Tag Archives: Havana

Lolo's Art Gallery. Matanza, Cuba

“ConnectArt”: Preparing For 13th Havana Biennial In Mantanzas, Cuba

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“ConnectArt”: Preparing For 13th Havana Biennial In Mantanzas, Cuba

by Daric Gill

“Absolute: Frequency”: Oil on maple panel. 21 1/4” x 30 1/2”. 12.11.18.
“Absolute: Frequency”: Oil on maple panel. 21 1/4” x 30 1/2”. 12.11.18.

In December I announced that my latest painting and I will be traveling to Cuba this spring.  I happily dropped off my painting to be shipped a couple days ago. In a few short weeks, a group of extremely talented American artists and I will head back to Cuba for another spectacular artist exchange. This time, we will be part of something bigger! My artwork is currently slated to go to Lolo Art Gallery in Mantanzas, Cuba. It will be a part of “ConnectArt “, a juried international exhibition that is part of the 13th Havana Biennial (Bienal de la Habana 2019). If you’re not familiar with the Havana Biennial, it is a world-renowned celebration of contemporary and community art. For the first time, the Biennial and other satellite art exhibitions will spread to neighboring cities, like Matanzas.

Lolo's Art Gallery. Matanza, Cuba
My visit to Lolo’s Art Gallery. Matanza, Cuba

As with many international ventures, the final details have incubated and flexing for months. I am extremely proud to announce that there are two types of exhibitions happening in Havana and Matanzas:  the Havana Biennial which is being held in multiple city locations in Cuba and two special exhibitions for Ohio artist (one in Havana and one in Matanzas). My work is included as part of the special exhibitions.

Rachel Valdés, “Reality Project. Blue Cube,” presented in the 2015 edition of Detrás del Muro during the 12th Havana Biennial Courtesy Artpulse Magazine

This April, I will be heading back to my Cuban friends during one of the most exciting times to be there! Not only are the people and culture phenomenal, so too are the artists. All included Biennial cities will become thoroughly alive with artwork, spilling from the walls of galleries and museums, into the streets of each community artwork. I’m particularly excited to see the open-air art exhibition, Detrás del Muro (Behind the Wall), a collection of street installations by 71 artists. This year it extends to the Malecón, a beautiful broadway and seawall which stretches for 5 miles along the coast in Havana. You can read more about Detrás del Muro here.

[ Here’s a look into our last artist exchange to Cuba ]

Lolo’s Art Gallery. Matanza, Cuba

 

Awarded Development & Research Grant; Invited To Cuban Artist Exchange

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Awarded Development & Research Grant; Invited To Cuban Artist Exchange, & Other Amazing News

by Daric Gill

I’m incredibly enthused to announce a handful of very exciting developments. A few months ago I was graciously invited to take part in a Cuban Artist exchange. Today, I was notified that I’ve been awarded a generous Artists in the Community Aminah Brenda Lynn Robinson Professional Development & Research grant from the Greater Columbus Arts. This funding will aid in the travel expenses and research costs for the trip in late August. Read on for more.

Additionally, an art exhibition will be held at the Hilton Downtown Columbus in 2019, which will include work driven by the inspiration from the trip. The overall goal of these efforts are to build a friendship between these two vibrant cultures through exchange of great story-telling. Moreover, there are also prospects of the exhibition traveling to other locations, including an international exhibition in Havana, Cuba.

As my work has developed, so too has the desire for fostering intimate social connectivity through immersive story-telling. I fully expect to chronicle the vibrancy of Cuba as well as document the journey of the resulting artwork from start-to-finish. This documentation will be presented in tandem with the final work I will publish here on my website via process videos, photographs, and a set of narrative articles. These articles will also champion all funding, support networks, and communal partnerships that have aided in the process.

These are simply amazing opportunities! I’m tremendously grateful for such a loving and supportive group of people who have worked to make these types of ventures possible. Thank you dearly.

The Arts Council receives its funding primarily through the City of Columbus’ Hotel/Motel Bed tax. As Columbus encourages people into her city through interesting culture and attractions, a portion of the taxes garnered from the hospitality gets cycled back into that same rich culture. In this way, I’d like to thank the public most of all for your continued interest in Columbus and the arts.

 

 

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