Centro Cultural São Lourenço in Almancil hosted its ‘When Art meets health and beauty’ presentation (in English), led by Dr Thomas Kaiser and Sara Spalding, on Thursday, November 21.
During the event, attended by around 30 people, Dr Kaiser discussed the points of art in hospitals, art therapy and other ways art can have an impact on human wellbeing. He also visited the works of many renowned historical figures and how they impacted the art community (including Hermann Rorschach, Vincent van Gogh and Sigmund Freud) in order to showcase how art plays a role in the world of health and beauty.
“Art, health and wellness have a very close connection,” he said. “We can benefit in many different ways from art.”
After the talk, Dr Kaiser and Sara Spalding acted out the performance titled ‘Obesity: the elephant in the corner’ written by David Ogilvie and Neil Hamlet. The piece was written to be set in the year 2055 and tackles the issue of obesity, with Dr Kaiser playing the role of Socrates and Sara Spalding of Panacea (the goddess of healing).
Appetisers, wine and a selection of healthy fruit and vegetable juices (with the three options ‘All Green’, ‘CGO’ and ‘Pure Lust’) were then served, courtesy of restaurant Pure in Quinta do Lago.
Guests were also encouraged to explore the artwork of Luís Coquenão, on show at the centre.
Tessa Schack, the centre’s director and one of the owners, said the presentation “was a success” and mirrored the efforts of the Centro Cultural São Lourenço to educate the community through art and culture.
After closing in 2013, the Centro Cultural São Lourenço officially reopened last July under the guidance of five new owners. Tessa Schack said the centre plans to host many more conferences and other cultural events in the future.
For the winter schedule, the centre will be open Mondays from 1.30pm to 5.30pm; Tuesday to Friday from 10.30am to 5.30pm; and Saturdays from 10.30am to 1pm and 3pm to 5pm. For more information about the centre and any upcoming events, contact Cristina Palma.
+351 969 291 027 and +351 289 393 386 | [email protected]
By CAMERON COBB
[email protected]
Photo: CAMERON COBB/OPEN MEDIA GROUP
