interview by Patrick Ogle
Pinta Miami (December 2 -December 5, 2021) is the first, and surprisingly still the only, fair during Art Week devoted entirely to Latin American art. The fair is always full of fascinating galleries, artists and, where many other fairs are so massive as to be intimidating? Pinta always manages to both cover Latin America and not be overwhelming.
Mercedes Abella, who handles communications for Pinta, talked with Mapanare about the history of the fair, and what you can expect to see--from contemporary artists to Latin American Masters. Abella is most excited this year to be reuniting with artists, gallery owners and art lovers in person and with Pinta, as well as representing Miami and creators from Latin America.
“I’m looking forward to celebrating the love for art and discussing the many possibilities that art holds for us in the near future” she says.
Pinta Miami (December 2 -December 5, 2021) is the first, and surprisingly still the only, fair during Art Week devoted entirely to Latin American art. The fair is always full of fascinating galleries, artists and, where many other fairs are so massive as to be intimidating? Pinta always manages to both cover Latin America and not be overwhelming.
Mercedes Abella, who handles communications for Pinta, talked with Mapanare about the history of the fair, and what you can expect to see--from contemporary artists to Latin American Masters. Abella is most excited this year to be reuniting with artists, gallery owners and art lovers in person and with Pinta, as well as representing Miami and creators from Latin America.
“I’m looking forward to celebrating the love for art and discussing the many possibilities that art holds for us in the near future” she says.
Aparición en el estudio de Humboldt by Alejandro Pintado via Galeria Ethra
Pinta is a multi faceted fair with the usual booths but also over arching sections like this year's solo and special projects. How would you recommend visitors approach the fair to get the most out of it?
As you mention, besides the Main Section where visitors will find an exclusive selection of galleries, this year’s focus is on Solo and Special Projects. Within Solo Projects, the exhibiting galleries will highlight the works of selected artists whose oeuvre speaks of creative production regarding the pandemic and its effects. A stronger distinction is given to Nohra Haime’s artist, Ruby Rumié, who depicts the artist’s responsibility towards the community in a photographic installation that embodies social and territorial heritage as a creative approach to violence and injustice.
For the Special Projects section, curated by the esteemed Félix Suazo, the emphasis is put on social and ecological concerns. Very much related to issues faced in Miami, as well as globally, the installations in this section are an unmissable and eye-opening experience where aesthetics lead to philosophical and existential matters.
With Pinta in its 15th year, do you feel that headway has been made in familiarizing collectors and art aficionados with contemporary art from Latin America?
Very much so. Pinta’s principal objective is to provide visibility to Latin American creators and managers. We believe the region to be extremely rich in its historical, social, and artistic spheres; all worthy of global attention. Besides its yearly fair, Pinta hosts an array of virtual and in-person events that cater not only to established collectors, but to young people who are venturing into the activity. The Latin American art market is growing year by year, and Pinta is set on creating bridges that not only brings the collectors closer to new and diverse art, but also provides artists and galleries tools for the marketing of their works.
As you mention, besides the Main Section where visitors will find an exclusive selection of galleries, this year’s focus is on Solo and Special Projects. Within Solo Projects, the exhibiting galleries will highlight the works of selected artists whose oeuvre speaks of creative production regarding the pandemic and its effects. A stronger distinction is given to Nohra Haime’s artist, Ruby Rumié, who depicts the artist’s responsibility towards the community in a photographic installation that embodies social and territorial heritage as a creative approach to violence and injustice.
For the Special Projects section, curated by the esteemed Félix Suazo, the emphasis is put on social and ecological concerns. Very much related to issues faced in Miami, as well as globally, the installations in this section are an unmissable and eye-opening experience where aesthetics lead to philosophical and existential matters.
With Pinta in its 15th year, do you feel that headway has been made in familiarizing collectors and art aficionados with contemporary art from Latin America?
Very much so. Pinta’s principal objective is to provide visibility to Latin American creators and managers. We believe the region to be extremely rich in its historical, social, and artistic spheres; all worthy of global attention. Besides its yearly fair, Pinta hosts an array of virtual and in-person events that cater not only to established collectors, but to young people who are venturing into the activity. The Latin American art market is growing year by year, and Pinta is set on creating bridges that not only brings the collectors closer to new and diverse art, but also provides artists and galleries tools for the marketing of their works.
Read more about Pinta’s projects HERE
Balaró by Paula Juchem via Janaina Torres Galeria
For visitors unfamiliar with Latin American art, what do you think will surprise them most about this year's Pinta?
Latin American modern masters have gained much notoriety in the last years, but I think that what will surprise visitors the most are the incredible creativities and far-reaching voices that younger, more contemporary artists exhibit. New techniques, or the rekindling of traditional techniques, socially aware expressions and bold artistry are some of the qualities that, to me, describe this generation of artists that will exhibit in this edition of Pinta.
Conceptualizing Global Warming and Traditional Technique is similar to the themes in the work of many artists these days (echoing the concerns of people everywhere). What was the genesis of this project and do you think art can actually have an influence on solving important issues? Does it need to?
Both themes, global warming and pre-Columbian culture, have been enjoying a deserving attention. However, I believe there is a call to action that isn’t being answered by the general public/populations. So, to answer your question, I see Art as a necessary wake-up call but I think the public also has the responsibility to react. Therefore the curatorship of Pinta’s Special Projects has opted for immersive installations, where visitors will be engulfed with these pressing matters, as they enjoy the brilliant creativity of the two artists Nan González and Lisu Vega.
How do you focus a fair like Pinta? Latin American art is a vast subject with many styles and national traditions (and then variations within those).
This year’s Pinta is displayed as a Concept. With the many Latin identities in mind, Pinta becomes a display of cultural richness in itself, rather than establishing divisions by country/region. Latin American art is vast, but shares a common thread and similar historical processes which have influenced life and art in today’s Latin America. Pinta’s focus is on the universality of our concerns and the many ways of expressing those, as well as beauty expressions that do vary but that come together in a very poetic way.
Latin American modern masters have gained much notoriety in the last years, but I think that what will surprise visitors the most are the incredible creativities and far-reaching voices that younger, more contemporary artists exhibit. New techniques, or the rekindling of traditional techniques, socially aware expressions and bold artistry are some of the qualities that, to me, describe this generation of artists that will exhibit in this edition of Pinta.
Conceptualizing Global Warming and Traditional Technique is similar to the themes in the work of many artists these days (echoing the concerns of people everywhere). What was the genesis of this project and do you think art can actually have an influence on solving important issues? Does it need to?
Both themes, global warming and pre-Columbian culture, have been enjoying a deserving attention. However, I believe there is a call to action that isn’t being answered by the general public/populations. So, to answer your question, I see Art as a necessary wake-up call but I think the public also has the responsibility to react. Therefore the curatorship of Pinta’s Special Projects has opted for immersive installations, where visitors will be engulfed with these pressing matters, as they enjoy the brilliant creativity of the two artists Nan González and Lisu Vega.
How do you focus a fair like Pinta? Latin American art is a vast subject with many styles and national traditions (and then variations within those).
This year’s Pinta is displayed as a Concept. With the many Latin identities in mind, Pinta becomes a display of cultural richness in itself, rather than establishing divisions by country/region. Latin American art is vast, but shares a common thread and similar historical processes which have influenced life and art in today’s Latin America. Pinta’s focus is on the universality of our concerns and the many ways of expressing those, as well as beauty expressions that do vary but that come together in a very poetic way.
El Tablero by Carlos Páez Vilaró via ACCS Visual Arts
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