Promenades Enchantées à Genève

The exhibition of paintings, “Promenades Enchantées à Genève”, on show at the Cité du Temps from 25 May to 3 July 2016, is both an artistic storybook and a heart-felt thank you. Internationally renowned Colombian artist Cristina Rodriguez is presenting ten views of Geneva life to express her gratitude to the City that hosted her from 2010 to 2012. Bold snapshots of urban life, in oils on canvas, guide visitors around various landmarks, as the city moves through different seasons, as well as day and night. In the artist’s words,

“Geneva needs to be walked, it needs our time and our silence, in order for it to embrace us. This exhibition is an incredible opportunity for me to express my gratitude to this City for the warmth of its welcome.”

A true globetrotter in real and creative terms, Cristina Rodriguez was captivated by Geneva’s beauty and what she calls its “secret spaces”. Her work depicts locations, landscapes, people, birds and animals, in a colourful world that she is convinced has the power to “heal wounds and restore spirits”. The City’s essential human side finds expression through a wide variety of characters. Two lovers kiss by a wall beneath the Promenade de la Treille, a lonely skater skims across the virgin white ice in the Parc des Bastions, a dancing couple wile away the nocturnal hours and swimmers dive into the fresh blue water. There is even room for statues; Lake Geneva’s own mermaid and the protective angel playing her trumpet from the roof of the Musée d’Art et d’Histoire. Familiar scenes at the lakeside, on the river, in the streets, or in the park, all have their own stories to tell, while potentially rekindling memories for those familiar with Geneva and remind us of the stunning scenic beauty of this City, whilst single birds and animals subtly populate the portrayed environments.

Cristina Rodriguez was born in Bogotá, Colombia in 1964 and gained a BA in Fine Art from the Universidad de los Andes, in 1987. Two scholarships enabled her to continue studying painting at the Slade School of Fine Art in London from 1989 to 1991. In 1992 she received a Delfi na Studios Award that was key in the development of her artistic career in London. In the meantime Crisitina has lived in Colombia, Peru, Germany, Great Britain, the USA, Zimbabwe, Switzerland and currently resides in Portugal. An intrepid traveller, she has spent time in Finland, Russia, Turkey, Egypt, Algeria, Namibia, South Africa, Greece, Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru, Austria and Bulgaria.

Wherever she is, Cristina is committed to discovering sources of magic to inspire her largely narrative art with its intrinsic ability to convey joy and wonder. Her 30-year painting career has encompassed a long list of solo and group exhibitions in Europe, the Americas and southern Africa. Her work also has a presence in private collections in Europe, the USA, Central America, South America, Africa, Asia and Australia.

“Promenades Enchantées à Genève” by Cristina Rodriguez is showing at the Cité du Temps from 25 May to 3 July 2016. Opening hours are from 9am to 6pm and admission is free.

The Pont de la Machine is at the heart of Geneva and has been one of the City’s landmarks since the 1840s. It was originally built to supply water to new public fountains, but through the ages has become a symbol of the City’s industrial development. Since 2005 the building has been in the hands of the Swatch Group and housesthe Cité du Temps, a unique, interactive venue for permanent and guest exhibitions.