The Fundação Oriente Museum is housed in the Pedro Álvares Cabral building, on Avenida de Brasília, in Alcântara, Lisbon, in a port construction from the early forties of the 19th century. XX, being the former warehouses of the Cod Commerce Regulatory Commission, designed by the architect João Simões Antunes, under the supervision of the Administration of the Port of Lisbon and classified as Municipal Heritage. It was intended for the storage of cod. With a large surface and six floors high, with a scale and volume that dominate the port area of Alcantara, characterized by its elementary nature and the almost total absence of windows, depending on the storage for which it was designed. It is arranged longitudinally and symmetrically centered on a central body, flanked by two slightly lower wings. It has two bas-reliefs by the sculptor Barata Feyo on the north elevation. Inside, the dense and obsessive structure of robust square-shaped pillars, which extends along the surface of the various floors, and the reduced and limiting ceiling height that they present stand out. Inside, the dense structure of robust square pillars stands out, extending along the surface of the various floors and the reduced and limiting ceiling height that they present.
The museum brings together collections that have the Orient as their main theme, in the historical, religious, anthropological and artistic aspects.
The permanent exhibition includes 1400 pieces alluding to the Portuguese presence in Asia and 650 pieces belonging to the Kwok On collection.
The museum is the responsibility of Fundação Oriente and was inaugurated on May 8, 2008.
The current director is Maria Manuela d’Oliveira Martins.
Strangeness first and curiosity later: these were the ingredients that allowed the intercultural dialogue that gave rise to the introduction of original iconographic themes and repertoires that are reflected in the works of art present in the Portuguese Presence Exhibition in Asia. Thus, objects from India, produced from European models, but with local techniques and raw materials – to initially satisfy an ecclesiastical clientele and, later, orders from European noble and bourgeois elites – are manifested here in the liturgical implements, textiles, jewellery, furniture, ivory objects, safes, counters, revealing the symbolism and symbiosis of the two cultures. The same happened in Japan, where the contacts established between the Japanese and the first Portuguese, gave rise to a unique artistic manifestation known as “namban art” of which the screens, counters, oratories, helmet and stirrups are eloquent examples. The great fascination exercised by Chinese and Japanese cultures, since the 16th century, remained until the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, with Portuguese intellectuals Camilo Pessanha and Manuel Teixeira Gomes, who became reference figures in the art of collecting. By collecting iconic objects from these cultures – such as scroll paintings, Chinese painting albums, costumes, objects for scholars, Chinese snuff […]
Friday, from 19.00 to 20.30 Target audience M/16 years old Tenchi Tessen is an art of movement. Its purpose is to allow human beings to find harmony with themselves and with the world, between heaven (ten) and earth (chi). Created by Georges Stobbaerts, tenchi tessen can be compared to a hieratic dance, an art for the unity of the body, which is situated in the present moment, where the fan replaces the saber and confrontation gives way to conciliation. In collaboration with TenChi School TenChi International Association IN CASE OF WITHDRAWAL: There will be a refund of the total registration fee when the withdrawal is communicated up to 8 working days before the activity. After that date, reimbursement can only be considered if the place is filled or in situations of illness, accident, or other imponderables of force majeure, duly proven. If the activity does not take place due to lack of participants, or for any other reason, the registration fee will be refunded in full. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Educational Service Tel. 213 585 299 E-mail: servico.educativo@foriente.pt prices €30.00/participant/one lesson per week/month € 10.00| single class
