October 13 - January 5, 2003
ULTRABAROQUE: ASPECTS OF POST-LATIN AMERICAN ART
Exhibition
GALLERIES 1, 2, 3
   
Hybridity, postmodernism, border culture, multimedia, Bart Simpson, skateboarding, and Karl Marx are just some of the topics explored by the 16 dynamic artists featured in Ultrabaroque: Aspects of Post-Latin American Art. They expropriate the term "baroque," previously used to undervalue and marginalize artistic expression from Latin America, and re-present it as a useful visual metaphor for the hybrid nature of our postmodern era. While reclaiming the term, the artists immerse themselves in the qualities of the baroque--sensuous richness, drama, vitality, movement, tension, emotional exuberance, and a blurring of distinctions between the various arts. The multimedia work on view reflects the artists' wealth of ideas and attitudes, from highly personal concerns to the exploration of the most relevant social and political topics, from powerful engagements of regional histories and memories to humorous and irreverent critiques of contemporary global culture. Pieces include flayed tile walls, overgrown skateboards and dolls, cubist renditions of cross-cultural icons, and blown-glass crosses. Addressing the legacy of colonialism, the hybridity of border culture (now extended well beyond the "border"), and pop culture, the artworks challenge and delight with their unique beauty.

 
 
Image
Arturo Duclos
THE EXPLORATION OF SPACE (LA EXPLORACION DEL ESPACIO)
Courtesy Galeria Andreu, Santiago, Chile

The roster of artists encompasses many who are well known in their own countries and abroad, but not previously shown in the United States: Miguel Calderón (Mexico), María Fernanda Cardoso (Colombia/Australia), Rochelle Costi (Brazil), Arturo Duclos (Chile), Einar and Jamex de la Torre (Mexico/United States), José Antonio Hernández-Diez (Venezuela/ Spain), Yishai Jusidman (Mexico), Iñigo Manglano-Ovalle (United States), Lia Menna Barreto (Brazil), Franco Mondini Ruiz (United States), Rubén Ortiz Torres (Mexico/United States), Nuno Ramos (Brazil), Valeska Soares (Brazil/United States), Meyer Vaisman (Venezuela/United States/Spain), and Adriana Varejão (Brazil).

An exhibition for our time, Ultrabaroque's array of themes, diversity of interests, and hybrid media reflect not only contemporary international artistic languages but also the unique interweaving of culture, races, and languages characterizing the Americas today.


IN THE WALKER ART CENTER SHOPS
Pedestal Armchair with Cushion  
ULTRABAROQUE
Described by Art in America as "a significant work of reference," this 200-page, fully illustrated catalogue considers the term "baroque" in relation to Latin America through essays by contemporary scholars and excerpts from authors from the 17th century to the present. Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego, 2000. Softcover: $35 ($31.50 Walker members).

DECEMBER EVENTS

FREE TOURS
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2 PM
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2 PM
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2 PM
Join the Walker Art Center's knowledgeable tour guides for a lively, engaging, and informative tour of the exhibition.


NOVEMBER EVENTS

BETTER LOOKING: ART AND CHRISTIANITY
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 6:30 PM FREE
Is the use of Christian imagery in the exhibition Ultrabaroque: Aspects of Post-Latin American Art blasphemous or reverential? While religious motifs are commonplace in contemporary art, the manner in which artists present Christian themes can inspire either praise or controversy. On a tour of Ultrabaroque, the Basilica of St. Mary's Director of Worship Johan Van Parys discusses the purposes behind works that reference Christianity in evocative ways. Meet in the lobby.

BILINGUAL SPANISH/ENGLISH GALLERY TOUR
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2 PM FREE WITH GALLERY ADMISSION
Join independent curator Rina Epelstein for this bilingual tour of Ultrabaroque. Meet in the lobby.

FREE TOURS
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2 PM
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2 PM
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2 PM
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2 PM
Join the Walker Art Center's knowledgeable tour guides for a lively, engaging, and informative tour of the exhibition.


OCTOBER EVENTS

WALKER AFTER HOURS/PREVIEW PARTY
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 9 PM-12 MIDNIGHT $14 ($7 WALKER MEMBERS)
Be among the first to see the new exhibition during this evening of music, films, and cocktails.

OPENING-DAY TALK
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2 PM $6 ($3 WALKER MEMBERS AND STUDENTS) AUDITORIUM
The Baroque is a 17th-century style marked by elaborate ornamentation, so why is it being used to describe contemporary art? Exhibition curator Elizabeth Armstrong details the aspects of this Latin American form that make it Ultrabaroque.

FREE TOURS
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2 PM
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2 PM
Join the Walker Art Center's knowledgeable tour guides for a lively, engaging, and informative tour of the exhibition.





ULTRABAROQUE: ASPECTS OF POST-LATIN AMERICAN ART WAS ORIGINATED BY THE MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART, SAN DIEGO, WITH SUPPORT FROM THE ROCKEFELLER FOUNDATION, THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS, THE ANDY WARHOL FOUNDATION FOR THE VISUAL ARTS, THE WALLACE-READER'S DIGEST FUNDS, THE MANDELL WEISS CHARITABLE TRUST, CONTINENTAL AIRLINES, MARY KEOUGH LYMAN, CHRISTIE'S, AND CONSEJO NACIONAL PARA LA CULTURA Y LAS ARTES.