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.