Horacio D´Alessandro, iluminador de caminos

Horacio D’Alessandro, an artist with a long and distinguished career , is one of ProyectArte’s 2009 faculty members.

The following is a conversation between Horacio D’Alessandro and Matías Prensa, one of ProyectArte’s current students.

MP: How did you get involved with Proyectarte?
HD: I was invited by one of my former students from Pueyrredón [art school], Luciana Marino [who is now Coordinator of ProyectArte’s programs]. Since she already knew me she invited me to come and take part for which I am now very grateful.
MP: How would you describe your method of teaching?
HD: My method of teaching tends to be one that is not projective but rather comes from each one of the students; that is how you maintain diversity within a group. To achieve this I have to maintain a constant presence and encourage each student to focus on their own vision. That is how through interaction with one another we all grow. In my approach to teaching building a sense of harmony within the group is extremely important; ensuring that students get on well with each other. I am quite close to the students and I think this gives them the sense of security they need to forge a friendly environment.
MP: What are your aims for this group of students?
HD: My main objective is that they all manage to become artists, good artists. And that they also work hard.
MP: What do you think about ProyectArte’s focus on creating links between these young students and well-known artists?
HD: I think it is an excellent idea. If the student were forced to establish such links on their own, outside of ProyectArte, it would be extremely difficult for them. They would not know who to choose or access them.
MP: How do you see the current students of ProyectArte continuing this experience?
HD: I imagine there is a lot more to come. It’s important to note that we have not lost any students this year, those students who started with us almost a year ago are the same students we have today. I think this is to everybody’s merit. I try to adopt the role of coordinator, somebody who can help guide them on their way. I do not want to be a know-it-all, rather I want each one to make his or her own discoveries.

Horacio D’Alessandro is a painter and art professor. Director of the Department of Museology at the Museum of Modern Art of the City of Buenos Aires. Teacher at the National School of Bellas Artes “Prilidiano Pueyrredón” and at the Escuela Superior de Bella Artes “Ernesto de la Cárcova”. He is currently leading postgraduate seminars and is the Doctoral Director at the Instituto Universitario de Arte (IUNA).