“Heart on Stage” – Luiz Risi and Leena Yliportimo
5 March 2011 – 24 April 2011
ABC Treehouse
Brazilian Luiz Risi made a move to Helsinki in 2007 where he met and worked with Finnish local Leena Yliportimo. The couple moved to Amsterdam in 2008, and later the next year decided to collaborate on a personal level, launching the “Heart on Stage” art project in mid September of 2009.
Described as “Illustrative Poetry”, the project was launched online on Cargo, an invitation only platform for the global artistic community to showcase portfolios and ongoing work, and also allowing like minded folk to follow each other.
From a carefully selected sample of Leena’s 400 existing poetry works, the duo co-concepted illustrative representations of the words, with Luiz combining traditional and digital illustrative techniques to create the final visual poetry boards.
Leena’s short and snappy verses of haiku-esque lines mash figurative and literal imagery of bittersweet tensions in union, abandonment, confidence and identity. Meanwhile Luiz’s images sync icons of film, myths, legends and modern culture into moody, textured graphics.
Together they create a medley of pop poetry surrealism.
Works were updated on the site every 3 weeks, and after receiving overwhelming support from other artists and creatives worldwide, Luiz and Leena took the next step by launching the project into fine tangible prints, with print embellishments such as embossing, and foil details.
Participants in the American Book Centre’s Urban Arts Festival in 2010, the pair have collaborated with street art heavyweights, The London Police, and other visual artists such as UK based illustrator, Marie-Louise Plum.
“Heart on Stage” is currently exhibiting at the ABC treehouse until April 24, with the project book due for release shortly.
Images courtesy of Luiz Risi and Leena Yliportimo.
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Luiz Risi and Leena Yliportimo
heartonstage@gmail.com
www.heartonstage.com
ABC Treehouse
Voetboogstraat 11
Spui
020 423 0967
www.treehouse.abc.nl/
Trams: 1, 2, 5 to Spui