With three gallery spaces tailored for public art, the Museum of Contemporary Art of the Americas stands as the inaugural venue designed for showcasing contemporary art in the Kendall region.Through its lively programming and rotating exhibitions, the Museum bridges the gap between the community and artists hailing from all corners of the globe. It nurtures emerging artists, encourages established ones to explore new horizons, and demonstrates Kendall's aspirations to establish itself as a key player in the South Florida and wider American contemporary art scene.
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.
Sacred and Daily Patterns celebrates the powerful and intricate works of five prestigious female artists in the realm of geometric abstraction. Brings together a diverse array of pieces that explore the intersection of form, color, and structure, highlighting their unique perspectives and innovative approaches. Through meticulous lines, bold shapes, and vibrant colors, these incredible artists challenge conventional boundaries and invite viewers to engage with the profound beauty and complexity of geometric art
Contemporary geometric art continues to be a vibrant and dynamic force in the art world, evolving and adapting to new technologies and cultural contexts. This style is characterized by the use of precise geometric shapes, clear lines, and a palette of colors that is often limited but carefully selected. However, despite its apparent simplicity, modern geometric art explores complex ideas and emotions, challenging the viewer to find meaning in form and color.
The 'Gratitude' series, officially started in 2016, represents a significant milestone in MaiYap's artistic evolution. While she began moving away from realism as early as 2012, her journey into abstraction was characterized by a shift in her color palette—from vibrant, intense colors to muted, soft pastels. By adopting softer colors, MaiYap sought to convey a more subtle, yet profound message, suggesting that if people could see the beauty she captures, they might also listen more attentively to the planet's needs. Each piece, meticulously crafted with a palette knife, layers these gentle colors and textures to build tactile canvases that engage and demand contemplation. These textured strokes serve as metaphors for the intricate relationship between human activity and nature.
I 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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