THIERRY SIMÕESMerci

“Merci” by Thierry Simões, was the exhibition that closed the first year of Sismógrafo's activities. The show was born from an observation of the artist, a situation experienced in the Lisbon subway: a woman braiding her hair. From that initial amazement, a field of possibilities opened up: an advertisement, a publication, and an installation. The idea was to invite each one, to come to Sismógrafo to make and undo their braid, repeating this everyday gesture, sometimes so unconscious, between drawings and other works.
This was also an exhibition regarding memory. Thierry Simões was present in some Sismógrafo's initiatives during 2014. His participation always brought to the centre of the debate the issue of a collective making, ie, how to build a community. To this question, essential for the work we try to build through our activities, the artist replied by using devices that enable an encounter – a lamp and a heater in winter days – a hanger with two “hoodies”, an also its own publications. In the extension of these gathering places “Merci” happens. “Thank You” is a title and a special thanks to those who purchased a publication released in the opening day of the exhibition. This word is also a courtesy of Sismógrafo towards Thierry. This is one of those artists that makes us think. That exposes our limits. This dialogue maintained for over a year allowed us to detect some of the necessary conditions for the continuation of a process that has the desire for autonomy. And it was through art making that we have met and found the solutions to these problems. That's our purpose. Merci” recalls the memory of other exhibitions held at Sismógrafo. Thierry Simões carried out a kind of archeology in the exhibition rooms where other objects used to be. He looked for the holes that were left behind, visible under the layers of paint or left uncovered by oblivion. The artist made a work of attention. A drawing exercise. Perforated papers with the blue of the sky, or of the sea. And he inscribed a thank you note, in French, in a publication. While all this happened, it was possible to hear to the chords of a Mozart concerto, the cooing of pigeons or the screeching of seagulls outside in Poveiros square. And there is someone who does and undoes a braid. Parallely to the exhibition “Merci” Thierry Simões also talked about his publications, in an informal dialogue with the participation of some of Sismógrafo's members and whoever visited the exhibition during those days.

Thierry Simões (Paris, 1968) lives and works in Lisbon. He attended the Lycée du livre and Industry graphique, at Lycée Maximilien Vox in Paris in 1987. Later, he completed the Ar.Co Course in 1990. His work was been exhibited regularly in spaces like Sismógrafo, curated by Óscar Faria, Porto (2014 and 2015); Centro de Artes José de Guimarães, curated by Nuno Faria, Guimarães (2013 and 2012); and Galeria Quadrado Azul, Lisbon and Porto. He also exhibited at institutions such as Foundation Carmona e Costa, Lisbon (2013); and the Museum of the City of Lisbon (2009).