“I Have a Dream” – exhibit
This past Wednesday I was in NYC photographing he annual kick-off party for the Parkinson’s Unity Walk (I’m proud that we also designed their website). This was the third year it was held at the Gabarron Foundation Carriage House Center for the Arts located at 149 East 38th Street. The Foundation specifically serves the Spanish and American communities and specializes in exhibitions and various cultural activities. It also serves as a meeting place for people and organizations.
The exhibition currently showing is “I Have a Dream — International Tribute Exhibition to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.” The above work is “Dr. Martin Luther King — Love Revolution, 2008″ by Lee Pei. It is oil on canvas, 43.3″ x 43.3”.
“The question is not whether we will be extremists, but what kind of extremists we will be … The nation and world are in dire need of creative extremists.”
— Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929-1968)
The exhibit runs through March 8, 2009, and it features the provocative work of over 70 artists. I was very fortunate to get a 141 page color catalog of the show which also includes poems and commentary by several individuals such as Maya Angelou and Cora Weiss. If you go to the Foundation’s website, you can download a PDF of the catalog in black/white. While my photos are primarily of the event, I did have permission to also photograph throughout the Carriage House. The following is a taste of the venue.
I love the interior space of this three-story structure, with its spiral staircase and the open floor plan. It is a fabulous venue for showing off art. Under the stair case is a large sculpture made of painted wood called “El Suneno de Jonas, 2008” by Francisco Leiro.
Up the staircase to the second floor of the luscious interior (oh, how I’d love this to be my home!).
The work on the far left is “I Had a Dream Somewhere in the Cosmos, 2008″ by Josep Puihmari. It’s oil on canvas, 76.8″ x 51.2”. The work to the right of it is the bottom portion of “Doble Rostro, 2008″ by Anton Patino. It’s mixed media, 39.4″ x 78.7”. To its right, is the bottom portion of “Lorraine, 2008” (you can see the “I am a Man” area) by Javier Balda. It’s mixed media on canvas , 70.1″ x 51.2″.
To the far left is a portion of “Flowers for MLK, 2008″ by Ciria. It is oil on canvas and measures 78.7″ x 78.7”. Otherwise, the art is as noted in the above image. On the far high wall is “Angel No. 13″ by Cui Xiuwen (no year noted). It is a print, 43.3″ x 50.8”.
If you look straight down under the “Flowers for MLK” print, you’ll see the opening to the far room which is a state-of-the-art looking kitchen (as least in comparison to my home kitchen). I didn’t photograph it because the catering company was hard at work preparing the evening’s delicious food, but I had to take a photo of the glasses.
The piece on the left is called “Soul Brother 1, 2007″ by Willie Cole and is made entirely of shoes (nice ones, I must add). To the right is “Si, M.L.K., 200″ by Arranz Bravo. It is oil on canvas, 47.2″ x 47.2”.
Up on the third floor in the corner was this provocative piece “I Had A Dream, 2008″ by Charlie Sartwelle. It is a mixed media collage, 15.7″ x 24”.
Back on the ground floor level.
Even the glasses waiting to be filled looked good.
The main floor area with guests enjoying the reception.
Carol Walton, the CEO of The Parkinson Alliance, the parent organization that runs the Unity Walk. Carol is incredibly focused and driven, and I cannot even begin to describe what an asset she is to everything she gets involved with.
As an aside, I’ve been doing work for the Alliance since early 2001, and I highly recommend this organization to donate to. Yes, times are difficult, but this organization matches every dollar you send — meaning you get your money’s worth — and they are committed to funding the research to find a cure. Click here to learn more.
“Let Freedom Ring 2008″ by Blanca Benitez. It is collage on wood, 35.4″ x 39.4”.
It was not difficult photographing people in front of the art, especially since most wasn’t covered with glass.
Throughout the evening, this beautiful woman played harp. The piece to the right is called “Seeds of Peace” by Sharon Kopriva. It is mixed media, 37″ x 29.9″
It’s difficult seeing the piece to the left. It’s called “Dream (Homenatge A MLK), 2008″ by Enric Ansesa. It is acrylic and oil on canvas, 39.4″ x 39.4”
Please note that the works of art are all copyrighted by their respective makers. Again, the photos here are just a little taste and they in no way reflect the beauty of seeing the works in person. If you’re in NYC, contact the Foundation for information on how you can view the show. For more information on any of the artists or their work, contact the Foundation. And, again, click here for more information on the Parkinson’s Unity Walk and click here for more information on The Parkinson Alliance.
You can also see pictures that I took last year at this event by clicking on the February 2008 link to the right and scrolling down the page.
February 14th, 2009 at 11:43 pm
Gloria, thanks so much for this artistic take on a real cultural milestone in our nation’s history.
It’s the shoes in “Soul Brother 1” that totally grabbed me…so cool.
February 15th, 2009 at 12:44 am
I gave a double take to Soul Brother I. I didn’t initially realize it was made from shoes. high-end, doubt they were worn shoes, too. Such an interesting piece.