If you are in Lisbon at the moment then why not check out an intriguing art exhibition.

Presented by Gallery at Krypton, ‘Drawing in Space’ features the wire sculpture work of David Oliveira.

David Oliveira was born in Lisbon in 1980. He gained a degree in sculpture from the Faculty of Fine Arts at Lisbon University and since 2005 has been exhibiting his work both individually and collectively with other artists.

Oliveira’s work has featured in Arte Lisboa – a national art fair which brings together works from contemporary and modern art galleries.

Exploring the idea of line and space, Oliveira plays on optical illusion. Two dimensions become three dimensional works of wire art. His pieces evoke a sense of character just like a sketch. Fashioned only in line, the viewer fills in the space to see the character beyond.

I find his work captivating.

The exhibition ‘Desenhar no Espaço’ (Drawing in Space) runs from the 12th January until the 11th march, Gallery at Krypton on Rua da Junqueira 354, 1300-340 LISBOA. It is open Monday to Friday from 9.30am until 1pm and 2.30pm until 6pm. Entry is free.

Check out the artist’s blog to see some examples of his work or the video below.

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I was recently contacted by one of the organisers of the DISQUIET Literary Program due to be held in Lisbon next year. I am delighted to share their information regarding the event on In Love With Lisbon. This sounds to me like a terrific initiative. The atmosphere in Lisbon certainly stirs the writer within and Portugal has a wonderful history of writing talent.

Please find the press release below.

Two weeks of writing workshops and lectures and discussions on the craft of writing and Portuguese literature and culture with some of North America’s and Portugal’s finest writers, including:

Kim Addonizio
José Eduardo Agualusa
António Lobo Antunes
Junot Diaz
Brian Evenson
Nick Flynn
Frank X. Gaspar
Valter Hugo Mãe
Horacio Castellanos Moya
Josip Novakovich
José Luis Peixoto
Jacinto Lucas Pires
Patrícia Portela
Miguel Real
Patricia Reis
Luis de Sousa
Gonçalo M. Tavares
Richard Zenith
…and many others TBA

Study writing and Portuguese Literature and Culture in a unique context in one of the most mesmerizing cities in the world. Lectures in Portuguese Literature & Culture will focus on famous Lusophone literary figures as well as contemporary writing and intersections between Lusophone and Anglophone literature. Workshops in Fiction, Poetry, Nonfiction, Photography, and Writing the Luso Experience. Literary walks and tours by scholars, writers, and translators will introduce participants to the essential literary Lisbon, the City of Poets and Sailors.

Four full scholarships are available for writers and scholars of Lusophone descent, funded by the Fundação Luso-Americana. Winners will attend the ILP in 2011 in Frank Gaspar’s workshop Writing the Luso Experience. Submit: A 250-word statement about your background and what the scholarship would mean to you, and a maximum ten-page writing sample in any genre (poetry, fiction, creative/literary nonfiction, scholarly work). Deadline Jan. 31, 2011. Reading fee $20USD. See website for more details.

Writers may also enter the contest for the International Literature Award: The charge went that contemporary North American literature is too insular, that it doesn’t engage the outside world or speak to global concerns. The charge has some truth to it, and in response Dzanc Books requests your best writing with an international aspect, that somehow or other broadens the landscape of North American literature outside of the borders of North America. The winner of this multi-genre contest wins airfare, accommodations, and tuition to the ILP in Lisbon plus publication in TBA. Deadline Jan. 31, 2011. Reading fee $15USD. Entries accepted from the US and Canada in English.

For more info see the website Dzanc Books ; the Facebook group  ; or email .

Dzanc Books partners with Centro Nacional de Cultura, Fundação Luso-Americana, CETAPS-FCSH (Centre for English, Translation and Anglo-Portuguese Studies) Universidade Nova de Lisboa, and Universidade de Lisboa in the DISQUIET ILP.

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