Happenings
News and Reviews & Events
From time to time we will present to you information about
things relating to the Carribean 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 Carribean and Latin American art lovers, please let
us know. We would be glad to include your information
on this page.
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.
Haiti - The Legacy of an Undying Spirit
by Patricia Brintle
The spirit of the Haitian people is undying. It was there with the Tainos when they fought the Spanish, with the Africans on their passage, with the leaders of the revolution as well as with those who tended the fields, during hurricanes and drought as well as ideal weather conditions, when they work and when they party...and that spirit is still there now as they rise from the dust of the earthquake.
Langston Hughes Community Library & Cultural Center
100-01 Northern Blvd.
Corona, NY 11368
May 1-June 30th (artist's reception May 22nd, 1-4 p. m.)
Haiti Cultural Exchange, a nonprofit organization founded to develop, present and promote the cultural expressions of the Haitian people, presents a tribute to the victims of the Haiti Earthquake.
Circle of Solidarity will feature prominent poets, musicians, artists and public figures and will give us the opportunity to express our loss, honor the victims, salute those who have provided frontline service, and symbolize our unity with Haiti.
Date: Saturday, March 13, 2010
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Place: the Brooklyn Museum, Iris B. Cantor Auditorium; 200 Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn NY.
Admission is free. We invite guests to send us the names of your loved ones lost during this tragedy to be honored in a moment of silence during the ceremony. Seating is limited, so please respond to this email if you plan to attend.
With performances by Buyu Ambroise and the Blues in Red Band, Katia Cadet, and Obed Jean-Louis; poets, Michele Voltaire Marcelin, Gina Ulysse, Robert Large and Jennifer Celestin; dancers from The New School and Haitian Folklore Dancer Peniel Guerrier.
You are cordially invited to attend the 5th Annual Patricia Brintle Open Studio. Mention Medalia when purchasing
and receive a 10% discount on any of the paintings. This might be the perfect time to pick up one of her wonderful paintings!
When: Sunday January 17th, 2010
Time: 1:00pm to 8:00pm
Where:
1446 Utopia Parkway,
Whitestone, NY 11357
Haitian Artists Exhibit
A centerpiece of African American history and culture on Long Island, NY since 1970, this 6,000-square-foot museum, centrally located in Hempstead, offers a rotating series of exhibits showcasing local and national African-American artists. The current exhibit features the works of a number of Haitian American artists and will run through mid-January.
African American Museum
Hempstead, 110 North Franklin Street
516-572-0730
Open: Wednesday - Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
"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.
MedaliaArt and artist Patricia Brintle will showcase the art of Haiti, at “The Artists in the Attic” in Huntington, NY on August 7-9, 2009.
The Yankee Peddler is located near downtown Huntington, home of many wonderful restaurants, shops and art galleries. Also, on Saturday, August 8th, from 7 am-12 pm there will be a farmers market/antique show in the Church Street parking lot across from the Yankee Peddler, home of “The Artists in the Attic.”
Show hours: Friday, August 7 Reception, Saturday, August 8 – Sunday, August 9, 2009 11-5 p.m.
Opening night reception will be held Friday, August 7, 2009 from 5 to 7 p.m.
“The Artists in the Attic” is located on the second floor of the 100-year-old Yankee Peddler Antiques building, 1038 New York Avenue in Huntington Station, NY. (see map)
For additional information contact:
Ruth Kahn, 631-246-5527 webmaster@medalia.net
The FIAF Gallery presents a special exhibition of Haitian paintings from the personal collection of the "godfather" of this year's World Nomads Haiti festival: Academy Award-winning American film director Jonathan Demme. Known for his films Silence of the Lambs and the recent Rachel Getting Married, Demme curates the exhibition featuring the works of ten Haitian artists. A long-time Haitian art enthusiast and avid collector, Demme has been a fervent advocate for Haiti through the years. He's embraced Haiti both through his films and his collaborations with Haitian writers such as Edwige Danticat and musicians such as RAM and Wyclef Jean.
Though each of the self-taught artists showcased in the exhibition has a unique style of painting, their topic—the rich cultural landscape of daily life in Haiti—unites them, presenting a detailed and poignant portrait of their country.
FIAF Gallery - 22 East 60th Street
Tues–Fri: 11am–6pm - Sat: 11am–5pm
Thursday, May 7–Saturday, June 13
Free and open to the public
World Nomads Haiti - May 1–27, 2009
World Nomads, FIAF's annual exploration of transculturalism in the 21st century, returns in May with a focus on Haiti—a country brimming with a rich and vibrant cultural life that is both fiercely original and stunningly universal.
- Music
- Haitian Freedom Celebration @ S.O.B.'S
- Monday, May 18 at 9pm
- Featuring Barikad Crew, Haitian Fresh, and CaRiMi
- Special guest Wyclef Jean; Hosted by Papa Jubé Altino
- Haiti Optimiste: -
A Global Acoustic & Visual Evening
- Wednesday, May 27 at 8pm
- Featuring Emily King, Michou and surprise guest
- Hosted by Papa Jubé Altino, David Belle,
- Emmanuelle Chiche, and Harry Hjardemaal
- Literature
- Writing & Reading Multilingual Haiti
- Saturday, May 2 at 1pm
- With Madison Smartt Bell and Dany Laferrière
- Frankétienne–Haitian Identity
- Saturday, May 2 at 3pm
- Krik ? Krak !
- Saturday, May 2 at 5pm
- With Michele V. Marcelin, Etienne Télémaque, Alix Buyu Ambroise, and Martina Bruno
- Cinema
- World Nomads Haiti
- Tuesdays, May 5–26
- With appearances by David Belle, Jonathan Demme,
- Louis Ebby Angel, Michèle Montas, and Michelange Quay
- Maysles Institute
- Haitian Documentary Series
- Sunday–Thursday, May 3–28
- Visual Arts
- Jonathan Demme Collection: -
Inspiration of Haitian Art
- Thursday, May 7–Saturday, June 13
- Language Center & Library
- Atelier : Haïti d’hier à aujourd’hui -
@ The Language Center
- Friday, May 1 at 5pm
-
- Haitian Literature Exhibition -
@ The Haskell Library
- Opens on Saturday, May 2
-
The International Caribbean Art Fair
ICAFair will showcase works from around the Caribbean
November 6 - 9, 2008
The Waterfront (aka The Tunnel)
222 12th Avenue -
New York City, New York 10001
Show Hours
Preview Night Benefit and Collectors Reception
Thursday, November 6, 7 - 10 p.m.
Friday, 10am – 8pm
Saturday, 10am – 8pm
Sunday, 11am – 6pm
Mark your calendar and plan to visit us at our booth (#46).
We look forward to seeing you there!
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
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
by Herbert Gold.
Transaction Publishers; 2Rev Ed edition (March 14, 2001)
Best Nightmare on Earth: a Life in Haiti
by Herbert Gold.
Prentice Hall Press, 1991
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.
Guest
Commentaries
| 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 recently 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 |
By 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. |
