Westland Place Studios

The Beauty and the Horror of Madness

VivArtista is an artist platform sharing knowledge and practices in the field of theatre and performance between Brazil and Europe.  They are artists and producers with a passion for bringing undiscovered Brazilian practices (focusing on the field of applied Theatre arts) over to Europe. This open event introduces a Brazilian approach at the crossroads between health and culture and celebrates the UK visit of VivArtista Brazilian Partner Vitor Pordeus - Medic, dramatist and co-founder of the 'Hotel and Spa of Madness' in Rio de Janeiro.

6pm – Onwards: Photography Exhibition: ‘The beauty and the horror of madness’ Through our visual archive, we invite you to discover the ‘Hotel and Spa of Madness’ - a unique cultural centre based within the walls of a psychiatric hospice in Rio de Janeiro.

7 – 7.15pm: Introductory speech by our Brazilian guest Vitor Pordeus. A pilot project supported by Rio’s Council for Health and Culture. He will share his experiences of transforming a run down floor of the oldest Psychiatric hospice in Rio into a unique space that allows patients to take an active role in their own remission.

7.30 – 8.30pm: ‘Mad hatter’s Tea Party’ An opportunity to discuss and share experiences as well as fuel new ideas between Vitor Pordeus and a panel of London based professionals within the fields of health and engaged theatre practices.

8.30 – 9pm: Final Sharing A synthesis of ideas generated during the tea party in order to identify key creative ‘methods’ that our discussion has proved effective within the field of health care.

Thursday 1st May 2014, 6:00pm - 9:00pm.

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