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CROSSCURRENT Installation Photos: Kiki Valdes, Jel Martinez, Kristin Bauer, Bill Dambrova

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SOUTHEAST MEETS SOUTHWEST 

Miami artists Kiki Valdes and Jel Martinez, represented by the Michael Margulies Artist Agency, and Phoenix artists Bill Dambrova and Kristin Bauer come together in CROSSCURRENT, a collaborative exchange exhibition that unites South Beach with the Southwest. 

An exploration of crossover and collision in contemporary art pulling from different undercurrents, such as societal policies and propaganda, childhood influences and organic memory of the body, these four artists demonstrate energy and diversity in perspective. The consonance and dissonance that emerges in this bi-coastal group exhibition traverses the boundaries of regions as well as the boundaries of contemporary art genres. 

Installation photography: Sean Deckert 
Learn more: CROSSCURRENT 

RAMIREZ TRAN

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Meet Johnny Ramirez and Ahn Co Tran.
the voice of a hair generation.
JOHNNY
Johnny and I have been friends for a long time, no one else comes anywhere near my hair, and no one else ever will. He is not just a colorist, he is an artist. Johnny breaks the mold. I have never known him to conform, to anything, and the result is such visionary forward thinking, that he is constantly ahead of trend. He is the voice of a boundless generation, seeking creative and original style. How many times have you felt like a change? Johnny IS change. A hair movement is happening, and Johnny is standing on the front line.
A few years ago Johnny and Ahn decided to join forces. They are kindered spirits. Equally as forward thinking, and industrious. The pair fly all over the world, catering to the needs of a vast and loyal clientele. Many of which are the Hollywood elite. They are as descrete as they are talented, and although they'll never kiss and tell, many a magazine cover, and Oscar red carpet, has been graced by their iconic creations. 

This year Jonny and Ahn set their vison in another direction. They decided to find a space of their own, and are now settled in a peaceful spot in Beverly Hills. The salon is entirely a reflection of their work. Simple but unique, with the flow of an art gallery, and no lack of attention to detail. From the moment you enter to the moment you leave, the vibe of the place is contagious. And you hair is your parting gift. Your finished look makes you feel as though you too are a part of the movement, your "coolness factor" just quadrupled, this is the crowd you run with. As long as your hair has the Ramirez Tran seal of a approval you are officially "in".

To the left is my sun kissed look coutesy of the boys. And below are some before and afters, Enjoy.

THE PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING
Ramirez|Tran Salon • 310.724.8167 • info@ramireztran.com 
instagram : Johnnyramirez1

Rest In Peace - Harold Ramis (Egon Spengler)

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HAROLD ALLEN RAMIS 
NOV. 21, 1944- FEB. 24TH 2014
"THERE'S SOMETHING VERY IMPORTANT I FORGOT TO TELL YOU. DON'T CROSS THE STREAMS." - EGON SPENGLER (GHOSTBUSTERS)
 

Swedish Artist - Peter Hammar Interview

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H A M M A R  T I M E 
Peter Hammar works with everyday objects as sculpture with smart placement of lights and composition in spaces. We first saw his work during Scope Art Fair during Art Basel 2013 and his booth was a wonderful arrangement of simplicity and beauty. Hammar has an upcoming exhibition "Mapping Empty Spaces" at the Swedish American Museum in Chicago on March 7th. We had a chance to talk to him before the opening about his new work which addressses immigration and the many stories of the past and present. 


Most of your latest work consists of everyday objects. What happens in the creative process that makes you select the objects that you do?

I use whatever materials I have at hand, it used to be paint and canvas, now I take whatever discarded material I find that is forgotten and has outlived it's purposes, I re-vamp it, give it a second life. Usually the object talks to me in regards to the subject matter/thought process I'm working on currently. It sort of falls into place naturally. And not to forget, as a struggling artist money is also part of it, out of necessity I have to look elsewhere for affordable materials. 

How does light play into your installations, what is the relationship between object and illumination for you? 

When I use moving programmed LED-lights it's a notion for time, when static light,  it's more of painting the object/installation or highlighting some specific part that I wanna draw attention to. I find that light is a great way to emphasis negative space and shadows, which is a lot of times more fascinating and open ended. The light also works a in set designs for theater, it immediately sets the mood and carries multiple. 

I love the balloon installation.  Could you tell us a little about it? 

The piece is titled 'Status Quo', it is a very experimental piece that I still have not quiet completed.. The fan on top of the plexiglas box is supposed to push down the helium balloon and keep it suspended, in a status quo, which seems to be an impossible state of being for just about anything, as it proved to be for the balloon, hence I had to use magicians thread to keep it in place. And it failed, somehow the constant failure of the piece and the Sisyphus task that it

(interview continues below) 
 became in keeping the piece alive was great since that was the actual intent. At the time I just had not quite realized it. I'm still in the process of making this piece complete, maybe it's impossible and by so I love it even more. The unattainable status quo. 

You have a show opening March 7th in Chicago at the Swedish American Museum. What do you have in store for the public to view? 


It's going to be a modern take on the immigrants story, having researched the museums archives, statistics and my own experience of being an immigrant for more than a decade. The tonality will be universal so that everybody and not only Swedish immigrants can relate. Questions about identity, loss, gain, dreams, myths and selective memory that comes into play after years of disunion. 

How do you feel about being picked? How was the selection process? 

I was very honored and extremely happy of course for the opportunity given. I did a fantastic artist residency in Chicago last summer at ACRE, Artist Cooperative Residency and Exhibitions, the residency actually turned out to be miles and miles away from Chicago in beautiful Steuben, Wisconsin. Before the trip I researched a little about Chicago and that's when I found the Swedish American Museum. To my great surprise a museum dedicated to Swedish culture and heritage. It fascinated me so much that I immediately felt a want and need to connect my own practice and work with this institution. So, I wrote a proposal a little more than a year ago and here we are after a museum committee accepted it.
(Interview continues below)
You are a transplant living in Miami. Is there a general aesthetic you feel is apparent from both places artistically? How do they differ? How do they unite? 

The art world is pretty homogenous where ever you turn today. In Sweden though strong use of color is still considered a bit too decorative and not really tasteful art. I figure the climate and Swedish mentality makes up for a careful approach to boldness. But good conceptual art in Sweden as elsewhere is always recognized. Then of course there's only 9 million Swedes and their local exposure or gene pool of artists isn't that big, no matter how much you Google or travel to NY once a year, will never reach the multitude and mixture that we have here in America and Miami. Everybody is here!
To learn more about Peter Hammar's work visit his website right here. 

"Mapping Empty Spaces" opens March 7th at the Swedish American Museum. For more information on the exhibit visit the museums website right here. 

Angry Artist Smashes Ai Weiwei's Work (Video Stills)

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Maximo Caminero is caught on camera smashing a $1 million vase from Chinese artist Ai Weiwei's collection at Perez Art Museum Miami, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2014. Caminero, 51, was arrested on criminal mischief charges. (VIDEO STILL/CNN, WSVN, Viewer Video)
THE BREAKING POINT. 
FAILED  A R T I S T WITHOUT A CAUSE

#artherradura - Kiki Valdes - Miami .

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BARREL ART COLLECTION 
HERRADURA  2013 
       KIKI VALDES  - MIAMI  
Well it's Art Basel week and the final contest for Herradura's barrel art project is coming to a finish.  It's truly been an honor being involved in this amazing program and I really learned a lot from working on my barrel and learning from all of the artists involved.  When I think back at this whole experience I think about all of the new friendships I have developed through this and seeing the world a bit differently. 
I  also think about my family and good friends that have helped me throughout this experience wether it be showing moral support or helping me move the barrel around the backyard or playing congas to inspire me and remind me of my roots and where I came from. 

The day after I won the Miami prize I thought it would it be interesting to post the barrel up in different parts of the city of Miami in places that mean a lot to me and where I grew up.  Every part of me started here. My first art class, my first art fair to where my parents first stepped foot in this country.  It all started here.  I hope you enjoy the photos. Thank you for letting me share this experience with you -  Kiki Valdes 
Images by: Rudy Perez 

Local Crit - Group Show - Nov. 27th

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