WOMART by Elbi Elem
Tortosa
7.4.2018
On April 7 of 2018, the artist Elbi Elem executed a large-format mural on the facade of the Museu del Ebre, located in the city of Tortosa. In this piece, the artist wanted to present a set of perspectives that generate optical effects that transform the notion of space. This intervention is part of the Womart project, an initiative of Rebobinart that aims to reclaim the need to recognize and make more visible the female talent in the visual arts and promote gender equality in all artistic visual disciplines. The realization of this mural has been promoted by the Xarxa Transversal with the support of the Department of Culture of the Generalitat de Catalunya.
In the video, Elbi Elem and her piece for WOMART in Tortosa: an anamorphic composition across five planes, designed to be seen from several viewpoints. «Art is a reflection of society, and society is sexist.» And a line about feminism: «Women don't want to be above men, but on a par. Its goal is to cease to exist.»
The video in text (abridged) (translated from Spanish)2 min 54 s
When it comes to creating, I draw on what I feel at that moment, and also on the materials, the places, the architecture, the landscapes, the texture, the music.
My experience as a woman artist is positive, in the sense that I do what I love and I feel I am evolving and improving in my work. The problem of inequality makes my career harder, but that is not going to stop me working. I think it is everyone's responsibility to be aware of the problem and to look for change, for equality; but it really is difficult: art is a reflection of society, and society is sexist.
Women don't want to be above men, but on a par. That is what feminism is about: its goal is to cease to exist.
I have experienced the work here differently. In some places you interact more with the people walking past, with the neighbours, and in others not so much. Things always happen, some amusing and some less so. I like working in another city: it is like changing the set every now and then.
The work I have created in Tortosa is an anamorphic composition across five planes. The intervention of geometric shapes is designed to be seen from several viewpoints, and in particular from one specific point, where the anamorphic image comes together.
If in some way my work is able to convey something, to make people question, to make them feel something, to move something inside whoever looks at it, that is the best message.
Abridged version: direct quotes are kept; repetitions, overlapping speech and passages unrelated to the project are left out.
