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Cálido/Heated- Exhibition press release

Andrea Sofia Matos

Cálido/Heated Curated by Antonio Del Valle-Lago

The world finds itself in a state of precarious flux, with environmental shifts mirroring the rising

tensions in our societies. The term cálido or heated serves as an all emcompassing metaphor

that not only encapsulates the escalating and devastating warmth of our global climate but also

metaphorically extends to the fervor of the political, social, cultural, and personal. Yet, within

these heated climates, a paradox unfolds—one that speaks not only of discord but also of

resilience and the human capacity to forge warmth amidst chaos.

Heat manifests itself through the escalating temperatures and the consequential impacts on our

environment, subtly reminding us of the urgent need for collective action. Simultaneously, heat

is found within the political and social unrest, akin to the scorching sun of discontent, sparking

rebellions that reverberate globally. However, within these tumultuous climates, humanity, out of

sheer necessity, crafts sanctuaries of warmth. These spaces are multifaceted, ranging from the

intimate refuge of one's home to the communal embrace found in shared spaces of rest,

resiliance, and resistance. In the face of heated externalities, individuals and communities come

together, creating pockets of solace where the human spirit can thrive. In these spaces of

coexistence warmth of shared ideals and common goals becomes a source of strength, an

internal warmth, cultivated within the recesses of our minds.

"Cálido/Heated" explores passionate stories about love and resistance creating rich visual

records meant to evoke the personal while also connecting and reacting to the variety of issues

unfolding before us, capturing the dichotomy of our everyday life. But also the indomitable

human spirit that seeks warmth, connection, and solidarity amidst the heated adversity. The

artists in this exhibition have in some way tapped into this heat in a different ways some turned

to political and social commentary, others reflect on the warmth of their homes, and other to

passionate stories of love and lust. In “Levels of Danger I & II” Toussaint Rosefort uses a

gradient of the observed heat records of the world and the Massey-Martin scale, an 11-point

scale used to represent skin colors, to intertwine the environmental with complexities of race

and identity. Paola de la Calle’s “Tale as Old as Time (Reflejo)” she traces migrant histories,

prompting viewers to reconsider the stories we are told and question histories that have been

taught under a colonial lens. In this piece, a soldier in a green uniform firing deadly red bullets,

symbolizing U.S. involvement in Colombian affairs. In contrast, Vyczie Dorado’s “reflecting at

Pleasure Island” takes us through a reflective journey by referencing Disney’s Pinocchio

prompting viewers to reflect on the present state of society, raising the question of how many of

us might metaphorically be transforming into "donkeys" under the weight of societal pressures.

All the artists included delve into narratives of that beckon us to engage, empathize, and find

our own reflections within the heated tapestry of the world. Through their diverse and dynamic

creations, these artists actively contribute to an evolving artistic practices rather than preserving

tradition in a static form, artists evolve and adapt traditional elements to address contemporary

concerns. The resulting creations emerge as vivid expressions, each stroke and form bears the

fiery hues of unique artistic and cultural legacies.

"Cálido/Heated" includes the works of Hernan Ayala Tirado, Diego Antonio Espaillat, Max

Benajim Sarmiento, Carlos Charlie Pérez, Larissa De Jesús Negrón, Paola De La Calle, Vyczie

Dorado, Liliana Lacayo, Sabrina Mendoza Malavé, Manuel Mendoza, Devin Osorio, Ricardo

Partida, Nereida Patricia, Emma Rivera, Rossana Romero, Toussaint RoseFort, Gabriel

Sanchez, Alejandro Saki Sacarello, Fred Smith, Kiván Quinones Beltrán, Liam Cotti, Joshua

Nazario.

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