Football and art combine in Paraguay at CAF's Integration House exhibition

CAF's Integration House in Paraguay is set to unveil "Centro, cabeza, gol. La fiesta paraguaya del fútbol" on Thursday, June 4. The exhibition, curated by Damián Cabrera, delves into football's role as a cultural, community, and aesthetic force within Paraguay.

The exhibition's title references a common attacking sequence in Paraguayan football. While sometimes dismissed as unsophisticated, this strategy's successful execution is met with great enthusiasm, reflecting a perceived cunning and opportune trait in Paraguayan players.

Football's cultural significance in Paraguay is widespread, deeply rooted across the nation. Expressions of this culture flourish in both corporate and popular tournaments, from suburban and rural areas to the playful games of children in neighborhood "canchetes." These elements, including the architecture of pitches, distinct club colors, ball craftsmanship, chants, and team mascots, collectively shape football into a festive Paraguayan phenomenon.

"Centro, cabeza, gol" will showcase a variety of artistic mediums, including paintings, installations, photographs, audiovisual works, and literature. These pieces will explore football through a festive lens, acknowledging the sport's social complexities and inherent tensions. The exhibition will feature works from artisans of Areguá, Medina balls, and artists such as Jorge Sáenz, Bettina Brizuela, Mónica Matiauda, Benjazmín Ocampos, and José María Blanch, among others.