Lidia Ester Aguilera Sanchez: Artwork

These are "The Guardians" Oil on Canvas

"Homage to Yamayia #3" Oil on Canvas
These are a few examples of one of the artist that exibited here at Obsidian Arts Gallery for this show.

The Opening Night

This show was awesome. Clyde Fraser came to recite a fabulous poem that shook the history of memories that he envisioned as a young boy, be took us there with him as he read this thought provoking poem that borders a narrative. It was a sure treat. Renee Thompson and Pamela Plagge performed a dance routine that expressed the essence of the African Cuban culture. Rene spoke about the history a bit and the way that the expressions were intended to provoke the ideas about the animals and the communication towards the way the people expressed themselves. "Run the white man is coming or move like the chicken with the arms flapping". Incredible expressions of a people enslaved and holding onto their own culture and history through the dance, the arts, the writing and the religion that is most intriguing. The Santeria religion creates an expression of the Spanish settlers that brought Catholicism to the Africans that were to be ported to America as slaves. History tells us that quite a few did not make it thus Afro Cubans. The religion that they had combined with this newly found Christianity was not intended originally to become what it did. The Afro Cubans kept their own saints from Santeria religion and created the images of statues that would represent o the slave owners and the Europeans Catholic Saints. But the reality is they were a representation of their very own Saints that had similar encounters.
Be sure to come out to artist talk. We will conclude this matter as we view the video by Lidia Ester Aguilera Sanchez interview in Cuba this past week in Cuba, and The dancer Pamela Plagge will return to assist us in creating a video for documentation of this show. Along with Clyde Fraser who will discuss the history of his childhod in Aruba.

The Invite

Greeting art friends and the like I want to personally invite you to the opening of the Afro Cuban Art showing that will open on April 14th (Saturday). This show is truly a treat for us all it digs into the lexicon that entices the history of Afro Cuban creative. This show explores the dance, music, poetry, and of course the visual arts of African Cuban expression. The descriptions will be posted every other day until the show opens so please visit http://www.afrocubanart.blogspot.com.
Bring a friend. Converse with you soon, thanks. – Christopher-Aaron

Visual Art, Poetry, Music, and Dance converge. Featuring works by Lydia Aguilera Sanchez, Daniel Alvarez, Yopiz Martinez, Poet Clyde Frazier, and dancer Renee Thompson.

The Openeing Reception and Performance is April 14th, 6-8
Artist Dialoge- May 12 4-6pm
Afro Cuban History Panel
May 26th 2-4pm
all at

Obsidian Arts Gallery
734 East Lake Street
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55407
612-822-6808
www.obsidian arts.org

The Artist Call: Now Closed

Call for Artists

What:
Obsidian Arts seeks submissions from Cuban artists for
the exhibit, "Afro Cuba". We seek works of two and
three-dimensional, installation, digital, or
sound-scape (DJ and composer) works. The "Afro Cuba"
exhibition is scheduled for presentation at Obsidian
Arts from April 7 to June 30, 2007. Obsidian Arts
provides installation assistance and a small stipend
to artists selected for "Afro Cuba". We provide
publicity, exhibition invitations, mailings, opening
reception and artist development talks.

Why:
The goal of the exhibition is to express the arts
movement of Afro Cuban origins which is the result of
the slavery trade and colonization of Africans in the
West Indies. This community represents a newer culture
of artists that emerged in the 1900?s, some of which
migrated to the arts movement in Miami. This show will
explore the diversity, and the rich heritage of a
people that have climbed above their expected means
into a larger culture of the Arts. As a people Afro
Cubans developed dance, storytelling and artistic
expression unknown to the West Indies and as a culture
it continues today.

Who We Are:
Obsidian Arts supports the growth of ideas . . .
valuing artists, curators, and art historians in the
examination of black history and culture. Obsidian
Arts? core objectives are growing artistic capacity,
sharing history through art, and encourage artistic
innovation. Our annual exhibition series is funded by
the Jerome Foundation.
Submissions Details:
- Postmark deadline is February 28, 2007
- Exhibit dates April 7 ? June 30, 2007
- Artists selected will be notified by curator by
March 5, 2007
- Do not call or email to check on your submission
- Do not send original slides, photographs or
portfolios
- Do not ask to pick up material; you must include an
SASE

What to send:
- 10 labeled 35mm slides or a cd/dvd with a PDF or
JPEGs of your work, with accompanying items list
- Resume and artist statement
- Submit video on VHS or DVD and sound pieces on CD or
cassette tape
- A self-addressed, stamped envelope (SASE) for the
return of your samples.
Work samples WILL NOT BE RETURNED without a SASE.
Apply sufficient postage.

Please mail submissions to:
Christopher-Aaron Deanes, Curator
Obsidian Arts Submissions
734 E. Lake Street, Ste. 220
Minneapolis, MN 55407

Thank You, Christopher A. Deanes612.695.2423
http://www.mnartists.org/artistHome.do?rid=91129