Alejandra Von Hartz at Wynwood Gallery Night

By Alexandra Figueredo

Gallery Night every second Saturday of the month is the perfect opportunity to explore contemporary art in Miami’s Wynwood Art District. Enjoy a glass of wine and hors d’eouvres while strolling through dozens of local galleries and collections, including Alejandra von Hartz Gallery owned by Key Biscayne resident Alejandra von Hartz.

Alejandra von Hartz Gallery represents both US and international artists ranging from established pioneers of modern art in the 1950’s to emerging artists.  The focus is on Latin American contemporary art with an emphasis on Geometric Abstraction, Minimalism and Conceptual Art.

Opened in 2002, the Gallery serves as a platform to promote Latin American art on a global level. It has also participated in art fairs locally and worldwide, including Art Basel Miami Beach held in December 2010.

Upcoming events at the Gallery include exhibit entitled “Working Premises” by Martin Pelenur, a Uruguayan artist known for Geometric Abstraction, through April 2, 2011; and exhibit by Argentinean artist Teresa Pereda with conceptual art works, photography and video, from April 9 – June 4, 2011.

Regular Gallery hours are Tuesday – Friday from 11 am - 6 pm and Saturday from 12 - 5 pm. Gallery Night is every second Saturday from 7 – 10 pm. For more information on the Gallery, visit www.AlejandravonHartz.net.

Alejandra von Hartz Gallery

2630 NW 2nd Ave

Miami, FL 33127

305-438-0220

Info@AlejandravonHartz.net

© 2011, Alexandra Figueredo

The above article appeared in Key Biscayne Magazine March 2011 edition. To contact the writer, please email her at alexandra@artistamundo.com.

Christo creating a buzz for public works

Photo Credit: Wolfgang Volz, 1983, christojeanneclaude.net

February 13, 2011

By Alexandra Figueredo

An excited chatter fills the crowded room as attendees anxiously wait to hear him speak. Internationally renowned, "Christo" has been attracting attention from his colossal public works for decades.

And there he is. Christo Vladimirov Javacheff, a gentle 75-year-old with disheveled white hair and large-brimmed glasses working feverishly to get his old-fashioned slide projector to “make focus” in Florida International University’s packed lecture hall.

Christo, along with his late wife and creative partner Jeanne-Claude, has spent half a century realizing over 20 monumental installations. Famed projects include erecting “The Gates” in New York City’s Central Park, surrounding several islands in Biscayne Bay with floating pink fabric, and wrapping cloth around Berlin’s Reichstag and Paris’ Pont Neuf.

So what is Christo’s agenda behind his massive projects? “My work is free, useless and irrational,” he said. In other words, he creates for the sake of creation, not to make a statement.

He stressed that he does not invent the politics nor the ecology of each project, rather it exists as an inherent part of the subject. For example, he intended to flaunt the underlying flatness of South Florida when wrapping the islands in Biscayne Bay. The “art” was the natural form of the islands, not the fabric.

Christo’s newest work in progress “Over the River” will suspend translucent fabric over a stretch of the Arkansas River in Colorado. The ideal view is from below while rafting along the changing course of the river. If all goes as planned, it will be completed and available for two weeks during 2012.

“Over the River” has been one of their most costly projects to date, with over $2 million spent thus far on pre-building costs. A substantial sum considering Christo and his team do not accept commissions, self-funding their projects based on sales of the drawings, collages and models of their works.

According to Christo, no one project has had the most significance to him and Jeanne-Claude. Rather he said each project has been “a slice of our life.” For instance, returning decades later to the Australian coastline they wrapped in the 1960s, they realized how crazy they were to embark in that installation which defined them and that era.

Christo has spent practically his whole life as an artist. Painting since he was six-years-old, it’s safe to say Christo followed his passion for art. The biggest problem is knowing what you like to do, he says, referring to aspiring artists.

When asked how he and Jeanne-Claude classified themselves and their art, Christo grinned and quoted his late wife, “Jeanne-Claude always used to say ‘Labels are good for wine, not for artists’.”  

*Article published on ArtistaMundo.com: Link 

© 2011, Alexandra Figueredo

To contact the writer, please email her at alexandra@artistamundocom. 

This is a great video

Key Biscayne's Art in Public Places works by Jose Bedia

By Alexandra Figueredo

While driving, biking or strolling down Crandon Boulevard in Key Biscayne, it is difficult to miss the colorful “mini plazas” located along the island’s main thoroughfare. These installations, collectively known as the Bedia Plazas, are named after artist Jose Bedia who designed them as part of the Village’s Art in Public Places initiative.

The Bedia Plazas highlight the fauna of the island and surrounding Biscayne Bay ecology. The artist fluidly blends images and text to feature various local creatures including the manatee, the manta ray, the anhinga bird, the butterfly and the barracuda. The dynamic and stimulating plazas create an interactive cultural experience by welcoming pedestrians to walk upon and enjoy the terrazzo floor murals.

Two new plazas are currently under construction with expected completion by early spring. The “Dragonfly Plaza” is situated near the pond north of the Library, and the “Pelican Plaza” graces the northeast corner of the Village Green.

Upon completion of the two newest Bedia Plazas, the Village will hold a formal dedication along with educational talks with the artist. In addition, a video series to be aired on the Village channel will chronicle the creation of the seven plazas with interviews of Bedia at the site of the various plazas and in his studio.

Bedia is an internationally renowned artist known for his works inspired by indigenous people. He has created other local public art works, most notably the centerpiece terrazzo floor murals and glass railings in the Adrienne Arsht Center.

For more information on Key Biscayne’s Art in Public Places, visit www.keybiscayne.fl.gov. 

© 2011, Alexandra Figueredo

The above article appeared in Key Biscayne Magazine February 2011 edition. To contact the writer, please email her at alexandra@artistamundo.com.

Brickell Gallery Night

By Alexandra Figueredo

Brickell Gallery Night combines art, music and fashion one night of the month in the heart of Brickell. Grab a gelato and check out the kiosks selling artisanal items around the Shops of Mary Brickell Village, then visit some of the businesses that participate in the cultural event.

Gallery Night is celebrating its second anniversary this December. It was founded to bring the local community together through art, as well as provide opportunities for the business community to network and support local artists and cultural institutions.

Spirit del Art Gallery

900 South Miami Avenue

Enjoy fine art, music and wine on Gallery Night. The Gallery represents a small selection of artists, and features the work of Amparo Garzon, a Colombian artist whose style is referred to as “magical realism.” For more information, visit http://www.spiritdelartgallery.com.

Green Grass Boutique

54 SW 10th Street 


Art meets fashion at this trendy clothing boutique, which showcases the latest designs in couture, as well as art splashing the walls. The boutique occasionally hosts fashion shows and invites one local artist per month to exhibit their work. For more information, visit www.greengrasshouse.com.

Red Bar

52 Southwest 10th Street

Imagine a dimly lit bar playing dance music and displaying floor to ceiling art work on the red walls. All the pieces are created by local artists and are available for sale. For more information, visit Redbargallery.com.

© 2011, Alexandra Figueredo

The above article appeared in Brickell Magazine January 2011 edition. To contact the writer, please email her at alexandra@artistamundo.com.

Interview with Rosa de la Cruz of the De la Cruz Collection

December 1, 2010

By Alexandra Figueredo

An interview with collector Rosa de la Cruz reveals the inspiration for this year’s exhibits, the schedule of events and her thoughts on Art Basel –Miami Beach.

Q: What new Collection/Exhibits will you be featuring during Art Basel?

A: The inspiration for this year's installation is a portrait by Salvador Dali of Carlos' mother -- Dolores Suero Falla -- from 1955. I thought it would be interesting to install works from our late 20th and 21st century art collection around this great historical and at the same visionary work. Dali was a futurist. His multiple subjectivities as a painter and film director no doubt reflect the art of the 21st century. Many artists today are more interested in process than in the final product. Like Dali, they are interested in film, music, theater and different mediums. Today art is about multiple definitions.

We are presently installing works from more than 60 artists -- Ugo Rondinone, Salvador Dali, Felix Gonzalez-Torres, Ana Mendieta, Rudolf Stingel, Aaron Curry, Sterling Ruby, Elad Lassry, Simon Starling, Nick Lobo, Damian Ortega, Mark Handforth, Arturo Herrera, Alex Hubbard, Kelley Walker, Wade Guyton, Christy Gast, Sarah Braman and others.

Q: Are there any special events you would like to highlight during Art Basel?

A: The space in the Design District will be open during Basel [starting] Tuesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. We will be serving coffee and pastries. No need to make reservations for the space.

Our home in Key Biscayne will be open for breakfast, Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., by appointment only. Reservations can be made by email.
We have no plans to open in the evening.

Q: What are your general feelings about this Art Basel season?

A: The wonderful thing about the Basel season is that you get to see so many people from the art world in Miami. This is a time of the year when Miami becomes a destination place. You should see the emails that we are getting from all over the world of persons that are interested in viewing the collection. There are many European collectors coming this year.

The De la Cruz Collection Contemporary Art Space is located at 23 NE 41st Street, Design District, Miami, Florida. For more information on the collection, visit www.delacruzcollection.org.

*This article was published on ArtistaMundo.com News, to see the article: Link
 

© 2010, Alexandra Figueredo
To contact the writer, please email her at alexandra@artistamundo.com.

Art of Giving

There is life outside of our circle. There are needs that go beyond our own and those of our family and acquaintances. Part of being a global citizen is understanding this concept and helping to improve the lives of others less fortunate. That will in turn improve our own lives.

One of the missions of ArtistaMundo.com is to promote the arts and provide exposure to artists. I'm very proud to say that we are also in the process of forming a Foundation which will support arts therapy and education for young people, including sick children.

I was so pleased when I read this article, because it parallels much of what we are trying to create with our own Foundation. More details to come!

Please be generous always, starting this holiday season. And remember to think outside of our own circle.

http://foxvalleysun.suntimes.com/news/2206519-418/art-teachers-aurora-losiniecki-supplies.html

The Spirit of Brickell Gallery Night

So you’ve just finished your meal at Perricone’s and plan to meet some friends at Baru for a drink later. What to do? Grab some gelato and then check out the outdoor art kiosks and participating galleries in the area. Tonight corresponds to Brickell Gallery Night.

Spirit del Art Gallery is one of the participating galleries located in the Shops of Mary Brickell Village. The majority of the work on display is from the principal artist Amparo Garzon. Garzon is from Colombia and specializes in a style which Director Tatiana Gomez refers to as magical realism.

The other artists represented at the gallery include Carla Fache, Natalia Preciado and Carmen Gusmao.

Spirit del Art Gallery

Where: 900 South Miami Ave. , Shops at Mary Brickell Village

When: Oct. 29, 2010, 7 – 10 pm

Viernes Culturales adds a spooky twist

By Alexandra Figueredo

ArtistaMundo.com

October 28, 2010

Little Havana’s popular arts and culture festival Viernes Culturales is bringing several treats to visitors on Friday, October 29. The lineup of performances includes poetry, ethnic dancers, break dance, live painting and more.

The new CoraZona, in the heart of the festival space, encompasses SW 8th Street from 14th to 16th Avenues. Beginning this month, the main stage will include 45 minutes of poetry and storytelling both in Spanish and English, based on a particular theme. Appropriately the theme will be Halloween this month and Miami Herald writer Enrique Fernandez, among others, will be sharing one of his pieces about a werewolf.

Local historian Dr. Paul George will lead a free walking tour of Little Havana with special emphasis on spooky tales. The tour starts at 7 pm in front of the Tower Theater. There will even be a pumpkin carving station next to the McDonald's on 8th Street to take the kids.

Viernes Culturales will still bring the usual salsa and bongo playing, local artists and artisans sharing their pieces and a domino competition held in Domino Park. The Tower Theater will be open and screening the last films of the Festival of New Spanish Cinema. And the art galleries will be open and displaying their latest exhibits and collections.

The program for the CoraZona Stage (at the end of Domino Plaza off of SW 8th Street and 15th Ave.):

7:00 pm: Poetry & Storytelling (Theme: Halloween/Spooky)

7:45 pm: Fina Escayola y su Estudiantes de Flamenco (Flamenco dance)

8:15 pm: Rhythm King Warriors (B-Boys break dance & Latin Percussion)

9:00 pm: "Yansan" Afro-Cuban Folkloric Dance by Marisol Blanco & Ire Obini

9:30-11:00 pm: Orquesta America (Salsa)

For more information and a full schedule of Viernes Culturales, visit http://www.viernesculturales.org/.

Viernes Culturales/Cultural Fridays Arts and Culture Festival

Where: SW 8th Street, from 13th to 17th Avenues

When: Friday, Oct. 29, 2010, 7 – 11 pm

Admission: Free 

© 2010, Alexandra Figueredo

To contact the writer, please email her at alexandra@artistamundo.com.

Dream Girls Review - Ain't no Dream

So I love Musicals. No, really… I really love ALL Musicals. My dream is to play Velma Kelly in a full production of Chicago one day and I'm actually writing my own Musical. Really.

I can't say I've ever NOT enjoyed a Musical. And Dream Girls was no exception. Except... 

I was a little disappointed this time. Mind you, I've never watched the movie nor the Musical so I really didn't have anything to compare it to. The only thing I did to prep for the show was read a full synopsis of all the Acts and the background information. 

Oh and I also YouTubed "And I am Telling You" sung by both Jennifer Holliday (the amazing original cast member who played Effie) and Jennifer Hudson (the studio version from the movie), upon advice of a friend. Watching those incredible performances made this version sound amateur-ish, if you can believe that. (Of course I can’t get this song out of my head and keep belting it with the gusto of a gospel singer, just without the gut-so.)

For those of you who are clueless, this is a story about a black all-girl singing group called "The Dreams" that try out for a singing contest at the Apollo Theater in NYC. There they meet both their soon-to-be slime ball manager Curtis Taylor as well as James "Thunder" Early, a popular playboy R&B singster a-la James Brown. The girls sing backup for “Thunder” until they finally get their own solo gig. The full-figured diva Effie White becomes the natural lead singer, followed by the daintier beauties Deena Jones and Lorrell Robinson. The group dynamic takes a turn for the worse when Curtis decides that Deena should become the lead singer because of her softer pop sound over that of meaty soulful Effie, and then Effie gets replaced all together. In the mix, there are jealousies, sour romantic relationships, conspiracies and drama. Lots of drama.  

Moya Angela who plays Effie definitely has a voice and can act, but she was often pitchy and flat on certain higher notes. And I already mentioned my thoughts on "And I am Telling You." I was looking forward to Syesha Mercado playing Deena Jones. Syesha is not only a second runner up on the seventh season of American Idol, but she's also an FIU graduate. I know her voice is supposed to seem purposely inferior to Effie's but I still feel her performance could have generally been stronger. Of the three girl-group members, Lorrell played by Adrienne Warren was the most consistent throughout the performance, keeping a balance between "pretty" and powerful vocals and excellent acting.

The energy of the ensemble was somewhat bipolar, going up and down throughout the show, and the singing was a bit flat at times. True I went on Sunday evening, which was the last night of the tour in Miami. Although I was hoping for a balls to the wall finale, I'll give the cast the benefit of the doubt and say a few long nights out on South Beach is enough to zap anyone's energy by the last day.


Constant scene changes did help the flow. Plus the set design and costumes were magnificent. And of course the show is backed by Award-winning script and music.

The best part of the show was overwhelmingly the character of James "Thunder" Early played by Chester Gregory. His performance was titillating and brought much-needed comic relief and excitement to the show. His electrifying high-pitched screams and “Give me an Oooh Oooh”'s thoroughly entertained the audience!

Overall the show was enjoyable for a lazy Sunday evening. Fortunately I’m no critic. And I really love all Musicals. Have I mentioned that?

Broadway Across America "Dream Girls" Musical at the Adrienne Arsht Center in Miami

Modeling in front of the beautiful architectural structure that is Ziff Ballet Opera House. I love how my Play Bill blends in with my dress.

In our seats. Pretty good ones too.

The cast after they've bowed and are starting to leave the stage.

© 2010, Alexandra Figueredo

To contact the writer, please email her at alexandra@artistamundo.com.