About the Color Group/CAPC Intervention Group 1976/78

The CAPC Intervention Group is in fact one of the strongest protagonists of the heroic history of the CAPC of the 70's. Its performative attitude led it to be better known as Grupo Cores, especially after actions such as the one carried out at Alternativa Zero, organized in Lisbon by Ernesto de Sousa, in 1977. Then each one wore a monochrome garment. “The whole and the part; the part and the whole”, in the expansion of pictorial art to performative action. They each defended their color as one who defends an ideology, and radically, as if it were the only one.

Based on the evocation of Grupo Cores, the CAPC has now invited more than 60 artists to present new works based on the idea of monochrome.

In the relationship between plasticity and concept, a color, from the moment it is named, brings together these two dimensions. A color as a concept is also plasticity. And in the relationship between art and thought, we are enchanted by the very plasticity of thought.

From the idea of monochrome in absolute polysemy, an exhibition emerges where small formats produce density in multiplicity and contamination.

We deny here the cautious rarefaction that often disguises itself as good taste, not exactly because of excess but because of a lot. The many that will multiply into many more in a resistant and festive CAPC, vehemently refusing to surrender.

Dear colleagues Victor Diniz, António Barros, Túlia Saldanha, Armando Azevedo, Rui Vilar, Mário Silva and other former CAPC presidents:

We return to history as a good sailor returns to his port. And this second exhibition of the new management of the CAPC, after the very brief one AT THE CAPC HEADQUARTERS — which closes today — is once again a reunion with our own history. Those who understand these two exhibitions about the past CAPC as signs of resignation and self-satisfaction in the face of the Past are mistaken. The CAPC has always positioned itself as a rebellious and good son in the face of its own history. Because the best way to celebrate it is to “move forward programming aside”.

AT THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE CAPC it was essentially a manifesto, a firm reaction to an obituary that had been mistaken.

MONO — speaking of the color group, that's it — a creative response from time to time, and the first exhibition in a cycle that begins today.

For the 2010–2011 program, we propose to program around thematic cycles. We sought to ensure that the topics were sufficiently open, both conceptually and semantically, so as to be able to absorb contributions from various disciplinary areas. Although centered on the visual arts, it seeks to involve the practice of university disciplinary reflection in the programming activity of the CAPC, inviting knowledge and contributions from multiple disciplinary areas.

We chose the theme of COLORS as the central theme, so they have the possibility of semantic appropriation to an infinite number of disciplines and readings.

For this year we will program around Negro. In an utterly foolish universe, we propose the Negro as a redemptive possibility, with direct contributions from the areas of literature, science, cinema, theater, enrolled in the plastic areas.

I'm not sure, comrades, if that's what they would do today in my place. But that is hardly relevant. For my own sake, I will continue to carry our boat as I know best, based on your legacy.

Which is no longer a small thing.

Greetings,
Carlos Antunes, October 16, 2010