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Thursday, 29 January 2026, at 7 pmTalk: A cosmic vision of late capitalism by Joël Vacheron + Film: Magic Sun, by Phill Niblock
For Aníbal Quijano, “nothing is less rational, finally, than the pretension that a specific cosmic vision of a particular ethnicity should be taken as universal rationality.”
Along the same lines, Joël Vacheron argues that space exploration has universalized a vision of the Earth and the cosmos that is not shared universally. Like the first transatlantic journeys, the invention of the steam engine, and the conquest of the West, the material exploration and exploitation of outer space have always been historically framed in narratives presenting them as a natural expansion led by a minority on behalf of all humankind. By inviting us to “unsee” a selection of images produced in the context of the American space program, this presentation explains why this cosmovision was decisive in the widespread adoption of a worldview that perpetuates coloniality in the postcolonial world.
The session will also feature a screening of Phill Niblock's film ‘Magic Sun’ (1966-1968).
Composer, photographer, and filmmaker Phill Niblock’s experimental film features a soundtrack by bandleader and visionary Sun Ra and members of his Solar Arkestra, incorporating rare moving images of the ensemble in the mid-1960s, when the Arkestra was based in New York. The black-and-white film was created using a distinctive negative process and ultra-tight close-ups of the musicians’ hands and mouths, growing increasingly frenetic as the images fluidly shift from negative to positive. The result is a nearly abstract music film, edited with meticulous precision, underscoring the autonomy of image and sound—save for one singular, magical moment of synchronization at the film’s conclusion.Venue: Auditório da Biblioteca Municipal Almeida Garrett.
Language: English.
Admission is free.
Joël Vacheron is a sociologist and writer based in Lisbon. He is a senior lecturer and research fellow at the ECAL (Universtiy of art and Design Lausanne / HES-SO) in Lausanne where he teaches visual anthropology and media studies. He is co-founder of the Centre Culturel Afropea and the author of “Cosmovisions : une étude visuelle de l’exploration spatiale” (Métis Presses, 2025)
Phill Niblock, "Magic Sun" (1966–1968)17 min, 4:3 format.16mm transferred to digital file, high contrast black & white, sound -
Saturday, 31 January 2026, at 11 am at FMP
Active Listening with Kalaf Epalanga
Every month, Fonoteca Municipal do Porto organises an Active Listening session. During these sessions, a guest is challenged to select one or more records from the collection for a shared listening experience. This January, the host will be Angolan musician and writer Kalaf Epalanga, in partnership with the Galeria Municipal do Porto as part of the public programme of the ‘Recursions: a cartography of unfinished territories' exhibition.Venue: Fonoteca Municipal do Porto (R. de Pinto Bessa 122 Armazém 12, 4300-427 Porto)
Free admission -
Saturday, 31 January 2026, at 3 pm
Presentation of the Anti-Racist Handbook for Arts and Education. with UNA – União Negra das Artes [Black Union for the Arts]
The Anti-Racist Handbook for the Arts and Education arose in response to the need to challenge thinking and practices in the fields of art and education. In this session, Dori Nigro and Raquel Lima from UNA - União Negra das Artes collective Black will share with the audience their ongoing process of creating this handbook. Above all, it seeks to be a hopeful, anti-racist and critical resource that builds bridges between art and education.Dori Nigro is a creator, performer, arts educator and researcher who studied at the Faculty of Fine Arts at the University of Porto and the College of Arts at the University of Coimbra. Since 2007, he has dedicated himself to interdisciplinary artistic practices. He holds a PhD, a Master's degree and a specialisation in contemporary art, artistic practices, and art and education. He also has a degree in pedagogy and a bachelor's degree in social communication and photography. He divides his time between Portugal and Brazil, where he promotes collaborative activities with local artists and communities. Alongside Paulo Pinto, he runs LÁRoyé, a house and studio dedicated to emotional, creative and ancestral sharing. There, they develop research and creations in the fields of artistic practice and art/education. He is also a member of the Black Arts Union (UNA).
Raquel Lima is a poet, art educator, performer, essayist and transdisciplinary artist. She has a degree in Artistic Studies (Performing Arts) and is a PhD researcher in Postcolonial Studies. Her particular interests include oral tradition, intergenerational memory, Afro-diasporic movements, and contemporary practices of escapism, abstraction, and healing. She has presented her academic and artistic work in several countries, notably at the Venice and São Paulo Biennials. Bantumen magazine has elected her as one of the 100 most influential black personalities in the Portuguese-speaking world, and she has co-founded the cultural association União Negra das Artes (UNA).
The União Negra das Artes (Black Arts Union) is a cultural association that emerged from the anti-racist movement and affirmation of Black identity in Portugal. It emphasises the various manifestations and debates surrounding the demand for human rights, decolonisation of knowledge and appreciation of the artistic and cultural legacy of Black people. Founded in April 2021, the association was established in response to the need for a structure that defends the specific interests of black people in the cultural sector. This is due to the historical continuities of colonial racism that maintain deep asymmetries and hinder creation, enjoyment, access, production, programming, and consequently, black representation in the arts sector in Portugal. The association's main objectives are to promote, elevate and strengthen black representation in the Portuguese arts, and to recognise and value the intangible heritage of black people in Portugal. The association aims to contribute to the development of reparative policies and affirmative action measures in the arts and culture in collaboration with artists, social movements, and public and private entities.
Free admission
Photo by Joni Ricos -
Saturday, 7 February, from 10 am to 5 pm
Seminar: Inside and outside school - thinking about education and art based on Elvira Leite
The meeting, Inside and outside school, organised by Amanda Midori and Matilde Seabra, offers insights into the reflections of different generations influenced by Elvira Leite's work, thoughts, and approach to the various educational contexts she was involved in throughout her long career. The aim of the day is to understand, through dialogue, the strength of her contribution to the development of individuals working in arts and education today, and to open up ways of rethinking our own current practices.
In the morning, Joaquim Azevedo and Milice Ribeiro dos Santos, who worked with Elvira Leite, will discuss the country's educational policies, including teacher training, the introduction of the Project Methodology in state schools and the development of vocational course curricula in the 1980s and 1990s. Maria João Vicente, an actress, playwright and teacher, will then share her experiences of everyday school life based on her time as a student at the Rodrigues de Freitas School.
In the afternoon, Sofia Victorino will talk about her decade-long collaboration with Elvira Leite in coordinating the Educational Service of the Serralves Foundation (2002–2011). Cat Martins, who coordinates the PhD in Art Education and conducts research at i2ADS on the history of art education and childhood creativity in Portugal, will also speak. The Escola Imaxinada, founded by artists Salvador Cidrás and Vicente Blanco, will present its educational project for children in the fields of art, architecture, and philosophy. Based at the Faculty of Teacher Training in Lugo, the project operates in a network of public schools in Galicia.
To end the day, before the final visit to the show 'earning to Teach, Teaching to Learn with Elvira Leite, BOA arts collective team will present the activities developed during The Space in Between workshops, which took place at GMP between December and January.
All information about the seminar is available here [PT].
Venue: BMAG Auditorium
Language: Portuguese
Free participation, open to the general public, with registration via email at galeriamunicipal@agoraporto.pt.
- Teachers will receive National Arts Plan certification.- Certificate of participation in the seminar for all other attendees. -
7 February, 2026
Guided tours of the three exhibitions
On this Saturday, there will be a guided tour of the exhibitions on display at Galeria Municipal do Porto:State of spirit, by Mariana Caló e Francisco QueimadelaRecursions: a cartography of unfinished grounds, by Kiluanji Kia Henda, com Flávio Cardoso, Lilianne Kiame, Raul Jorge GourgelLearning to teach, teaching to learn, by Elvira Leite3:00 pm: Tour in Portuguese4:00 pm: Tour in English
Admission is free -
Saturday, 14 February 2026, at 5 pm
Dj set by Nazar
To mark the final weekend of the ‘Recursions: a cartography of unfinished territories exhibition, Galeria Municipal do Porto will host a DJ set by Nazar.
Born in Angola but raised in Belgium, Nazar returned to his homeland after the civil war ended in 2002. It was at this point he began music production, making his own unique take on Angola’s Kuduro music, which he calls 'Rough Kuduro'. Now based in Manchester, his musical world centers around the extreme violence, injustice and omnipresence of a repressive state during and after the 27-year Angolan civil war, while exploring hope, resilience and pride in a country torn apart by conflict.
Free admission
Photo by Marieke Bosma -
Ongoing
Exodus for Schools
To participate in the Exodus, all interested groups can register through the email galeriamunicipal@agoraporto.pt.All routes are carried out on foot.Meeting point to be defined.
Thursday and Friday, 10am-1pm and 2pm-6pm. Duration: 120min -
Visitas-Pavão to the Exhibitions
Visitas-Pavão to the Exhibitions
To participate in the Visitas-Pavão, all interested groups can register through the email galeriamunicipal@agoraporto.pt.Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, from 10 am to 1 pm and from 2 pm to 6 pm.Duration: 90 min.
