“NYC based arts organization Art for Progress (AFP) teams up with local Miami artists to celebrate the link between Cuban and South Florida culture for Art Basel 2016.”

NYC based arts organization Art for Progress (AFP) teams up with local Miami artists to celebrate the link between Cuban and South Florida culture for Art Basel 2016.  The events will take place in South Beach with an art exhibit opening on Friday evening and a rooftop- fashion, music and performance art event titled, Cosa Rica is set for Saturday night.

The art exhibition, “P.U.E.N.T.E.” which opens Friday evening (6:00pm – 9:00pm) December 2nd, will feature eleven artists (Nestor Arenas, Willie Avedano, Orestes De La Paz, Michael Gray, Catalina Jaramillo, Brandy Lynn, Guido Mena, Cristina Victor, Sterling Rock, Belaxis Buil)working in various mediums (paintings, sculpture, installation, textile and drawings).

After many decades of frosty relations between the U.S. and Cuba, the recent positive developments have brought a feeling of excitement and hope to the Cuban people of both South Florida and Cuba. The exhibition observes the relationship of the artist to their environment- changing landscapes and ability to adapt-retreat, refuge  and escape. The show which will run through Sunday, December 5^th and is curated by Belaxis Buil whose work has been exhibited in “Intersectionality” and “Taz” at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Miami, Art Shanghai, China, Tacheles Museum, Germany and Art Basel Miami.

Michael Gray

On Saturday, December 3rd, AFP will host a night of fashion, performance art, dance theater and music overlooking Miami Beach.  A site~specific fashion show featuring Belaxis Buil designs (contemporary Cuban inspired, ready to wear) will highlight the evening, but Cosa Rica will also feature provocative performance art, video and sound installations from Daniel Maldonado, Willie Avendano and Orestes De La Paz as well as a dance performance by Hellektrick Danse Theatre.  The music for the evening will be curated by NYC based DJ/Producer Gatto.  This special night is a celebration of identity- revival and reinvention of the Cuban- Cuban American identity. The event is 8pm-12am, rooftop at 1052 Ocean Drive Miami Beach.

Tickets for “Cosa Rica” can be purchased here. Advance tickets only.

Belaxis Buil Designs