Happenings
News and Reviews & Events
From time to time we will present to you information about things relating to the Caribbean and Latin America, its art and its culture. We hope that you find these pieces interesting. If you know of a new art exhibit, a book or a movie that would interest other Caribbean and Latin American art lovers, please let us know. We would be glad to include your information on this page.
From Here to Haiti
Thanks for joining us at this wonderful art show!
This fund-raising art show was a joint venture between MedaliaArt and the United Haitian Artists (UHA) and took place in the studio of artist Patricia Brintle. This show featured the works of over 30 international and Haitian artists, many of them living in NY. This was an opportunity to meet the artists, help Haiti, and obtain a wonderful new piece of art at the same time.
A portion of all sales was donated to From Here To Haiti, LTD., a not-for-profit corporation whose purpose is to raise funds for the benefit of the people of Haiti by repairing non-governmental buildings used for public assembly, in particular Catholic and/or Christian churches and their related structures and by the creation of local employment opportunities for the people of Haiti through that repair work.
Why the world is heading to Miami to buy Cuban art?
Read this insightful article from CNN about about the Cuban and Latin American art scene in Miami.
(CNN) -- One of the few Cuban commodities you can buy in the United States is art -- and the place to get it is Miami. For years a hub for Hispanic communities in the United States, Miami is now an important gateway for the new art of Cuba -- and Latin America more generally....click to continue
From Here to Haiti
Join us at this wonderful art show!
This joint venture between MedaliaArt and the United Haitian Artists (UHA) will take place in the studio of artist Patricia Brintle. This show features the works of over 25 Haitian artists, many of them living NY. This is an opportunity to meet the artists, help Haiti, and obtain a wonderful new piece of art at the same time.
Thank you all who visited, it was great meeting you. Keep watching this page for information about Haitian, Cuban and Brazilian art events.
Simple Longevity Secrets Of My Grandmother
by Vadim Dambreville
Maria Overt Savain, who passed away on June 29th 2010 at the age of 107, was characterized by the most unassuming simplicity and modesty. Mayotte, as she was known, was the wife of the noted Haitian artist Petion Savain and the mother-in-law of another famous Haitian artist, Claude Dambreville. Her grandson Vadim has chosen to commemorate her life by writing a book about her and her life. This book is an e-book, available for download.
For information about purchase go to http://www.herlongevitysecrets.com
The Healing Power of Art
Works of art by Haitian children after the earthquake
For 35 terrifyingly long seconds the children of Haiti experienced on January 12, 2010, as an earthquake forever changed the world they knew. Shortly after the devastation, the First Lady of Haiti, Madame Elisabeth D. Préval, called upon Haitian Philippe Dodard and his fellow artists to create a safe place for children to express how they had been touched by the earthquake. Plas Timoun (The Children's Place), operating from converted buses at two sites in Port-au-Prince, uses the power of art-specifically the visual and performing arts-to bring healing to the children of Haiti.
This powerful, moving video depicts the devastation in a very personal way.
Love and Haiti - Condé Nast Traveler - September 2009
"You can call Haiti the Cleopatra of countries—its ravishing natural assets, thrilling history, and magnetic culture have long made select visitors swoon. Its tortured past, however, has made it the Caribbean nation that tourism largely forgot. But this, reports Amy Wilentz, may have to change.
This is a love song. It's a Haitian love song, played on three drums and an electric slide guitar that never sounds quite on key. No question, you can dance to it."
This is the start of a wonderful article about Haiti - a must read for anyone interested in a clear picture of Haiti today. Ms Wilentz doesn't gloss over the myriad of problems facing Haiti, but her love for the country and her belief in Haiti's incredible appeal shine through. For those contemplating a visit this will give you a clear picture of where to go, what to see and what to expect.
The
Life of a Haitian Artist
Paintings Reflect Beauty of His Country Not Misery
We are pleased to announce that we will be featuring work by Lesly Cetout in the fall. This an exciting new artist from Pétion-Ville does not paint the struggles of Haitian life, but rather the beauty of his country and its people. For a review of his work, his goals and his life in Haiti as a struggling artist, please read this informative, well-written article about life today in Haiti by Theresa Smolen.
Dreamers
written and directed by Jorgen Leth
Recently, we were privileged to view, “Dreamers”, a film written and directed by Jorgen Leth. The film, presented at the Scandinavia House in New York City, was part of a series of films on Haiti that Leth has written and directed. Jorgen Leth is Denmark’s Royal Honorary Consul to Southern Haiti. He has adopted Haiti as his home and presently resides in Jacmel. Leth is well known for his book, Billeder Fra Haiti-Images from Haiti, written in Danish and English (printed in 2000). The book is a combination of interviews with artists and beautiful color prints of the artwork. In many ways, “Dreamers” is this book on film!
The screening was the United States premiere of the film. “Dreamers”, which will invariably become a classic, features the multi talented artists of Haiti. The documentary explores the talent, creativity, motivation, imagination and optimism of the Haitian artists. In the film we are treated to interviews with Andre Pierre, Rigaud Benoit, Wilson Bigaud, Felipe August Salnave, Preffet Duffault, Fortune Gerard, Prosper, Antilhomme, Philome Obin, Jasmin Joseph, and Louise St. Fleurant.
It is very interesting to hear these artists speak of that which motivates them. Leth presents them as dreamers, mystics and storytellers who live in a country where spiritual forces play an active role in their everyday lives. Andre Pierre is moved by his strong belief in Voodoo. He relates everything to the Voodoo loas which inspire him and which rule his world. For Jasmin Joseph it is his imagination and the “friends” in his mind. As he strokes his pet rabbit it is easy to understand why rabbits are quite often subjects on his canvasses! Gerard speaks of nights when he cannot sleep and then Jesus speaks to him and encourages him to paint.
Leth captures the essence of these famous artists as they relate their personal stories in their own surroundings. It is truly a celebration of their creativity and optimism. To have so little and to beautifully create so much is a tribute to the Haitian spirit. Jorgen Leth, in “Dreamers” offers the world some insight into that inexhaustible creativity that is uniquely Haitian!
Our Trips to Haiti
We have made a number of trips to Haiti to meet with artists and select new paintings for your viewing. Read all about some of our trips, and see some of our wonderful photos.
Feb. 2000 - Feb. 1999 - Feb. 1998
| Title | Subject |
|---|---|
| Bob Corbett's Mailing List | For those of you that are not aware of the wonderful mailing list run by Bob Corbett, we present a little introduction and an invitation to join. For up-to-the-minute information about all things Haitian, join this great list. |
| Book Review | We have read a very interesting book about Haiti, "Best Nightmare on Earth-A Life in Haiti" by Herbert Gold. In this impassioned memoir by American journalist/novelist Gold, he reflects on Haiti's history, folklore, politics, voodoo, and people as observed during his four decades of travels. We encourage you to read our full review, and then read the book! It provides a very personal look, from a non-Haitian point of view, inside this exotic, troubled, and wonderful land. Haiti: Best Nightmare on Earth |
| Collection of Jonathan Demme | An exhibition of more than 100 paintings called "Island on Fire: Passionate Visions of Haiti From the Collection of Jonathan Demme," was on view at the Equitable Gallery, 787 Seventh Avenue, at 51st Street, New York, NY. Mr. Demme, the director of "Silence of the Lambs," "Married to the Mob" and "Philadelphia," among others, owns one of the most comprehensive collections of Haitian art in the United States. The full text of the announcement of the exhibit can be found here. If you are interested in the exhibition catalog, check here. |
| Title | Author | Subject |
|---|---|---|
| Cuban Art Revolution | Kelly Crow | Read about The Cuban Art Revolution from in the Wall Street Journal |
| Observations on the Chan Mas | Le Grace Benson | During her recent trip to Haiti, Ms Benson found herself thinking about all the art that she saw, both on the street and in the galleries. Read her observations about the importance of art to Haiti and Haitians. |
| Warped Images from Garry Pierre-Pierre's Lens | Rebuttal from Andre Juste | We received the following letter from noted Haitian artist Andre Juste. Mr. Juste takes exception to the many of the comments by made by Mr. Pierre-Pierre. Please read this for a different "take" on today's Haitian Art scene. |
| Art Review: Haitian Art Bursting Out | Garry Pierre-Pierre | We recently read this very interesting and informative article in The New York Times regarding Haitian Art today. We present it here for your information. |
