My Highlights from PINTA NY 2013
My selection includes a few artists I have followed for a number of years (Nicola López, Dario Escobar, and Carlos (Dzine) Rolón) as well as a few I am just learning about (Martí Cormand and Ricardo Alcaide). I didn’t set out to make a thematic selection but in retrospect I suppose I do see certain conceptual affinities with these works—primarily around the idea of systems, whether it be in reference to architecture, art history, or visual culture. Nicola López and Ricardo Alcaide share an interest in exploring notions of space, architecture, abstraction, and the built environment. Dario Escobar, Carlos (Dzine) Rolón, and Martí Cormand create conceptual based works that reference diverse aspects of visual culture culled from art history, popular, and street culture.
Nicola López, Sentries series, 2013, at Arróniz Arte Contemporáneo
Nicola López, Sentries series, 2013, at Arróniz Arte Contemporáneo
Martí Cormand, Formalizing their concept: Cildo Meireles’ Cruzeiro do Sul, 1969-1970, 2013, at Josée Bienvenu
Martí Cormand, Formalizing their concept: Luis Camnitzer’s Coca-Cola Bottle Filled with Coca-Cola 1973, 2013, at Josée Bienvenu
Dario Escobar, Composition No. 20, at Josée Bienvenu
Carlos Rolon (Dzine), Untitled (Black Mirror Crest), 2013, at Salon 94
Ricardo Alcaide, Intrusions, 2013, at Baró Galeria
Ricardo Alcaide, Intrusion 7, 2013, at Baró Galeria
Artists to watch in 2014:
In addition to the above artists I’m excited about the work of a number of emerging artists, including: Firelei Báez who makes drawings and sculptures of intricately rendered hybrid figures that refer to Caribbean history, and popular and imagery that intersect with issues of race and gender. David Rios Ferreira makes drawings and videos that simultaneously reference cartoons, media, folklore, and history to examine aspects of childhood. Gamaliel Rodríguez paints large-scale canvases of desolate industrial parks rendered with deft precision using Sharpie pens and oil. And most recently I saw the work of Élan Jurado at El Museo del Barrio. Élan does daring performance and video work that collapse various categories through references to aspects of the history of performance, body art, and gestural abstraction.
My number one tip for collecting art:
Take the time to really get to know the work of each artist whose work you are drawn to by keeping up with gallery and museum exhibitions, art fairs, reading articles, books, blogs, and visiting artists’ studios. Open studio tours can be great and non-intimidating way of seeing new art, meeting artists and other like-minded art enthusiasts. Seek out dealers, curators, and artists who share your interest and sensibility and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Zoom in on a few artists and focus your collecting rather than trying to encompass everything, which can be overwhelming, particularly for more novice collectors. Most importantly, buy what you love and what really resonates with your tastes and aesthetics, and have fun!
