João Laia

João Laia (Lisbon) is a writer and curator with a background in social sciences, film theory and contemporary art. His research focus is on the relation between contemporary pop/mainstream culture and larger historical, social and political contexts. His practice aims at creating situations where stable frames of understanding might be questioned and re-created. His proposals examine the relation between form and content in exhibition making. This has led to an engagement with practices that take into account the social and symbolical dynamics inhabiting that location. Past collaborations: BES Arte e Finança in Lisbon, CCCB – Center for Contemporary Culture of Barcelona, Waterpieces Festival in Riga, Moderna Museet in Stockholm, The Delfina Foundation, South London Gallery, Cell Project Space, The Mews and Whitechapel Gallery in London. With Rosa Lléo, he co-founded The Green Parrot in Barcelona, dedicated to contemporary art practices. He is a member of the curatorial team of Videobrasil (19th edition) a contemporary art festival dedicated to the Global South taking place from October to December 2015 in São Paulo.