What does it mean today to speak of lineage, of ancestry, of descent? Is it a burden, a continuity, a scar, a myth? This exhibition offers no definitive answers, but instead opens a fertile space for visual inquiry. In a time when identities are rapidly reshaped and familial narratives fracture or fade, the works brought together in Descendencias suggest a return to the intimate—not as nostalgia, but as a gesture of critical re-engagement with what still defines us, often beyond our will.
The island as body, the body as frontier, the home as archive, intimacy as resistance. This exhibition traces a dual journey: that of Lianet Martínez, working from Cuba, and Liza Camilo, based in the United States—and that of the viewer, who is invited to traverse the visual and emotional terrain they lay before us. Both artists begin with the female body as a site of memory, politics, and transformation, placing it at the heart of their creative inquiry. In their hands, the body is not mere representation—it becomes matter, language, an intimate gesture, and a collective mirror. Through sculpture and photography, the two artists construct a space where personal narratives echo larger cultural histories, and where the intimate becomes a portal to the universal.
In this new iteration, works by artists who have been part of the project since its inception—but who, due to spatial and logistical limitations, could not be included in the initial presentation—are now brought to the fore. Their presence in this space reaffirms the museum’s commitment to constructing a richer, more open, and profoundly plural narrative of contemporary Cuban art. As outlined in the proposal submitted to the Instituto Cervantes in São Paulo—and in an effort to frame these curatorial actions beyond strictly local or national perspectives—it is worth underscoring that Cuba, a small archipelago in the Caribbean, has exerted a political and symbolic influence far exceeding its geographical size, leaving an indelible mark on the history of the continent and on what is often referred to as the Global South. Since the triumph of the Cuban Revolution in 1959, the country embraced a political model aligned with the ideologies of the Eastern Bloc. This historical shift cleaved the Cuban cultural landscape in two: between those who remained on the island—operating within a system tightly regulated by the state—and those who left, carrying with them a complex, displaced, yet resilient creative identity.
Cuba is an archipelago nestled in the Antilles of the Caribbean Sea. Its modest size, however, belies the political and historical weight it has carried in the region and across much of the Global South. Its unique political trajectory has left a profound imprint on the historical and ideological evolution of the Americas for nearly a century. Following the triumph of the Cuban Revolution in 1959, the nation veered from its previous course and aligned itself ideologically and structurally with the Eastern Bloc, under the leadership of the now-defunct Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. At that time, the world was starkly divided into two distinct economic and social systems—two antagonistic blocs that regarded each other with disdain and engaged in relentless ideological confrontation.
Beyond its undeniable artistic merit, this exhibition offers an extraordinary opportunity to engage with the cultural expression of artists who endured and transcended the constraints of Socialist Realism —a doctrine enforced with notable severity by the Soviet bloc states in Eastern Europe. Once again, we proudly present a program of immeasurable cultural and artistic significance. What one might expect from a Ukrainian artist who spent a significant part of his life under the banner and ideology of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics is notably absent in both his themes and formal style. Only with careful attention can one perceive the subtle traces left by the political and social context in which he began his career. His work bears no resemblance to Socialist Realism, the official artistic movement promoted by the Soviet government, which was characterized by the idealized representation of everyday life, labor, and the achievements of the Soviet people and state.
That art possesses a unique transformative power, acting as a catalyst for global change and unity, is almost universally understood. When experienced firsthand, it resonates on a higher frequency, fostering profound connections with individuals and inspiring collaborative efforts toward a more promising future. Through diverse forms of artistic expression, art transcends the boundaries of nationality, culture, and language, nurturing deeper bonds among us all. This vision was powerfully affirmed during the recent edition of DIVERSE ArtPalmBeach and lies at the very heart of the work carried out by MoCA-Americas and FACC. Both institutions embraced and skillfully interpreted the insightful curatorial vision of the renowned artist and cultural advocate Marisa Caichiolo, showcasing selections from their premier ceramic art collections, specifically original plates—likely one of the largest of its kind in the United States.
What could be better than cultural exchange that enriches our coexistence, fosters pride in our roots, and inspires us to build a common horizon that strengthens our sense of belonging to this magical city?"*
HISPAFEST, the Hispanic-American Art and Culture Festival, was founded in 2018 with the mission of integrating various artistic disciplines and providing a meeting space for the multicultural community of Greater Miami. Each festival edition celebrates the richness and diversity of Hispanic-American cultures, highlighting immigrant artists from different countries who now reside in Miami. Through HISPAFEST, these artists are helped to connect with the city’s art network, opening doors and fostering relationships that support their integration into the region’s vibrant cultural scene. In this way, The Bright Foundation and HISPAFEST establish themselves as key platforms in Miami's growing recognition as a global art capital.
During Hispanic Heritage Month, in September and October, HISPAFEST simultaneously organizes visual art exhibitions at various locations throughout the city. This year, the MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART OF THE AMERICAS, "MOCAA" joins this initiative by presenting eight selected artists at its venue for the festival's fifth edition in 2024.
This exhibition features the work of Spanish artist Dalia Berlin, whose quest for her roots is always represented through the legacy of Velázquez’s Meninas; Chilean artist Francisco de los Ríos, who, with a family background in the arts, showcases his architectural studies and classical view of the contemporary through his well-defined abstract lines; and Franck de las Mercedes, a Nicaraguan immigrant currently based in New York, who, during his visit to Miami, presents a pop art narrative of loss that reflects the experiences of those who lose everything abruptly and must start anew.
Lorena Vélez, from Peru, represents a blend of modernity and nature, using materials that form a landscape we are part of. Martín Cano, from Ecuador, presents a composition of his multiple investigations and experiments, with techniques and styles that reflect the city's changes that have welcomed him. Colombian artist Mónica Jaramillo, who navigates between metropolises and the Colombian jungle, focuses on representing women merged with nature. Venezuelan Rafael Montilla, known for the rigidity of forms in his work and his performances as Kubeman, symbolizes the union of humanity in a single being; the simplicity of his work speaks to the idea of "I am you and you are me."
Finally, Brazil, the invited country that shares the American continent but is not Hispanic, is represented by Silvano Soriano, an intellectual and pedagogue whose work is a constant search between technique, materiality, and the integration of his passions, such as literature and visual artistic representation.
This eclectic and vibrant exhibition of artists, each working from their individual vision and with no curatorial requirements other than what their soul dictates in their expression, once again reflects the essence of The Bright Foundation & HISPAFEST, showcasing the individuality of each selected artist, all united in a celebration of unique voices.
Selection of Works: Nubia Abaji
Exhibition Design: Ivonne Ferrer / Jorge Rodríguez Diez
As the title suggests, these extraordinary artists explore the intersectional spaces between the real and the supernatural, where both realms coexist in a productive tension. Throughout the history of thought, humanity has sought to reconcile these two planes: from mythical cosmogonies that explain the visible world through...
Under the Art in the Community program, the Museum of Contemporary Art of the Americas actively participates in the tribute to the recently deceased Manuel Comas Labrada. Starting Friday, August 30th, Miami's artistic community, along with friends and family, will have the opportunity once again to appreciate several of his pieces.
As is customary, the prestigious Women in the Arts Program at the Museum of Contemporary Art of the Americas is proud to present to the art lovers in its community, and indeed to the entire community of artists and enthusiasts across South Florida, the latest creations from a distinguished group of female artists working throughout the state.
The selection of works exemplifies her profound mastery of abstract painting intertwined with a deep commitment to environmental advocacy. It also reveals a resonant fusion of culture, memory, and ecological consciousness. MaiYap's artistic perspective was shaped by her upbringing in Panama, under the dual influences of her rich Chinese heritage and the vivid tropical environment.
Latin American Rockers brings together artists from South America and Mexico. Each artist was invited by the curator to reflect on their cultural roots and to explore the spirit of rebellion, freedom, and creativity that characterizes Latin American culture. Ultimately, it is a tribute to the influence of music on art and society, seeking to connect the rhythm of rock with the visual rhythm of art.
While her work has been part of the museum's collection for several years and has been featured in numerous group exhibitions both within our galleries and at various art institutions across South Florida, 'Women Who I Could've Been' marks her first solo exhibition in our space. Ana Albertina Delgado uses her pictorial language to express the current social debates surrounding diversity, emphasizing the role of women in society.
The Kendall Art Cultural Center (KACC), dedicated the past six years to the preservation and promotion of contemporary art and artists, and to the exchange of art and ideas throughout Miami and South Florida, as well as abroad. Through an energetic calendar of exhibitions, programs, and its collections, KACC provides an international platform for the work of established and emerging artists, advancing public appreciation and understanding of contemporary art.
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The Rodríguez collection is a blueprint of Cuban art and its diaspora. Within the context of the new MoCA-Americas the collection becomes an invaluable visual source for Diaspora identity. It represents a different approach to art history to try to better understand where we come from to better know where we are heading.
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