Living in Peru : your everyday companion

Expectations are high for the 40th anniversary of any event, but they are especially high for an event like Noche de Arte which has consistently wowed audiences in the past.  Viewers might be a bit skeptical at the new location, Banco Continental, after last year’s event at the enchanting Puericultorio Perez Araníbar, but noticeable improvements and high quality artwork don’t disappoint.

Entering Noche de Arte the viewer passes in between two large cylindrical constructions displaying this year’s sponsors and highlighting sculptures already present at Banco Continental’s location. 

Invited guests were greeted by the United States Ambassador Michael McKinley, his wife and United States Embassy Association (USEA) Honorary President Fatima McKinley, USEA President Charles Roe, and Noche de Arte Director Natalia Lozada de Farías, all of whom serve to show the great collaboration that takes place to put on this event every year.

The first and second floors have been used to display most of the artwork – there are 800 works in total coming from 400 artists – with an additional tent constructed outside along with one wall displaying photographs.  The two areas are linked by a passageway, by which one must exit the first building to re-enter the second, passing live sculptures – some of whom are encouraging visitors to recycle – and performers ranging from cajón players to flamenco dancers. 

Although the general flow of the event (getting from Point A to Point B) is its greatest weakness, the set-up also has its advantages. Immediately upon entering the exhibit viewers encounter some of the best pieces of the show, giving the impression that the quality of this year’s artwork is much higher than the last.  The work throughout the exhibit is loosely grouped, showing figurative, still-life, and abstract works together.

Another advantage to this set-up is that it encourages a second, third, and even fourth walk through the exhibit, each round showing more and more little red squares indicating that pieces have sold. 

Given that the event is not only about promoting art but also about supporting Peruvian non-profit organizations, this is good news all around.  Forty percent of all proceeds are donated and USEA, who hosts Noche de Arte, is in charge of distributing these funds. 

Among projects too numerous to name, past donations have helped fund the construction of medical centers, distributed medicine to areas affected by floods and earthquakes, donated sewing machines to community centers, and given materials to schools for the deaf and the blind.  Noche de Arte not only supports artists, it helps those who need it most.