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X Contemporary Hits Wynwood For Miami Art Week 2015-Among Selected Exhibits, "Grace Hartigan 1960 -1965, the Perry Collection"

11/29/2015

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by Patrick Ogle

X Contemporary (
227-247  NW 24th St. Miami) is an art fair focused on "cross generational" curated projects. One of these will feature the work of Grace Hartigan, an abstract expressionist artist just starting to get her due.  Grace Hartigan 1960 -1965, the Perry Collection isn't the only artist being shown.

"We have three groundbreaking exhibitions that are the keystones of the fair. The Grace Hartigan work being shown by Michael Klein hasn't been seen since 1965. This will also be the first time the Colombian collective, TIMEBAG, will exhibit in the US," says Matthew Eck, director of X Contemporary.  "The third major exhibition at X Contemporary will be Hecho en Cuba, a collection of never before seen work from artists who are living and working in Cuba."

Hartigan's exhibit may, to many, be the most tantalizing.


"Hartigan is an innovator. She started her career as an Abstract Expressionist yet even then she was interested in and explored how to integrate the figure into her abstract works. She slowly evolved over the course of her career away from the Ab Ex school into figurative works that were abstractions," says MIchael Klein, curator of the exhibit. "No different really than many of the Pop artists who started with a signature style but grew, developed and evolved into a larger body of visual ideas. Think of Jasper Johns or Roy Lichtenstein. Only she and de Kooning moved beyond abstraction and explored the figure and landscape as well.”

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Klein says Hartigan's work and vision are larger than any historic style. While she is usually classified as an abstract expressionist, over the length of her career she expanded far beyond that label. He adds that this selection is an outstanding overview of the artist's work between 1960-65 which outlines her abstract expressionist style and how it led to her more figurative work in later years.

"Along with the paintings are seven collages that also demonstrate her talents as an abstract artist when it came to works on paper." says Klein.

These pieces also highlight her friendship and work with her dealer in Washington D.C., Beatrice Perry. This exhibit isn't all art history however. It is something to stir the minds and spur the careers of young artists.

"I think it is important as a role model for artists who might think that innovation has gone out of style and that they must create a formula and stick with it over their entire career." says Klein. "What  is interesting is to read Hartigan's journals and see how clearly she saw what she wanted to do as an artist as well as what she needed to do as an artist."


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Grace Hartigan and Helen Frankenthaler
Eck is the driving force behind the fair and he says he cannot explain clearly why he did put it together the way he did.

"I feel that Miami Art Week is really the pinnacle of the art world calendar -- and I had the opportunity to host my new vision.  X will be releasing our future plans early next year. It will involve traveling-- and that's all I can say," says Eck. "However, we are very happy to be in Wynwood and engaging the community and will be returning here next year."

The fair has a significant number of panels and performances for a boutique fair (and it is an eclectic mix).

"Crystal, our executive producer, put together this wonderful eclectic program. She comes from an Art History and professorial background, so our lineup comes with a strong emphasis on education," says Eck. "We are proud to offer interesting and engaging content for every fair goer. All of our performances and panel discussion  will take place in our Living Room which is inside the fair."

X Contemporary, in addition to the major exhibitions, features 27 exhibitors from South America, Europe and the United States.

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"Gustavo Pérez Monzón: Tramas" Opens December 2, 2015 At CIFO Art Space In Miami, A New Look At A Major Cuban Artist

11/25/2015

 
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by Patrick Ogle

Among the must see events during Miami Art Week is Gustavo Pérez Monzón Tramas presented by the Cisneros Fontanals Art Foundation (CIFO). This is the first
exhibition by the Cuban artist in the United States. It opens Wednesday, December 2, 2015 at CIFO's art space (1018 N. Miami Ave., Miami) This is the second time this particular exhibition has been on display.

"It is a touring exhibit it was the National Museum of Fine Art during the Havana Biennial. It is the second time it has been brought before the international public." says Eugenio Valdés Figueroa, director and chief curator of CIFO

Monzón himself stopped creating art in 1989. He left Cuban and founded a school in Morelos, Mexico. Figueroa says that Ella Cisneros found and purchased a number of pieces which is, in essence, the genesis of this exhibition.

"This is a 7 piece installation and it is really complex. It covers all the parts of his history. One of the ideas of the exhibition is that the collection is not just about having an artist represented but well articulated," says Figueroa. "...It brings connection between Gustavo and many Cuban periods."

Within this exhibit you will find spatialism, geometrism, abstract expressionism. Figueroa believes it is important to show this work to the younger Cuban generation and that this exhibit is also a bridge to learn more about artists of  Monzón's generation.

"It is difficult to find information on the artist in books." says Figueroa.

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Monnzón himself hopes that, after 20 years away from focusing on his art, this retrospective is well received.

"I see that art value scales or places are constantly being rebuilt according to the revisions of each generation. The exhibit at CIFO is an 'almost' complete look not only to all my work during the 80s, but to a complete look of a time in Cuban art that has not been fully reviewed," says Monzón. " After being away for over two decades, I hope this exhibit is well received and that a new more definite value comes out of it."

Why did he stop making art and move into teaching it?

"I am curious for new experiences and I like to focus on different things. In the end I am not really sure of what brings you to one or another experience and if one is the one that completely “decides” one’s level of participation in the events that happen in your life," says the artist. "To teach and produce artwork is something that I loved doing and I did it at the same time. With the passing of the years, I see that I have dedicated more time but I see that I have dedicated more time to working with others in formative processes than to my own artistic production. Now I feel that time to take care of my own production has arrived."

He is returning to working on his own art but he does so with the satisfaction that he contributed to the education of many young artists and, all the while, learned from the process of being a teacher.
Figueroa says that Monzón's past work has been a mix of the mystical, mathematical and emotional that was unusual in Cuba. His house became a gathering place for artists.

"After him art started to become more explosive and political. Metaphor became a form of protection in the artist's relationship with the state in the 90s," says Figueroa."In the 80s it was more romantic and naive but they still had difficulties."

CIFO was founded by Ella Cisneros in 2001 and it aims to gain visibility for Latin American Art.

"She has a very important collection, more than 2000 works. The focus is on an international audience. It is about putting the art before that audience," says Figueroa. ""The aim is education, study and conservation of the collection but there is major interest in promoting are in Latin America."

CIFO awards grants to artists but also sponsors exhibitions like this one. It is an exhibit that is unusual in Miami this time of year; it isn't about making money.

"The opening of the exhibit is in context of art week but it is not commercial at all," says Figueroa. "This is about an audience seeing this great artist's work."

Hours During Miami Art Week

Wed., December 2-- 11:30 a.m- 4:00 p.m
Thur., December 3--9:00 a.m- 4:00 p.m
**Fri., December 4 (by invitation only)
Sat., December 5--9:00 a.m- 4:00 p.m
Sun.., December 6--9:00 a.m- 4:00 p.m

Fridge Art Fair 2015 (Miami Beach) Wants You To Have Fun, Hang Around And Hopefully Take Home Some Art

11/23/2015

 
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by Patrick Ogle

The folks at Fridge Art Fair (Miami Beach) want you to have fun. Their fair is, of course, interested in selling art  but they are every bit as much about visitors seeing the art, being exposed to it, as them making a purchase. The fair is artist-run and focused on alternative art made by those nebulous “others” of the art world.

But mostly the fair is about you.


“We want everyone to feel welcome. I’ve been to fairs where I didn't feel welcome and that is a crummy feeling.” says Eric Ginsburg, founder and director of the fair. “I want to give back. I’ve been lucky in the art world.”

The playful, community oriented, “give back” approach and vibe of the fair stands in contrast to many others. This is not an indictment of anyone just evidence of the fact that to create a massively successful event like Miami’s Art Week you need fairs with a myriad of attitudes.

"I think we are all encompassing, definitely emerging artist but we have blue chip as well. We are all over the place which is what makes us different.” says Ginsburg.

Ginsburg is quick to point out that they really want emerging artists and one way they get them is by offering artist affordable rates.

“Our fees are so low they barely act to cover cost.” he says. “We want to give people a chance who cannot afford to pay $10,000 for a fair. For us it is about the experience we want people to have fun.”

Look for more on Fridge Art Fair's Artists & Galleries Soon

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Fridge Miami Beach is not the fair’s first go round.

“We have a New York fair during Frieze week. The first fair  (2013) was at Gallery OneTwentyEight, the first gallery on the lower east side.” says Ginsburg.

The first fair was an immediate success was followed by fairs in Miami in 2013 and 2014. A truly remarkable part of the fair is how it began in New York and within that same year had a fair put together in Miami. This year the fair has moved to Miami Beach.

Moving the fair to Miami in 2013 wasn’t a cakewalk. Miami is a different animal from New York. Ginsburg spent years in New York and new it well

“I know New York and I am learning Miami.” he says. “We’ve been so lucky with who we’ve worked with.”

Co-director of Fridge, Cara Hunter-Viera, is one of those bits of luck personified. Hunter-Viera, a friend from law school, has been involved since the first Fridge fair in Miami and the move to Miami Beach.

“As much as we liked being off the beaten path, a hidden little spot with an underground feeling, this year we felt the artists deserved more,” says Hunter-Viera. “ Wynwood? We felt it had been done. What they have going in Wynwood was great but not for us.”

These days she deals with finding the venue, artists and everything it takes to  put things together.  She says designing the fair is beyond her purview.

“That is very Eric. Popsicles and bounce houses? That is all Eric.” sas Hunter-Viera.

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One challenge of Miami is that, as Art Week has exploded, when people hear the word “art” they see dollar signs. Art Week in Miami has become so big that, Ginsberg says, the art world in New York shuts down that week. The week is also significant in that it highlights Miami’s style and civic involvement.

"There is a thriving art scene down here and there is a Miami look--hybrid of street art and fine art,” says Ginsburg. “I remember downtown was scary, the art district was dying district that was a little desolate.”

Ginsburg says that it is interesting that the cities involved, Miami and Miami Beach, do so much to support the fairs and support art in general. He says it is unlike anywhere else.

Hunter-Viera notes that she had no idea that the art world could be “dirty” until last year.

“We’ve had to cut ties with people who had different motivation--finances, fame...Their goals cannot jeopardise our goals with Fridge,” she says. “The people’ I’ve worked  dealt with, for the most part--99 percent...hmm let’s say 95 percent have been great. It’s been amazing working with them.”

She said the key to dealing with anything turbulent was simple; trust Eric.

Ginsburg grew up in Washington where the museums were open and everyone had free access. He lived in New York City where there is art everywhere and everyone can be exposed to it should they choose to be. Then there are the art fairs.

“Fairs and they are geared toward a certain type of person--we are too--but we want everyone to come, we are all artists, we are not doing it for money--money would be nice but it isn’t the point.” says Ginsburg. “We want to give  artists a chance--and have a boutique-ish feel for the visitors and collectors.”

And visitors come back to Fridge every year.

“There is a reason why we have so many repeat visitors. There is this feeling; people don’t walk through and are done. They want to hang around.” says Hunter-Viera.

Fridge want you to come to their fair to see the art. If you buy? Wonderful, if you don’t you will have had an important experience. Even their benefit is open to the public. Sure, the aim is to raise money but they want you there. They not only want you to breeze through, they want you to hang around.

Fridge is a less “curated” fair than many others (we didn’t get a chance to talk specifics with Fridge curator, Linda DiGusta) but there is no heavy hand regarding everything a gallery or artist puts in their booth. Fridge chooses the gallery or artist and trusts them with their booth.

“You get a booth and you can do what you want. People get a booth and they can go wild.” says Ginsburg.


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Fridge Art Fair
Holiday Inn Miami Beach, 4333 Collins Ave. Miami Beach (43rd & Collins Ave at beach boardwalk).

Hours
4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Thursday, December 3
11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Friday, December  4 and Saturday December 5
11:00 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, December 6


Fridge Events
The Fridge Art Fair Grand Fudge Pop Gala to Benefit the LGBT Visitor Center of Miami Beach
7  to 10 p.m., Thursday, December 3. Featuring An Evening with Sweetie Starring drag superstar, Sweetie. There will be a screening of the documentary, Charmed Life, in honor of  Fridge's gala hostess, Sweetie. at 1 p.m. Friday December 4 at Fridge Art Fair.


Fridge and Churchill's Pub present hot artists and performers from Miami in the Fair's sculpture garden from 3 to 6 p.m. daily. These events are supervised by Emcee "Battle Funk."

Fridge and Centre-Fuge present street artists from New York City, Miami and beyond at Miami's venerable, Churchill's Pub (5501 NE 2nd Ave, Miami).


Fridge Grand Fudge Pop Pre Party at the LGBT Visitor's Center of Miami Beach (1130 Washington Ave.). Opens 7 p.m. Wednesday, December 2.  Hosted by Churchill's the event will feature a "Miami Legend." (suggested donation $20). There will be art and the exhibit runs throughout art week.

The B.A.R.C. Project by Eric Ginsburg  
Fair director Ginsburg and many other artists paint pet portraits with proceeds benefiting the Brooklyn Animal Rescue Coalition Project. Bring in a photo and leave with a portrait of your pet, while helping B.A.R.C. save the lives of others looking for their forever homes.

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Pinta Miami Brings Latin American Art Fair To South Florida For A Second Year In 2015

11/18/2015

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by Patrick Ogle

It is hard to fathom that Art Week in Miami was without a fair broadly focused on Latin American Art until last year but until Pinta Miami opened in 2014 that was the case.


"Nobody really thought of it.” says Diego Costa Peuser, Executive Director of Pinta and a founder of the fair. Peuser is also the publisher of Arte al Día magazine. 

The fair began in New York City in 2007 and expanded to London in 2010. They feature art from the abstract, concrete, neo-concrete, kinetic and conceptual art movements in virtually every media you could imagine (excluding those with incredibly fertile imaginations perhaps). Pinta runs December 2 to 6, 2015 at Mana Wynwood.

Peuser thinks that one reason there was no specific Latin American fair is that, even in Miami, there was a lack of information. He says that Latin American Art is a different ball game, in part, because until recently interest in Latin American art was limited.

"There was a resurgence six or seven years ago when international collectors became interested,” says Peuser. “International biennials now have Latin American art curators and artists."

Column and Landscape by Carla Arocha + Stéphane Schraenen


Pinta aims to reach out to everyone who comes to Miami for Art Week. It is structured a bit differently than some other fairs; there are five distinct sections to Pinta (see below). You will see artists who are up and coming, virtually unknown and some that are famous in the region but less well known outside.

"Clearly people coming to pinta are looking to see what is new in Latin American art. What makes Pinta different, and not just for collectors but everyone, is the opportunity to see artists who are up and coming. It also gives a chance to discover new artists; collectors love to do that," he says. "Another important thing about Pinta is that it is a curated fair. We have different sections and each has its own curator who evaluates the galleries and work...it is not a free-for all."

While Miami hasn’t had fairs that include all of Latin America there have been fairs focused on specific countries or “subsections” of fairs dedicated to the region.Part of the reason behind the dearth in fairs dedicated to Latin America may be only tangentially related to art.

"Within the region Latin America art itself is different but what is common is that, until six or seven years ago there was a lack of presence internationally. Now, better marketing is bringing the art out to larger audiences." says Peuser. "There had been a lack of marketing and business impulse but as the economies have improved in Latin America people go to the area for investment. Art is always considered in that platform."

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From the series Continuo by Fernando García Correa
This year Pinta has a new location, Mana Wynwood. Mana (318 N.W. 23rd St. Miami) has a 100,000 square foot hall and facilities to host all sorts of events.

"Mana, in Wynwood, is a very interesting space. Pinta is just one of the projects they will be working on during Art Week. The space will host other initiatives." says Peuser.

An ongoing Latin American-focused Art Fair in Miami is essential to Miami’s identity as an art destination--for art lovers as well as art collectors. Miami is also important to Latin American artists and ex-patriots.

"Miami is a bridge. People in Latin America live with one foot in their country and one foot in Miami." says Peuser.


Peuser travels 150,000 miles a year making this fair and Pinta’s other fair in New York City happen. It is also located in the Wynwood area where anyone who is an Art Week visitor should take time to wander. In that wandering be sure to visit Pinta.

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From the series Continuo by Fernando García Correa
VISITOR INFORMATION

Pinta Miami includes conferences, PINTA Forum (conversations curated by Roc Laseca). There will also be collaborations with the Miami Symphony Orchestra, Tiroche DeLeon Collection and the Frederick R. Weisman Art Foundation.



December 2 to 6, 2015
Fair hours are from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
at Mana Wynwood (318 N.W. 23rd Ave. Miami)


Sections:

PINTA Modern curated by Osbel Suarez
PINTA Contemporary curated by Curatorial Committee
PINTA Photography curated by José Antonio Navarrete & Rodrigo Alonso
PINTA Drawing curated by Roc Laseca
PINTA Project: Time Sensitive curated by Jesús Fuenmayor



Pinta Miami’s main sponsor is EFG Capital, a Zurich-based international banking firm.
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