Shooting Abstractly, about abstract perspectives, and Aperture, focused on people, places and things.

Shooting Abstractly is a group exhibition of contemporary photographers who blur the boundaries between what is being seen and what the content truly is.  Artists include George Rousee, Michael Flomen, Dario Basso, Michael Wolf, Ola Kolehmainen and Aitor Ortiz.

On the north gallery, Aperture.

 The mind’s eye is a human being’s ability for visual perception, imagination, visualization and memory. In painting, the degree to which a representation causes this important function to be stressed or challenged is in direct correlation with its level of abstraction. Along the blurred line between the two art forms, where representation ends and abstraction begins (or vice versa), is where Ruggeri’s work lies.    

Painted on translucent Mylar and wood (both cut out to form a silhouette of the object) as well as canvas, Ruggeri’s pieces constitute a meditation on the natural world. Her subjects are quite organic and quotidian, as compositions display piles of rock, canopies of leaves, dirt holes or tree stumps. What becomes immediately apparent is how these familiar forms are used to tinker with the viewer’s sense of the real.

From the collection acquired by the Museo del Barrio, NY, Signature Art Gallery presents, Stillness by Gladys Triana. This photographic exhibit portrays the ambiguous nature of the object after being placed in an unusual context with the element of manipulated light as an important factor. Also featured Triana’s highly meticulous and detailed installations:  Pyramidal Format, The Paragraph, Spiral Format and The Tension of Silence dealing with everyday objects as well.

More on Signature visit http://signatureart.blogspot.com

This show will offer a distinctive and chronological perspective of Lam’s work by showcasing definite states of his visual development, starting from the beginning of his career in the early 20’s and 30’s, and emphasizing the moment when his painting turned iconic exceeding the boundaries of his natal Sagua la Grande (Cuba) during the 40’s, 50’s, 60’s and 70’s.
Wifredo Lam, One Man Show   features a strong selection of over 40 paintings and sculpture that best represent the different periods of Lam’s prolific career.

On View until April  30
Fernando Botero – New Sculpture
Frank Stella - Five Decades of Paintings and Sculpture
Guillermo Muñoz Vera – Eight days in Havana

The title of the present exhibition gives hints for different readings. The first may be related to the spatial limitations of the building where traditionally art is exhibited, but another and perhaps more challenging reading questions social and anthropological aspects that originate with immigration.

The impulse of the idea for the exhibition was born with the spontaneous decision of the American government to build a wall between Mexico and the United States. If in the beginning the two nations were separated by the Rio Grande and later the crush barrier was added, in the future we will be walled. The initiative is closer to a war entrenchment than a proof of civilization, or at least it is the failure of civilization between two geographically twinned countries.

Paradoxically in a cyberspace age physical borders do no exist, it is only left to look at the sky and then turn our eyes to the earth and notice that another wall is raised. It is for this reason that with the work of art and its inherently free interpretation the limits of language are abolished stimulating a dialogue between both countries. Reynaldo Thompson López , curator and artist.

For additional information call 305.284.2542, or email Logan at logan@miami.edu.

With his upcoming exhibition, Babylon, Luis Garcia-Nerey compares today’s society with that of Babylon, the City of the ancient Mesopotamia. Babylon was a small town in it’s early years but sprung up into a major city by the beginning of the third Millennium BC, at the dawn of the dynasties. The city developed into a center of learning and scientific development. Babylon encouraged the study of literature, medicine, chemistry, mathematic, astronomy and architecture. Over-development was eventually its downfall.

Garcia-Nerey believes that the same advances and possible fate exist in our society but the difference is in scale. “In today’s landscape, our society requires a more rapid pace (and more and more space) for growth; [resulting in] an overdevelopment of [the] community which ultimately leads to the recurrence of history”

Galerie Bertin-Toublanc will celebrate the Chinese New Year with trendsetting artists on display including Chinese artist Xu Yongkang as well as South Korean artist Kim Joon. From body art to acrylic paint canvas, the gallery will bring in the Chinese New Year with a slate of exotic art techniques.

Unlike his past works, today Xu Yongkang creates painted babies with vivid expressions and positions on canvas with acrylic paints in order to provoke discussion about the importance of cloning and the future developments of humankind.

On the other end of human life, Kim Joon uses adult bodies in his photographs which he describes as “paintings”. He uses water based markers to create the designs on human bodies which appear almost like tattoos. His process involves taking a piece of sponge and covering it in a layer of traditional cloth that is used as fabric liner in Korean sewing. He also layers on mediums and finally varnishes the surface to create a more firm appearance. Joon remains fascinated with the tensions between the mind and body.

The 34th Annual Coldwell Banker Miami Beach Festival of the Arts will be taking place on Saturday and Sunday February 9-10, 2008. This nationally recognized event brings over 50,000 visitors, both young and old, to North Beach’s seaside promenade to browse amongst the fine art on exhibit while enjoying an array of performing arts.

Established in 1974, it is Miami Beach’s oldest art festival. Over the years, the Festival has evolved from a local street show to one of the most prestigious cultural art festivals on the East Coast.  This signature community event showcases the juried artwork of over 150 artists from across the nation, exhibiting paintings, sculpture, glass, ceramics, jewelry, and photography

More info Click here