Making Space for Modern Art
The atmosphere was a buzz during opening night at El Carmen Galeria de Arte Saturday night. ArteAntigua was able to make not one, but two visits to the gallery for it’s grand opening and both times the gallery was packed. Visitors had the rare opportunity to speak with a host of nationally renowned artists, including Marlov Barrios and Victor Hugo Santos.
Enthusiasm was resonating from Barrios who is excited about the gallery’s commitment to modern/contemporary art. The two-level gallery devotes the bottom floor to local landscapes, but the top floor is completely dedicated to modern creations. Barrios eagerly shared his passion, his ideas, his art, and his thoughts about Guatemala claiming the poignant realities of his country means Guatemalans “need to invent, to paint in order to survive.” Barrios boasted extreme pride for his country and its strong sense of culture asserting it “very complete, very profound.”
Aside from promoting modern art at El Carmen, Barrios has a host of projects he is involved including an artists collective, La Torana and a workshop focused on graphical experimentation and contemporary art. ArteAntigua will explore these projects and more in an upcoming interview with the successful artist.
In the meantime, art enthusiasts would be wise to keep up with El Carmen. Director Luis Muñoz Fuentes says the gallery plans to feature a new artist every month.
Popularity: 8% [?]