Tuesday May 22, 2007
Exhibition of rare Cuban artworks
By SALINA KHALID
Photos by AZHAR MAHFUF
salina@thestar.com.my
WHAT do the best cigars and the sultry salsa have in common? They are
both synonymous with Cuba.
"The cigar and salsa music or dance need no introduction when it comes
to Cuba.
"But we also have a strong art movement in the country," said Cuban
Ambassador to Malaysia Pedro Monzon Barata.
Barata said artists from each province in the country belonged to a
visual art council which helped to promote their artworks.
This week, Malaysians will have a chance to view some of these works as
the Embassy has brought in a large collection of artworks by a group of
Cuban visual artists.
Entitled Independence, Presumption and Convergence: A Homage to
Malaysia's Independence through Cuban Art, the exhibition features more
than 100 pieces by 40 Cuban artists. Also included in the exhibition are
photos taken by their local photographer. The artists are from Pinar del
Rio province on the western part of the island.
The exhibition will be held at Balai Seni Maybank in Kuala Lumpur from
tomorrow until June 22.
"This is the first time the collection is going on display outside Cuba
and it is a chance for Malaysians to see them. It is our way of paying
homage to Malaysia's 50th Independence celebration," Barata said at the
press conference for the exhibition.
Also present at the press conference, held at Menara Maybank on
Thursday, were exhibition curator Ricardo Ruiz Cordova and one of the
artists, Carlos Ulises Bretana Hevia.
The collection represents a wide variety of styles executed in various
mediums.
According to Barata, the collection represented works by different
generations of Cuban artists, reflecting their own experiences,
techniques and concepts. The works reflect the country's landscape,
people and culture.
"A common theme in the collection is the cigar, which has become part of
life in Pinar del Rio province. Pinar del Rio is known to produce the
best cigars in the world," he said.
"Viewers will see the theme represented in various ways in the artworks,
and especially life in the tobacco plantation," he said.
The collection even features Don Alejandro Robaina, dubbed "the king of
tobacco". Robaina was photographed by Estaban E. Diaz.
Several of the paintings feature the serene landscape of the province.
Scenes of green valleys with palm trees and rivers are particularly
soothing. Also featured are abstract pieces.
Asked about the meaning of the title for the exhibition, Barata said it
represented the independence of the artists' creativity in their work in
paying homage to Malaysia's 50th Independence celebration.
"This is an opportunity for us to converge with Malaysians at art
galleries and, hopefully, these artworks will provide a link to
strengthen our bilateral relationship," he said.
The artworks are also for sale with part of the proceeds to be donated
to charity.
The pieces are priced between RM3,500 and RM14,000.
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/5/22/central/17774941&sec=central
Exhibition of rare Cuban artworks
By SALINA KHALID
Photos by AZHAR MAHFUF
salina@thestar.com.my
WHAT do the best cigars and the sultry salsa have in common? They are
both synonymous with Cuba.
"The cigar and salsa music or dance need no introduction when it comes
to Cuba.
"But we also have a strong art movement in the country," said Cuban
Ambassador to Malaysia Pedro Monzon Barata.
Barata said artists from each province in the country belonged to a
visual art council which helped to promote their artworks.
This week, Malaysians will have a chance to view some of these works as
the Embassy has brought in a large collection of artworks by a group of
Cuban visual artists.
Entitled Independence, Presumption and Convergence: A Homage to
Malaysia's Independence through Cuban Art, the exhibition features more
than 100 pieces by 40 Cuban artists. Also included in the exhibition are
photos taken by their local photographer. The artists are from Pinar del
Rio province on the western part of the island.
The exhibition will be held at Balai Seni Maybank in Kuala Lumpur from
tomorrow until June 22.
"This is the first time the collection is going on display outside Cuba
and it is a chance for Malaysians to see them. It is our way of paying
homage to Malaysia's 50th Independence celebration," Barata said at the
press conference for the exhibition.
Also present at the press conference, held at Menara Maybank on
Thursday, were exhibition curator Ricardo Ruiz Cordova and one of the
artists, Carlos Ulises Bretana Hevia.
The collection represents a wide variety of styles executed in various
mediums.
According to Barata, the collection represented works by different
generations of Cuban artists, reflecting their own experiences,
techniques and concepts. The works reflect the country's landscape,
people and culture.
"A common theme in the collection is the cigar, which has become part of
life in Pinar del Rio province. Pinar del Rio is known to produce the
best cigars in the world," he said.
"Viewers will see the theme represented in various ways in the artworks,
and especially life in the tobacco plantation," he said.
The collection even features Don Alejandro Robaina, dubbed "the king of
tobacco". Robaina was photographed by Estaban E. Diaz.
Several of the paintings feature the serene landscape of the province.
Scenes of green valleys with palm trees and rivers are particularly
soothing. Also featured are abstract pieces.
Asked about the meaning of the title for the exhibition, Barata said it
represented the independence of the artists' creativity in their work in
paying homage to Malaysia's 50th Independence celebration.
"This is an opportunity for us to converge with Malaysians at art
galleries and, hopefully, these artworks will provide a link to
strengthen our bilateral relationship," he said.
The artworks are also for sale with part of the proceeds to be donated
to charity.
The pieces are priced between RM3,500 and RM14,000.
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/5/22/central/17774941&sec=central
No comments:
Post a Comment