The Latin American Studies Program at Cornell is sponsoring an art exhibit, including works of a young artist from the Cuban Higher Art Institute, from March 23 to April 5 in the Willard Straight Art Gallery.
The exhibit, titled "Building Cultural Bridges," includes a well-balanced collection of paintings, photographs, graphic art and framed murals. The central theme of the exhibit is a contemporary artistic expression of the tensions between rapid urbanization and the destruction of the natural habitat, in particular the tropical rain forest. The exhibit will be on display March 23 through April 5. Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., weekends.
In addition to the "Building Cultural Bridges" exhibit, some of the artists will be in Ithaca to meet with students, faculty and community groups to discuss their work.
José Luis Farinas, one of the visiting artists, is best-known for his intricate pen and ink sketches. As described by Cuban art critic Carlos Weil, "The extraordinary imagination of Farinas is manifested at its best in his sketches, where he transports us to our century via the works of Bosch and Brueghel."
When describing the exhibit, José Pratt, another Latin American art critic said, "The powerful generation of Cuban painters born in the 1950s shows a professional approach to the techniques of drawing and color. They represent a leap forward into a new configuration guided by a sure handling of their respective techniques. All of these are present in the works of José Luis Farinas."
Farinas will discuss the exhibit in a public presentation Tuesday, March 31, at 12:15 p.m. in 153 Uris Hall. The opening reception for the exhibit will be April 1 at 5:30 p.m. in the Willard Straight Art Gallery. For more information, contact Mary Jo Dudley at the Latin American Studies Program at 255-3345.
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