U.S.
Premiere of Aruban Artists' "Microcosm" Exhibition
"Microcosm"
Runs September 17th
-
October 15th at the
Residence
of
the Dutch
Ambassador
Press
Preview and Breakfast on September
16th
"Micro
Macro" by Elisa Lejuez
Peters
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"Toys
of the Conquistador" by
Ciro
Abath
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|
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(Washington,
D.C.) - For the first time, ten contemporary Aruban artists will collectively
exhibit their work in the United States at
the
Residence of the Dutch Ambassador in Washington, D.C. The
"Microcosm"" exhibition is part of a series of events recognizing
Aruba's 25 years of Status Aparte within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The
multi-disciplinary exhibition, consisting of
site-specific
installations, sculpture, mixed-media assemblage, video, paintings, collage,
photography and drawings, brings together the artwork of noted Caribbean
artists: Ciro Abath, Telka Van Dodewaard, Rob ter Haar, Glenda Heyliger, Elisa
Lejuez Peters, Elvis
Lopez,
Alida Martinez, Osaira Muyale, Ryan Oduber and Hugo Palmar. These artists
represent the diverse and eclectic reality of the Aruban "Microcosm"
within the
Kingdom.
Several
of the Aruban artists have exhibited internationally and won
awards.
Alida Martinez won the 2010 residency prize at the Triennial International
of the Caribbean in the Dominican Republic with her installation "Mega-Bite
Candy."
Ryan Oduber received the Caribbean spotlight award for his cinematography of
the short film "Muhe Frida" on the life of Frida Kahlo during the 2011
Aruba International Film
Festival.
"Microcosm"
runs September 17th through October 15th and juxtaposes contemporary Aruban art
with the classic 17th century Dutch
masters
on display in the Residence producing conversations on how the microcosm of
Aruba defines itself within the macrocosm of the Kingdom of the
Netherlands.
The
Aruban art work engages with the existing Dutch masters and objects at the
Residence in dynamic ways creating thought provoking
contrasts.
Ciro Abath's sculpture, "Toys of the Conquistador" stands next to a
neo-classical sculpture in the garden of the Residence, providing a dialogue
between contemporary and classical art. Found objects are displayed in an 18th
century Dutch mahogany
dressing
cupboard. A photographic self-portrait of Telka Van Dodewaard is placed next to
a vanitas-influenced drawing of a woman, reflecting on the impermanence of life
and
beauty.
Curated
by Laura Roulet, Gijs Stork and Renwick Heronimo, a team of American, Dutch and
Aruban contemporary art experts, "Microcosm" is
the
first phase of an international multicultural and policy focused initiative to
create a platform where contemporary art serves as a medium to create awareness
and dialogue among these participating
regions.
As
part of this initiative, the Aruban artists will visit relevant art institutions
in Washington D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia,
Pittsburgh
and New York to forge new ties with like minded
individuals.
Additionally,
a policy seminar co-organized with the Organization of American States will
explore how Aruba is transforming itself from
an
economy based on tourism to a more diversified economy and a reliable
investment
partner.
"The 'Microcosm' exhibition illustrates that the Kingdom of the Netherlands
is a macrocosm that stretches over two continents offering
a
rich diversity of people and cultures. 'Microcosm' highlights the
multi-cultural foundation of the Kingdom and reveals a creative tradition that
extends from the Old Masters to today's contemporary Aruban artists," said
Dutch Ambassador Renée Jones-Bos.
"The
exhibition celebrates the unique relationship between Aruba and the Netherlands
and reveals how an autonomous entity thrives within the Kingdom," added the
Ambassador.
Journalists
are invited to a press preview of "Microcosm" on September 16th at 8am
at the Residence of the Ambassador. Aruban
artists
and curators will lead journalists through the exhibition. Dutch Ambassador
Renée Jones-Bos and Aruban Minister of Economic Affairs, Social Affairs and
Culture Michelle Hooyboer-Winklaar will also be present. Members of the media
must RSVP to attend the
press
preview breakfast by emailing
cy.bundy@minbuza.nl by September
12th.
"Microcosm"
will be open to the public by appointment only from September 17th to October
15th from 9:30am to 11:30am.
Reservations
must be made by
emailing
was-gma@minbuza.nl with the date and time
requested.
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For
more than 400 years, the Netherlands and the United States have been joined by
the values of freedom, justice and an
entrepreneurial
spirit. A vibrant economic force, the Netherlands is also the third largest
investor in America and a reliable trade and investment partner to the U.S. The
Royal Netherlands Embassy, Dutch Consulates General and Honorary Consuls in the
U.S. promote
strong
bilateral relations between the United States and the Netherlands in the areas
of peace and stability; international law; energy and climate; water management;
international human rights; and creative industries. The Netherlands and the
United States:Two
countries,
one spirit united by values, history and a vision of the
future.
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