With three gallery spaces tailored for public art, the Museum of Contemporary Art of the Americas stands as the inaugural venue designed for showcasing contemporary art in the Kendall region.Through its lively programming and rotating exhibitions, the Museum bridges the gap between the community and artists hailing from all corners of the globe. It nurtures emerging artists, encourages established ones to explore new horizons, and demonstrates Kendall's aspirations to establish itself as a key player in the South Florida and wider American contemporary art scene.
The Museum's exhibition program presents solo and group shows by local, national, and international artists, prioritizing originality and striving to showcase works from a diverse array of creators. Its goal is to bring innovative contemporary art that transcends borders to South Florida and beyond, connecting communities and broadening horizons.Exhibitions are organized by Jorge Rodríguez (R10), the Museum's director and Chief Curator, and by guest curators from all visual arts. Each one runs for an average of 45 days, with shorter exhibitions of seven to fifteen days being planned in cases where certain works cannot be displayed for the usual period of time.
The "Pop Up Shows" or ephemeral exhibitions are conceived as part of a specific line of projects aimed at presenting as many local artists as possible to the community and offering them exhibition spaces throughout the regular season.
Mónica Batard, artist and curator, presents this collective exhibition featuring seven female artists and seven male artists. Most, with the exception of Ivonne Ferrer and Milena Gutiérrez, have recently arrived in the United States or various European capitals. "Halando Parejo" primarily focuses on the challenges they've faced in integrating into a community that operates under paradigms vastly different from those they've known throughout their lives. It's an exhibition of, one might say, cathartic nature. A significant portion of Cuban art over recent decades addresses political themes. Once an artist leaves the island and their circumstances shift, so too may their interests, and, indeed, the very audience of their art. Their themes and concerns might undergo transformation, often becoming more introspective, revealing a starkly different reality in their work. It's commonplace to notice the thematic focus pivoting towards the artist themselves. We are presented with the rare opportunity to compare—and attempt to reconcile—works produced in disparate, even antagonistic, contexts, observing how the frequently hostile environment influences the poetic essence of one artist versus another and how this is mirrored in their work. Subjective qualities such as intensity, intricate execution, and the projection of their pieces provide a supplementary information package that allows a more comprehensive view of each artist.
For Gabriela Martínez, painting is a therapeutic endeavor. Often, we encounter emotions that elude verbal articulation, especially feelings determined by nebulous sensations. Yet, these emotions flow seamlessly through the boundless spectrum of hues and gestures. Gabriela dreams, allowing her visions to manifest directly onto the canvas; her strokes dream with her, melding into a singular creative entity. From the canvas emanates a palpable aura of opulence and empowerment. The flourish of her brushwork is not one of timidity, but of audacity. Her palette consistently challenges conventions, rejoicing—or mourning—in genuine primary colors.
She regards her abilities as a transcendent power, granting her passage to and from her subjectivity. Through meditation, she immerses herself in color, positioning her mind beyond the distractions of the immediate, beyond the reach of exigencies. Contrary to what may be inferred, this approach seemingly stimulates a critical thought process that recurrently reevaluates her cosmic role, establishing her distinct coordinates within it.
The collection comprises roughly twenty bronze pieces of small to medium scale, crafted over the past two decades. Nurit has always been captivated by the human figure – its malleability, movement, and curvature. She regards the human body as a flawless machine constructed of flesh and bone. However, beyond mere shape, it is the meticulous attention to gesture that has ultimately defined the character of her sculptures. Through this gesture, one can discern their emotions and moods. As attendees will note from the inaugural event, these pieces allow for the appreciation of diverse feelings of many people, who have navigated the ups and downs of life with varying degrees of success.
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The collection comprises roughly twenty bronze pieces of small to medium scale, crafted over the past two decades. Nurit has always been captivated by the human figure – its malleability, movement, and curvature. She regards the human body as a flawless machine constructed of flesh and bone. However, beyond mere shape, it is the meticulous attention to gesture that has ultimately defined the character of her sculptures. Through this gesture, one can discern their emotions and moods. As attendees will note from the inaugural event, these pieces allow for the appreciation of diverse feelings of many people, who have navigated the ups and downs of life with varying degrees of success.
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As we evolve into an increasingly visually-oriented society, the skills to identify and distinguish valuable objects, interpret symbolic meanings, and swiftly organize a deluge of captivating visual stimuli become indispensable. Contemporary education now more than ever requires educators specialized in visuality and, by extension, in the realm of visual arts. The artist-educator has always held a prominent position within the educational profession. Successful art teachers possess the unique ability to grasp the creative process and convey this elusive knowledge to others. One of their most valued competencies is the skill to instill a sense of achievement in their students.
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At first glance, it would seem that the work of Antonio Espinosa and Alain Pino – two visual producers trained in art academies in Cuba, who participated in the generational will of the nineties– have no connection to each other, as they are two artists with different trajectories and, if you will, polarized. But beyond the topics that obsess both creators, the turning point that unites them is the procedural conception of their pieces, the transformation of a primordial idea that will later evolve into an artistic expression. This is the reason that brings them together and becomes a pretext to join them in the upcoming exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art of the Americas.
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In recent years, Cirenaica Moreira has frequently delved into the realm of performance art. Since the 90s, Moreira has focused—through the representation of her own body—on challenging the political discourse expressed as yet another projection of toxic masculinity. She analyzes the female body from the perspectives of sexuality, gender, and race. Much of her work as a photographer transports us to dreamlike or unreal contexts where the subject has evolved at its own pace, untouched by the haste and agitation of 'becoming'. Cirenaica's models simply 'are'. On this occasion, the involvement of the audience was crucial.
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For the past six years, the erstwhile Kendall Art Center —now reimagined as the Museum of Contemporary Art of the Americas— has devoted itself to nurturing a profound dialogue surrounding painting, encouraging a spirit of experimentation and a multiplicity of perspectives. 'Old Friends' exemplifies this fruitful discourse between two maestros of abstract art. This dialogue was sparked by Rigoberto Mena's journey to Boston in 2000, some 23 years ago. Mena, traversing to the USA, participated in the exhibition 'Cuba, Cuba, three contemporary artists', showcased alongside fellow artists Alejandro Lazo and Pango at the Espacio 12 gallery.
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The Museum of Contemporary Art of the Americas and the Fine Arts Ceramic Center presented their exhibition "Unlikely Assemblages" as part of the 57th Annual National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA) Conference, which took place from March 15th to 18th, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States. The Annex Gallery, located next to the Pendelton Art Center and directed by photographer and cultural promoter Jens G. Rosenkrantz, hosted the exhibition, which will run until April 29th, 2023. "Unlikely Assemblages" showcases the works of three prominent Cuban creators who are based in South Florida.
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Within the Women in the Arts Program, a tribute from a group of Cuban female artists to the extraordinary Carmen Herrera. As part of the Women in the Arts Program, the Museum of Contemporary Art of the Americas in Kendall inaugurated the collective exhibition 'A mi me manda Carmen' on Friday, March 10, 2023. In response to a call by curator Monica Batard, a select group of Latina artists decided to honor Herrera's memory, life, and example. These Cuban artists, share their works with the public in Kendall and Miami-Dade County, once again demonstrating the richness and diversity of female creativity in the world of contemporary art.
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The Fine Art Ceramic Center and Miami Ceramic League are teaming up to promote and educate the public on ceramic arts. The Miami Ceramic League recently hosted an annual exhibition in collaboration with the Museum of Contemporary Art of the Americas, featuring renowned ceramicist Tom Coleman as the keynote speaker. The event provided a platform for artists to showcase their latest creations and network with fellow creators for several hours. The evening was filled with creative and motivational experiences, and attendees gained a deeper appreciation for this unique art form.
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I don’t remember when I first met Montoto, but by the time I began to associate with the art world, he was already well-established. It’s been over 25 years now. I later designed several catalogs for him and got to know him personally. At that time, he often worked with art critic Rufo Caballero, who unfortunately passed away at the peak of his career. Rufo told me that Montoto’s entire discourse was based on deep intellectual convictions and that I should not be swayed by appearances, that beyond his almost absolute mastery of technique, there were deep philosophical reflections layered underneath.
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The Rodríguez Collection, displayed at the Museum of Contemporary Art of the Americas (MoCAA), offers a fascinating exploration of contemporary Cuban and continental art. Encompassing various mediums and styles, the collection emphasizes the richness and diversity of continental artistic expression. Featuring paintings, sculptures, photographs, drawings, and ceramics, the works interact with each other and captivate viewers, creating a unique heritage that transcends boundaries of time, culture, and geography, for a truly enriching and immersive artistic experience, serving the Kendall community and the rest of South Florida.
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The museum must not be a conventional and unsurprising place. It must offer wondrous experiences and provide insights into the mysteries of creation; it must invite us to embark on new journeys. Though the museum must never be ordinary, visitors must feel like they are on familiar ground. A museum is to be prone to debate, discovery and thought. A museum is a place for integration and sharing where the notion of community is vital. It is a place of concurrence, not opulence. At the same time, a museum should be accessible and welcoming to all, inspiring curiosity and sparking imagination in visitors of all ages and backgrounds.
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The Fine Arts Ceramic Center integrates into The New MoCAA museum. The exhibition "Ceramics: Omnipresence Matter" is organized, encompassing the complex connotations of identity, belonging, and diaspora. It concerns the artist's narratives, history, and social context. It's a total departure from how traditionally the ceramics collection has been presented. Ceramics have become a source of inspiration and expressiveness for a selection of artists presented as part of the FACC collection. As part of the integration, the exhibition showcases how the Fine Arts Ceramic Center has evolved into a really dynamic space.
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Collecting art is not just a hobby, it's an exploration of one's own values, ideologies, and tastes. This practice not only curates a personalized visual narrative but also plays a role in shaping cultural conversations and driving the artistic direction. For collectors of contemporary art, the acquisition of new pieces isn't merely transactional—it's about engaging with the present, participating in current dialogues, and directly influencing the direction of the art world. Adding new artwork to their collection is a commitment to the ongoing evolution of culture and creative expression. It's about supporting artists, facilitating their growth and ability to create.
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Textile art is considered one of the most ancient art forms in human history. Anthropologists estimate its origins to be approximately 120,000 years ago, and are described as artifacts made from fibers gained from animal skins, furs, leaves, and even insects. It is an art that can be simultaneously beautiful and practical, able to be expressed in many forms, from tapestries, to weaving and knitting. This temporary exhibition features nine women artists who use and combine textile materials with domestic or artisanal techniques, in order to provide evocative and unique works of art.
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The Kendall Art Cultural Center (KACC), dedicated the past six years to the preservation and promotion of contemporary art and artists, and to the exchange of art and ideas throughout Miami and South Florida, as well as abroad. Through an energetic calendar of exhibitions, programs, and its collections, KACC provides an international platform for the work of established and emerging artists, advancing public appreciation and understanding of contemporary art.
The Rodríguez collection is a blueprint of Cuban art and its diaspora. Within the context of the new MoCA-Americas the collection becomes an invaluable visual source for Diaspora identity. It represents a different approach to art history to try to better understand where we come from to better know where we are heading.
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