VISUAL THERAPY : THE EFFECTS OF ART AS MANIFESTATION ON ARTIST AND VIEWER
"Visual Therapy", conceptualized by Conde Contemporary Gallery Director and author, Stacy Conde, features two immersive video installations, photorealistic, academic, and expressionistic portraiture, conceptual art, surrealism...
The multidisciplinary exhibition "Visual Therapy - The Effects of Art as Manifestation on Artist and Viewer" opens Thursday, September 28th, 2017, 6:00pm at The Frank, Pembroke Pines new multi-million dollar gallery and exhibition hall, located at 601 City Center Way in Pembroke Pines.
"Visual Therapy", conceptualized by Conde Contemporary Gallery Director and author, Stacy Conde, features two immersive video installations, photorealistic, academic, and expressionistic portraiture, conceptual art, surrealism, photography, and performance art. "Visual art offers a direct view into the mind of its creator. A work of art begins with a thought formed in the artist’s mind. The artist manifests their vision, creating a physical object. …a representation of an inner reality. The creation of this object, or work of art, has an impact on both the artist and viewer.
Though conventional wisdom would have us focus on art and not the artist, this exhibition, “Visual Therapy”, examines both the psychological motivations of the artist and the response their work evokes in the observer. "Do they correlate? Does it matter?” explains Conde.
Featured artists include: Anthony Ardavin, Julio Figueroa Beltran, Patricio Gonzalez Bezanilla, Bill Bilowit, Andres Conde, Agnes Grochulska, Natasha Kertes, Marilyn Loddi, Reynier Llanes Marquez, Darian Rodriguez Mederos, Raiman Rodriguez Moya, Enrique Toledo, Luis Enrique Toledo del Rio, and Luis Rodriguez Noa.
Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres served on the plaza.
Exhibition programming includes art appreciation workshops for adults and children led by curator, writer and art critic, Yuneikys Villalonga. Adult Art Appreciation Workshop will be held Saturday, September 30th, from 2pm-4pm. Children’s Art Appreciation Workshop, for children ages 8-12, Saturday, October 14 from 12pm-2pm. RSVP for classes at 954.392.9420 or by registering online at www.thefrankgallery.org.
The exhibition, "Visual Therapy" closes on November 30th.
CONDE CONTEMPORARY : CONTEXT NEW YORK 2017
"Cuban art fascinates me, in that Cuba has been the point of convergence for a multitude of cultures, since its 'discovery' by Columbus. Taino, European, African, Arawak, Chinese, Lebanese and most recently perhaps, Russian and Eastern European, each with their own set of traditions and aesthetic values, have created Cuba as we know it. Cuba is another version of a melting pot made with a recipe of its own, aspects of that multiculturalism are reflected in their art."
Conde Contemporary aka COCO, the gallery in Miami focused on narrative realism, photorealistic portraiture, surrealism and contemporary Cuban art, is delighted to announce their participation in CONTEXT New York, 2017, booth C-409.
"The second edition of CONTEXT New York will take place May 3-7, 2017 in Manhattan. The fair will join Art New York at Pier 94, located on the Hudson River at 12th Avenue at 55th Street. A VIP Private Preview will kick off art week, May 3 in New York City before Frieze's opening. CONTEXT New York will provide collectors with a leading alternative fair to acquire important works of contemporary art."
The focus of Conde Contemporary's booth, C-409, is realism, surrealism and expressionism; as always Gallery Director Stacy Conde, has a close eye on Cuba.
"Cuban art fascinates me, in that Cuba has been the point of convergence for a multitude of cultures, since its 'discovery' by Columbus. Taino, European, African, Arawak, Chinese, Lebanese and most recently perhaps, Russian and Eastern European, each with their own set of traditions and aesthetic values, have created Cuba as we know it. Cuba is another version of a melting pot made with a recipe of its own, aspects of that multiculturalism are reflected in their art."
Though clearly a passion, Conde, says she's not in an "exclusive relationship" with Cuba. "The gallery's concentration is representational work. Which our artists articulate in a fairly broad range of styles, techniques and mediums". The artist's point of origin is far less important to me than the work they produce, and at the risk of sounding corny, who they are as humans. Life is too short to work with miserable people."
COCO will exhibit works by Anthony Ardavin, Cuba, Andres Conde, Cuba, Diego Fazio, Italy, Enrique Toledo, Cuba, Luis Enrique Toledo del Rio, Cuba, Rocio Toledo del Rio, Cuba, Ruben Torres Llorca, Cuba, Antonio Luquin, Mexico, Darian Rodriguez Mederos, Cuba and Julio Figueroa Beltran, Cuba.
LA Art Show 2017
"We revel in breaking stereotypes", Stacy Conde explains. "Our artists create work that defies cookie cutter examples of what many perceive "Cuban art" to be. Think of the broad array of styles encompassed by the term 'American art'. Is it fair to assume all American art should be some extrapolation of Pollock? Of course not. Nor is it just to assume Cuban art must in some way reference Lam, for example."
It all started when...
Conde Contemporary, the gallery in Miami known for its technically driven, representational and often figurative work, with a focus on contemporary Cuban art, has today announced its participation in the LA Art Show 2017, booth 339.
"This is the first time we exhibit in LA, and consider it a major opportunity to expose our artists to one of the most important art markets in the world", said gallery owner and director, Stacy Conde.
Conde Contemporary plans to show works by : Anthony Ardavin (Santiago de Cuba), Andres Conde (La Habana), Natasha Kertes (Klin, Russia), Darian Rodriguez Mederos (Santa Clara), Luis Rodriguez NOA (Baracoa), Luis Enrique Toledo del Rio (Santa Clara), Enrique Toledo (Santa Clara), and Ruben Torres Llorca (La Habana).
"Seven Cuban artists and a Russian photographer...", smiles Conde, "...it seems an odd match, but historically speaking, it's entirely apropos."
The gallery embraces works created in a range of styles from the hyper realistic portraiture of Mederos, the surreal magical worlds captured by Toledo del Rio, to the period specific figurative expressionism of Andres Conde's work.
"Our artists each bring a different point of reference as it relates to being Cuban and their work, which is largely based on age, location and the socio political realities at work in Cuba during their lifetimes."
NOA, who lives and works in Centro Habana, focuses on the chaos of every day life in Havana. He says, "It's easy to be a surrealist in Cuba. You just go outside with paper and a pencil and draw what you see."
27 year old Luis Enrique Toledo del Rio, born during Cuba's "Special Period", is strongly influenced by his father, master painter Enrique Toledo whose work resides in the permanent collection of the Vatican, his grandmother the award winning Cuban poet, and his mother, an actress in children's theatre.
Ruben Torres Llorca, "Volumen Uno" member, whose work resides in the permanent collection of no fewer than seven museums worldwide including: Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, La Habana, Cuba, Centro de Arte Contemporaneo, Mexico, DF, Ludwig Forum Fur Internationale Kunst, Aachen, Germany, The PAMM, Miami, FL, and Museo del Barrio, NY, NY.
“My fundamental influences are coming from film and literature. The only reason I choose to be a visual artist is the independence that it carries. Of the art forms, it is the one least in need of an outside producer, and I have a pathological inclination for naughtiness. Through the years I haven’t cared what type of classification my art is subject to, whether it’s considered art, post-art, literature, or a simple commentary. I do not care what type of resources it uses, the provenance, or how bastardized it could be if I can use it. The essence for me is to establish a public dialogue.” - Ruben Torres Llorca
"We revel in breaking stereotypes", Stacy Conde explains. "Our artists create work that defies cookie cutter examples of what many perceive "Cuban art" to be. Think of the broad array of styles encompassed by the term 'American art'. Is it fair to assume all American art should be some extrapolation of Pollock? Of course not. Nor is it just to assume Cuban art must in some way reference Lam, for example."
Darian Rodriguez Mederos left the smaller city of Santa Clara and moved to Havana in order to attend the renowned, La Escuela Nacional de Bellas Artes San Alejandro. After graduation, and with a desire to explore the world at large, Mederos emigrated to Miami, alone, at 22. Where he realized the dream of meeting one of his greatest influences, Chuck Close.
Andres Conde, the son of a Havana playboy turned political prisoner, left Cuba after the elder Conde was released from seven years hard labor, having sustained critical injuries. No longer of value to the state, he was sent home to die. He did not. The family acquired visas to Spain, and eventually made their way to New York, then Miami. Andres Conde's work portrays a nostalgic look at what Cuba once was, with the hope of what it could be again.
Natasha Kertes, born in Klin, Russia, home of Tchaikovsky. Immersed in the classical arts, her photography, though thoroughly modern, reflects a sensual beauty, elegance and opulence of a time past.
The LA Art Show, www.laartshow.com, runs from January 11th through the 15th and takes place at the Los Angeles Convention Center, with the Opening Night Premiere Party, on January 11th from 7-11pm, benefitting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Conde Contemporary will exhibit in booth 339.
SUEÑOS LUCIDOS : POSADA DEL TEPOZTECO
"In this exhibition I try to move the viewer through virtual doors to other universes of magic and surrealism, where the dreamlike and idyllic is transmitted, as a journey to the collective unconscious...it is an exploration of our unconscious, a personal psychoanalysis, where archetypal objects function as the means to communicate..."
Conde Contemporary, the gallery in Coral Gables, FL, known for its representational works and focus on contemporary Cuban art, and Posada del Tepozteco, the historic mansion turned hotel and founding member of "Tesoros Mexico", present "Sueños Lucidos", featuring the work of Luis Enrique Toledo del Rio, opening at Posada del Tepozteco in Tepotzlan, Mexico on Friday, January 6th at 6:00pm with a second opening reception on Saturday, January 7th also at 6:00pm.
"En esta exhibición trato de trasladar al expertador mediante puertas virtuales a otros universos de magia y surrealismo, en donde se trasmite lo onírico e idílico que pueden ser un viaje al inconsciente colectivo. Podremos asegurar que es el mundo interno que no conocemos de nosotros mismos, un lugar de situaciones circundantes del ser, como es el viaje, el tiempo, el deseo, sentires, aflicciones, miedo y misterios. Es una exploración de nuestro inconsciente, un psicoanálisis personal, donde objetos arquetípicos funcionan como el medio para comunicar mensajes llenos de símbolos e iconos que trasmiten vivencias de nuestro sueños lúcidos". - Luis Enrique Toledo del Rio.
"In this exhibition I try to move the viewer through virtual doors to other universes of magic and surrealism, where the dreamlike and idyllic is transmitted, as a journey to the collective unconscious. We can ensure that it is the inner world that we do not know about ourselves, a place reflecting states of being, such as travel, time, desire, feelings, afflictions, fear and mysteries. It is an exploration of our unconscious, a personal psychoanalysis, where archetypal objects function as the means to communicate full messages of symbols and icons that transmit experiences of our lucid dreams". - Luis Enrique Toledo del Rio
"Toledo del Rio's art is magical, symbolic and often depicts diaphanous figures in nature. This magnificent ancestral home, turned hotel, with its' scenic view of the Tepotzlan Valley is the perfect stage for an exhibition of his surrealist work", says Stacy Conde, Director of Conde Contemporary.
"At least one of the protagonists in my work is always in some way associated with the forest, magic or the oneiric", agrees Luis Enrique Toledo del Rio.
"I half expect one of Luis Enrique's figures to appear from around the next corner at any moment", continues Conde.
The 28 year old Cuban painter, currently residing in Quito, Ecuador, has long been fascinated with Mexico. His father, master painter Enrique Toledo, has exhibited many times in Mexico over the years, bringing home souvenirs of embroidered fabrics, and tales of meetings with foreign artists in an unfamiliar landscape.
"What is very gratifying for me is to be able to exhibit my work in a nation which overflows with surrealism, magic, archetypes and symbolism. ...a land culturally strong, from its roots up. Additionally, it's a great honor to show my work in a country that helped develop, one of my favorite artists and a great influence on my work, Remedios Varo."
REALISM, SURREALISM AND REPRESENTATION
"Realism, Surrealism and Representation" an exhibition of works by American, Cuban and Russian artists opens at Conde Contemporary, 204 Miracle Mile in Coral Gables, on November 25th at 6:00 pm.
The show explores the intersection of surrealism, realism and representational art as exemplified by...
"Realism, Surrealism and Representation" an exhibition of works by American, Cuban and Russian artists opens at Conde Contemporary, 204 Miracle Mile in Coral Gables, on November 25th at 6:00 pm.
The show explores the intersection of surrealism, realism and representational art as exemplified by: Anthony Ardavin, Andres Conde, Leonardo Duarte, Willian Duarte, Tobin Garth Karicher, Natasha Kertes, Darian Rodriguez Mederos, Luis Rodriguez Noa, Enrique Toledo, and Luis Enrique Toledo de Rio.
