11.04.2026 — 18:00
Palheiro Nature Estate
Madeira, Portugal
An exclusive one-night showcase of Villa Velvet Carvalhal, a remarkable 1937 residence now coming to market with Imopalheiro, revealed to a select group of guests through a unique artistic intervention.
For this inaugural moment, the property becomes the stage for Women Under Influence, the latest solo exhibition by Madeiran artist Pedro Clode, curated by Ricardo Vieira.
More than an open house, this is an invitation to experience the home in a different light—its atmosphere, architecture, and intimate corners transformed by Clode’s haunting visual language.
The current solo exhibition by Pedro Clode — Women Under Influence — features a central element common to all the works on display. Everything is focused on the representation of women in cinema, specifically during the 1950s and 60s. The name of the exhibition itself evokes the themes explored; it is taken from the John Cassavetes film, A Woman Under the Influence (1974), which portrays the troubled daily life of a female character — played by the brilliant Gena Rowlands — who is absolutely central and pivotal to the plot.
Although Cassavetes' film is not present through the use of manipulated images, its title is highly representative of everything shown here. It refers indirectly to a vast universe of ambiguity, existential angst, vulnerability, and socio-cultural repression. In his previous solo exhibition — Silent Frames (2022) at Quinta Magnólia Cultural Centre — Clode focused on Samuel Fuller’s The Naked Kiss (1964). The choice of that film as a starting point was significant; it is a work centered solely on a female character haunted by the relentless inexorability of the past.
In this exhibition, Clode multiplies that approach, citing several films. He utilizes direct references to Douglas Gordon and Gerhard Richter in his manipulative treatment of the filmic referent. For this project at Villa Velvet Carvalhal, he returns to a process he has used before: the "usurping appropriation" of film stills. His selection was specific, ranging from Douglas Sirk, Mark Robson, and David Lean to, inevitably, Alfred Hitchcock and J. Lee Thompson.
These enlarged film stills have been blurred, acquiring a disturbing, ambiguous, and undefined atmosphere. It is clear that we are witnessing a direct citation of a specific period in the work of Gerhard Richter (the so-called Photo Paintings, in which he employed a technical "softening blur"). While Richter painted blurred images, Pedro Clode does the opposite: he starts with sharp images — in this case, film frames — to finally blur them.
Within this selection of films, one stands out: Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo (1958). In one of the rooms of the house, a sequence is projected in a loop in ultra-slow motion. In 2022, Clode performed a similar feat with an excerpt of a shot/reverse-shot sequence (subjected to a subversion of editing) from the aforementioned Fuller film. Regarding this ultra-slow-motion artifice, it is necessary to mention the influence of Douglas Gordon's famous work, 24 Hour Psycho. In that project, Gordon presents a 24-hour-long, silent version of Hitchcock’s Psycho (1960). The mechanisms of perceiving reality, such as memory and time, are themes of deep research for the renowned British artist.
Here at Villa Velvet Carvalhal, instead of Psycho, we have Vertigo. Instead of Richter and Gordon, we have... Pedro Clode. The strategy and form persist. In the sequence of blurred images discovered along the walls of the house, there is a common denominator: the female character and cinema. In this journey of discovery through the vastness of the mansion, we are inescapably struck by feelings of disturbing restlessness, despair, and melancholy. We become entangled in a subtle, dark, and somewhat sinister web. Inexorably, the images on the walls challenge us, subjugating us through both their aesthetic appeal and a haunting sense of unease.
About the Property — Villa Velvet Carvalhal (Now listed for sale exclusively with ImoPalheiro). Originally part of the 1937 Matriz, Villa Velvet Carvalhal is a rare and impeccably preserved historic residence set in the heart of the city. With three floors, a T4 layout, and a generous plot of 478 m², the property offers a gross construction area of 354 m², combining the elegance of its era with refined contemporary upgrades.
This whimsical and luxurious home has been maintained with exceptional care and features:
• A gourmet SMEG-equipped kitchen
• French-designed bathrooms with exquisite detail
• Generous living spaces bathed in natural light
• A charming romantic lookout on the top floor, offering serene views over the neighborhood
• High-quality finishings that celebrate both history and comfort
Its central location, architectural character, and atmospheric interiors make Villa Velvet Carvalhal a rare opportunity—one where heritage meets modern sensibility.
Tonight, illuminated through the ghostly movement of Clode’s cinematic universe, the house reveals yet another of its many personalities: intimate, enigmatic, and profoundly elegant.
The property is available for sale. Price upon request.
For more information or to arrange a private viewing, contact:
Emma Farrow
Real Estate Advisor
ImoPalheiro Lda. — AMI 9458
+351 930 420 714
www.imopalheiro.com
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
About the Exhibition
Women Under Influence explores the portrayal of women in mid-20th-century cinema through a deeply atmospheric and conceptual approach. Drawing on references from iconic filmmakers and visual artists, Pedro Clode creates a layered dialogue between film, memory, and perception.
His distinctive process—transforming cinematic stills into blurred, ambiguous compositions—invites viewers into a space of emotional tension and introspection. Themes of vulnerability, identity, and psychological complexity unfold throughout the house, turning each room into part of a broader narrative experience.
About the Property
Villa Velvet Carvalhal is a rare example of preserved historic architecture thoughtfully updated for contemporary living. Its spatial generosity, refined finishes, and intimate details make it both a luxurious residence and a culturally significant space.
Blending heritage with modern comfort, the property offers a unique lifestyle opportunity in one of Madeira’s most desirable settings.
Event Details
Location: Villa Velvet Carvalhal, Palheiro Nature Estate, Madeira, Portugal
Date: 11 April 2026
Time: From 18:00
Contact Details
Emma Farrow
Real Estate Advisor
ImoPalheiro Lda. — AMI 9458
+351 930 420 714
www.imopalheiro.com
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
