We hear about new art exhibits all the time, whether in our neighborhood, in the next town, or other sites in and around Manhattan. We hear about its opening, dates and the times of viewing, and other facts. But, we don’t always hear how an exhibit comes together, or what it means in the context of our life, or time in history. The Katonah Museum of Art, located in Westchester, has a wonderful new exhibit of works by contemporary Cuban artists, from the collection of Howard and Patricia Farber.
A former real estate investor, New York City resident, Howard Farber began collecting art in the early 1970’s. He started with early American art from around 1910 to 1935. “It was a time of great change,” he said, “plus, it was very inexpensive.” His interest and education in the art world increased, and he eventually knew he had an eye for collecting. What he purchased for a thousand soon went to five times that, and then one hundred times that. “I was hooked,” he said. Next, his eye was captured by the works of contemporary Chinese artists after seeing pieces in a Hong Kong gallery. He was mesmerized. “This was around 1990,” he said, “and the art reflected the emotions aroused by the Tiananmen Square protests.”
After this period of collecting, his eye focused on contemporary Cuban artists while on a trip to the country. He was mesmerized again. “Russia was pulling out, it was the end of the USSR, and trade between the two countries suffered. What began was the ‘special period’ of extreme poverty and suffering.” What he saw in his collections were original and daring artists who were expressing their feelings about the upheaval in their country.
Viewing the pieces is a sobering and moving experience. The artists have combined their love of country, their devotion to religion, and their desperate attempts to hold onto hope into striking and piercing artwork. “The Sacred Heart,” (artist, Lazaro Saavedra Gonzalez, acrylic on cardboard), features a weary image of Christ holding a heart crowned with thorns. In a bubble over his head, we see the flag of the United States in his thoughts. In another bubble, pointing to his mouth, we see the Russian flag, an indication that outwardly, he supports Socialist ideals. In other works, we see images of American icons, such as the Nike logo, a Salem cigarette, and even a pair of Tommy Hilfiger underwear. There’s a sense of humor in some of the works, even ones that feature the exodus of Cubans to the United States. In “The Raft,” (artist, Armando Marino, watercolor on paper), uses a vintage Buick to represent the raft, and powering the raft is a collection of bare feet, a reminder of the economic hardships.
Cuba is less than 100 miles from the U.S. border; the people’s suffering and longing for peace continue. It does Americans good to keep minds open to the troubles of our neighbors, to seek ways to understand other ways of life, and celebrate the desire for freedom around the world. Take a visit to the Katonah Museum of Art to see this collection.
Lectures, tours, workshops, children’s programs, memberships available.
Cuba Avant-Garde: Contemporary Art from the Farber Collection
Through September 19, 2010
Katonah Museum of Art
134 Jay Street
Katonah, NY 10536
www.katonahmuseum.org
Artwork, from top:
Rubén Torres Llorca
What we were then, we are no longer (Nosotros los de entonces, ya no somos los mismos), 1987; Mixed media on cardboard; The Farber Collection Miami, courtesy of Cuba Avant-Garde Inc. © Fernando Rodríguez Falcón
Elsa Mora
Loss of Sense, 2001; Digital print, 15.75 x 17.75 inches; The Farber Collection, Miami; Courtesy of Cuba Avant-Garde Inc.; © Elsa Mora
Armando Mariño
The Raft, 2000; Watercolor on paper, 60 x 81 inches; The Farber Collection, Miami; Courtesy of Cuba Avant-Garde Inc.; © Armando Mariño
