The Museum's exhibition program presents solo and group shows by local, national, and international artists, prioritizing originality and striving to showcase works from a diverse array of creators. Its goal is to bring innovative contemporary art that transcends borders to South Florida and beyond, connecting communities and broadening horizons.Exhibitions are organized by Jorge Rodríguez (R10), the Museum's director and Chief Curator, and by guest curators from all visual arts. Each one runs for an average of 45 days, with shorter exhibitions of seven to fifteen days being planned in cases where certain works cannot be displayed for the usual period of time.
The "Pop Up Shows" or ephemeral exhibitions are conceived as part of a specific line of projects aimed at presenting as many local artists as possible to the community and offering them exhibition spaces throughout the regular season.
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.
For the past six years, the erstwhile Kendall Art Center —now reimagined as the Museum of Contemporary Art of the Americas— has devoted itself to nurturing a profound dialogue surrounding painting, encouraging a spirit of experimentation and a multiplicity of perspectives. 'Old Friends' exemplifies this fruitful discourse between two maestros of abstract art. This dialogue was sparked by Rigoberto Mena's journey to Boston in 2000, some 23 years ago. Mena, traversing to the USA, participated in the exhibition 'Cuba, Cuba, three contemporary artists', showcased alongside fellow artists Alejandro Lazo and Pango at the Espacio 12 gallery.
READ MOREThe Museum of Contemporary Art of the Americas and the Fine Arts Ceramic Center presented their exhibition "Unlikely Assemblages" as part of the 57th Annual National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA) Conference, which took place from March 15th to 18th, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States. The Annex Gallery, located next to the Pendelton Art Center and directed by photographer and cultural promoter Jens G. Rosenkrantz, hosted the exhibition, which will run until April 29th, 2023. "Unlikely Assemblages" showcases the works of three prominent Cuban creators who are based in South Florida.
READ MOREThe Women in the Arts Program, along with a sizable group of Cuban artists, pays homage to the extraordinary Cuban artist Carmen Herrera. The Museum of Contemporary Art of the Americas in Kendall inaugurated the group exhibition 'A mi me manda Carmen' on Friday, March 10, 2023, witnessing an exceptional turnout. In response to a call by curator Monica Batard, a select group of artists, predominantly Cuban, decided to honor the memory, life, and legacy of Herrera. These artists shared their works with the public in Kendall and Miami-Dade County, once again showcasing the diversity of female creativity in the world of contemporary art.
READ MOREThe Fine Art Ceramic Center and Miami Ceramic League are teaming up to promote and educate the public on ceramic arts. The Miami Ceramic League recently hosted an annual exhibition in collaboration with the Museum of Contemporary Art of the Americas, featuring renowned ceramicist Tom Coleman as the keynote speaker. The event provided a platform for artists to showcase their latest creations and network with fellow creators for several hours. The evening was filled with creative and motivational experiences, and attendees gained a deeper appreciation for this unique art form.
READ MOREI don’t remember when I first met Montoto, but by the time I began to associate with the art world, he was already well-established. It’s been over 25 years now. I later designed several catalogs for him and got to know him personally. At that time, he often worked with art critic Rufo Caballero, who unfortunately passed away at the peak of his career. Rufo told me that Montoto’s entire discourse was based on deep intellectual convictions and that I should not be swayed by appearances, that beyond his almost absolute mastery of technique, there were deep philosophical reflections layered underneath.
READ MOREThe Rodríguez Collection, displayed at the Museum of Contemporary Art of the Americas (MoCAA), offers a fascinating exploration of contemporary Cuban and continental art. Encompassing various mediums and styles, the collection emphasizes the richness and diversity of continental artistic expression. Featuring paintings, sculptures, photographs, drawings, and ceramics, the works interact with each other and captivate viewers, creating a unique heritage that transcends boundaries of time, culture, and geography, for a truly enriching and immersive artistic experience, serving the Kendall community and the rest of South Florida.
READ MOREThe museum must not be a conventional and unsurprising place. It must offer wondrous experiences and provide insights into the mysteries of creation; it must invite us to embark on new journeys. Though the museum must never be ordinary, visitors must feel like they are on familiar ground. A museum is to be prone to debate, discovery and thought. A museum is a place for integration and sharing where the notion of community is vital. It is a place of concurrence, not opulence. At the same time, a museum should be accessible and welcoming to all, inspiring curiosity and sparking imagination in visitors of all ages and backgrounds.
READ MOREThe Fine Arts Ceramic Center integrates into The New MoCAA museum. The exhibition "Ceramics: Omnipresence Matter" is organized, encompassing the complex connotations of identity, belonging, and diaspora. It concerns the artist's narratives, history, and social context. It's a total departure from how traditionally the ceramics collection has been presented. Ceramics have become a source of inspiration and expressiveness for a selection of artists presented as part of the FACC collection. As part of the integration, the exhibition showcases how the Fine Arts Ceramic Center has evolved into a really dynamic space.
READ MORECollecting art is not just a hobby, it's an exploration of one's own values, ideologies, and tastes. This practice not only curates a personalized visual narrative but also plays a role in shaping cultural conversations and driving the artistic direction. For collectors of contemporary art, the acquisition of new pieces isn't merely transactional—it's about engaging with the present, participating in current dialogues, and directly influencing the direction of the art world. Adding new artwork to their collection is a commitment to the ongoing evolution of culture and creative expression. It's about supporting artists, facilitating their growth and ability to create.
READ MOREThe transition from art center to museum requires many changes, from operational structures, programming to the manner in which art is presented and exhibited. One thing however, that will not change in this transition, is the Kendall Art Center’s–and now MoCA-Americas’, view collaboration as our cornerstone. As the museum is meant to service the community, MoCA-Americas will not be a closed off museum, dedicated only to its permanent collections, but also continuing our educational and external programs of traveling shows, Art in the Community, Women in the Arts, SOFLO New Artists, which focuses on giving senior MFA students the chance to graduate with exhibition experience, and of course, loaning our work for other museums and institutions to exhibit and enjoy.
READ MOREThe 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.
READ MOREThe 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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