLANTICO) recently celebrated the inauguration of the exhibition “The Divine Comedy” by Salvador Dalí at the Manuel E. Amador Gallery of the University of Panama (UP).
The opening event, held on October 21, was presided over by Roy Arcia, director of the gallery, and Ricardo Him, vice rector of Extension of the University of Panama, who thanked the Cultural Work for the opportunity to bring art closer to the Panamanian population. The vice rector took the opportunity to indicate that this exhibition is only the first of many activities that the university will carry out with the collaboration of FUNIBER, both culturally and academically. The exhibition will be open until November 8.
Also participating in the event was Gregorio Urriola Candanedo, director of FUNIBER Panama’s headquarters, who thanked the university and its authorities for their work, highlighting the fact that this exhibition of Dalí’s graphic work was the first action sponsored by the renewed agreement between the UP and FUNIBER. In addition, Gregorio Urriola Candanedo explained the socio-historical framework of Dalí’s collection, its vicissitudes and offered some clues about its significance within the wide-ranging work of this universal Catalan artist.
The opening ceremony was also attended by Dr. Carlos Ramos, director of Postgraduate Studies at UP, Ms. Elena González, director of the Cultural Center of Spain in Panama, Marjorhie Franco, administrative assistant at FUNIBER Panama headquarters, and Everardo Santana, cultural promoter of the gallery. Also in attendance were prominent academics, professors and students, who praised the opportunity to admire this exceptional work in the Panamanian capital.
Keynote lectures and student visits to the exhibition
Dr. Irina Nemtchenok de Ardila, a full member of the Panamanian Academy of Language, and Gregorio Urriola Candanedo presented lectures on Dante and Dalí on October 24, in a room packed with students, teachers, artists and the general public. After the lectures, a discussion was held with those present.
Dr. Irina de Ardila presented a paper on the translations of Dante Alighieri’s “The Divine Comedy” in 700 years, highlighting those that have been made in Spanish, as well as the modalities, both in prose and verse, of different lengths. The academic highlighted the difficulties involved in translating such a rich and complex poem, but also its need to broaden knowledge and aesthetic enjoyment in different languages around the world.
For his part, Professor Urriola Candanedo presented a socio-cultural framework of Dalí’s work, with special mention of the parallels between the Florentine author and the excellent Catalan painter, in his phase as an engraver and in the framework of the so-called “mystic-nuclear” stage of this brilliant surrealist, where the 100 engravings on display are an expression of enormous value and great beauty.
In addition, last October 22, students from the Interior Architecture course of the Faculty of Architecture and Design, accompanied by their professor Adolfo Ortiz, made a visit to complement their learning in Descriptive and Digital Geometry. This practical experience allowed them to observe how theoretical concepts are applied in the real world, fostering their creativity and technical skills.
During the visit, Roy Arcia, director of the gallery, welcomed the students and gave them a talk on reproduction techniques such as woodcut, lithography and serigraphy. As part of their studies, the students also explored the link between literature and design through the work of Dante Alighieri. Dante, a 14th century poet, famously wrote “The Divine Comedy,” which narrates the journey of the soul through Hell, Purgatory and Paradise in 100 cantos. His experience of exile and his deep understanding of morality and spirituality are reflected in this work, full of historical and mythological characters.