Medellin’s 43rd (Inter) National Salon Of Artists (SNA) has a new rival in an exhibition named: SNACK, Art and Test Spaces. This new exhibition is made up of artists, cultural promoters and academics that will hold their own galleries and openings parallel to the SNA.
A few months ago, a small circle of friends within the Medellin artist community called each other up, eager to hear if anyone had pieces selected to be featured during the 43rd National Art Exhibition (SNA). One artist recalled the conversation to Colombia Reports,
Painters, sculptors, and photographers across the city alike had all heard the same answer: no. Once again, near the same list of 100 artists were chosen by the same curators from last year to be exhibited in the 43rd (Inter)National Salon of Artists in 2013. Only seven of those artists are from Medellin.
The excluded circle of Medellin artists were determined to have their work displayed this fall.
The result? SNACK: Art and Test Spaces. SNACK will be the first art exhibition to occur parallel to one of the “most important spaces for art in our country for the field of visual arts” according to SNACK’s Facebook Page. SNACK started just after SNA on September 7 and both will continue to host events across Medellin throughout November.
Colombia Reports sat down with accomplished Medellin painter and one of the curators for SNACK, Diego Cano, who has been frustrated with the SNA for some time now.
“There are many talented artists [in Colombia], but there are only 3-4 gallery owners [and curators] who dominate the [Colombian] art scene.”
“The problem is that there are many people making art,” Cano told Colombia Reports, “but there are very few people who have the opportunity to show it.”
Cano and this group of Colombian artists began to think outside of the box. They immediately got on the phone and started calling different smaller art galleries and alternative spaces such as universities, theaters, hotels and libraries to pitch their artwork. Most were eager to showcase pieces of work and the demand for artwork grew.
In response, for two months now, Cano along with artists Omar Luis and Maria Isabel Naranjo, selected artwork from near 50 artists that include a wide range of mediums including “video, photography, sculpture, paintings, and installation pieces.” This alternative exhibition has also drawn international participants from countries as far as Spain, though the majority of featured artists are local.
“This artistic space will benefit the national and international public perception of [art] in [Medellin],” concluded Cano.
All information about upcoming SNACK events can be found on their website: SNACKMEDELLIN or on their Facebook Page.
SNACK Medellin exhibitions
Sources
- Interview with Diego Cano
- SNACK MEDELLÍN, EL EVENTO PARALELO AL SALÓN NACIONAL DE ARTISTAS (ADN)
- Diego Cano Website
- The 43rd (Inter) National Artists Workshop, the most representative arts event in Colombia (AE)
- Lista de Artistas: 43 Salón (inter) Nacional de Artistas, Medellín, Colombia (Universes in Universe)