It took the Venezuelan artist three days to complete a large-scale drawing on one of the walls of the María Baños gallery at the Museum of Contemporary Art of the Americas. His in situ work allowed those of us fortunate enough to witness it to admire not only the final result, but also his creative process and the intricacies of its execution. Successes, errors, and corrections are rarely within reach of those of us who work in the realm of visual arts—let alone for visitors and art enthusiasts who typically attend openings to view finished works. The comprehensive vision of the entire process, from the mental framework of creation to the appreciation of creative pauses, imbues the understanding of a work of art with a transcendent dimension—augmented reality, to use a term of our times.
The piece was part of the exhibition Allegories of the Real and the Supernatural, a showcase that brought together the works of renowned artists Marco Caridad, Milixa Morón, and Elkin Cañas. The curatorial approach delved into the boundaries between the tangible and the intangible, the everyday and the mystical. Each work invites the viewer, through a complex interplay of symbols and visual narratives, to immerse themselves in a liminal space where the real intertwines with the mythical.
Elkin Cañas’ installation, in particular, explores rituals of energetic cleansing through the use of objects and sensory interaction. Divided into three sections, the first presents traditional cleansing tools, accompanied by graphite drawings that symbolize the expulsion of negative energies. At the center, incense and palo santo are introduced, appealing to the sense of smell. The drawings depict figures covering their noses, rejecting the purifying aromas. The third section highlights a Tibetan bell, alluding to sound as a purifying element. The depicted figures cover their ears, signifying a retreat from external noise into inner silence. Finally, the installation concludes with a rosary that evokes spirituality; here, the figures shield their eyes, alluding to blind faith and the tension between belief and perception. This work reflects how our senses shape the experience of the invisible, emphasizing the connection between physical objects and spiritual practices.
Cañas, in an ambivalent manner, invites us to interact with cosmic energy and the multiple existences that, according to him, coexist within the vast fabric of the universe. His work offers a sensory experience that challenges our perception of reality. The installation unfolds a series of ritual altars, each associated with the purification of energies, while the graphite drawings on the walls evoke the expulsion of negativity. Through these symbolic objects—incense and palo santo, a Tibetan bell, and a rosary—Cañas encourages us to reflect on the intersection of the physical and the metaphysical. Each piece challenges a sense: the aroma of incense compels us to cover our noses; the sound of the Tibetan bell prompts us to block our ears; and the rosary, in an act of spiritual blindness, suggests closing our eyes, thus addressing the limitations of sensory perception in the search for the sacred.
Elkin Cañas, a Colombian-born, Venezuelan-raised artist based in Miami, has been recognized and celebrated for his exceptional contributions to the arts. In 2019, he received a prestigious Certificate of Recognition for 'outstanding contribution to the arts in the United States of America' from Urbe University in Miami, Florida. In 2020, he was honored as the Portrait Society of America P.S.O.A. Ambassador for Miami and Latin America, highlighting his expertise and influence in portraiture. His talent as an artist also led to him being invited as a Speaker at the Figurative Art Convention (FACE) in 2018, where he engaged in a conversation with Peter Trippi, the Editor of Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine.
His international acclaim includes being a Portrait and Still Life Category finalist in the 2011-12 ARC Salon competition and a Drawing Finalist in the 2010-11 ARC Salon competition.
He also received an Honorable Mention at the Faber Castle Salon in Caracas, Venezuela, demonstrating his dedication and talent. Elkin Cañas holds an Arts degree in graphic design from the Caracas Institute of Design and is a former Arturo Michelena School of Art student. As the executive director of Miami International Fine Arts, Elkin Cañas continues to inspire the art community with his exceptional skills, impressive awards, and significant contributions to the world of art.
