Brazil-born, Brooklyn-based Theo Pinto is joining the venerable roster of artists who have taken over Montauk’s Surf Lodge with a waterfront site-specific installation at the hotel this summer. Curated by Jayma Cardoso, a fellow Brazilian and creative force behind the Lodge's arts programming, Pinto’s residency merges his boundary-pushing art with the Lodge's distinctive hospitality, offering a fresh, culturally rich summer getaway.
The focal point of Pinto's residency is an installation featuring a 40-foot-long lenticular wall, which shifts colors as viewers move around it, offering an ever-changing vista that mirrors the skies over Montauk. The work, part of his "Skyscape" series, explores the interplay of light and color, capturing the magic of moments when day meets night and sky meets earth. "This work invites viewers to experience the sky as a shared moment, a common denominator that unites people across time and space," Pinto explains in an artist statement. Complementing the exhibition is a limited edition surfboard, with a similar lenticular design and an ever-shifting surface that, like his paintings, is choreographed to light.
Also on view at the Surf Lodge is a selection of paintings that embody the same vibrancy and living illusion as the surfboard. Known for his innovative use of color and texture, Pinto often incorporates elements of collage and digital manipulation in his works, creating a multi-layered visual experience that engages viewers from different angles.
Like all good residencies, Pinto’s kicked off in early July with a party, featuring a meditative performance by Nākaloka, a vocalist and flautist duo, followed by a set by DJ duo Polo & Pan.
Since its inception in 2008, the Surf Lodge Residency has become a beacon of artistic innovation, integrating art with the venue’s coastal allure. Past participants include Brandon Boyd, Jen Stark and Danielle Orchard. Through blending visual artistry with the Lodge’s hospitality, the residency offers immersive, multi-sensory experiences, confirming the institution's place as an essential locale in Montauk’s vibrant cultural landscape.
