ANGELICA ARBELAEZ: PINTA MIAMI AND THE LATIN AMERICAN ARTISTIC NARRATIVE

What did you explore while being the Rubio Butterfield Familiy Fellow at the Whitney Museum of American Art?

I have been the Rubio Butterfield Family Fellow at the Whitney Museum of American Art for three years. It’s been an incredibly rewarding experience working at this storied institution alongside many esteemed colleagues. In my role, I focused primarily on researching and supporting Latinx art at the museum. I worked on several major exhibitions including No existe un mundo poshuracán: Puerto Rican Art in the Wake of Hurricane Maria and Ilana Savdie: Radical Contractions. I also stewarded several new acquisitions into the Whitney Museum’s permanent collection, which was also a very fulfilling experience.

What role do Latin American artists play in your curatorial practice and how do you think their work dialogues with the global art scene?

Growing up in Miami nurtured my interest in Latin American art and I remain very engaged with the artistic production of many Latin American artists. Within the context of broader international art discourses, there has been an increased focus on understanding Latin American art as part of a global art narrative rather than as a separate, isolated tradition. I think this is made evident in the most recent Venice Biennale curated by Adriano Pedrosa. Artists from Latin America are often addressing global themes—such as the impact of colonialism, environmental issues, and social justice—which resonate with diverse international audiences.

Pinta Miami 2024: What were your expectations this year for the curatorship of the RADAR section? What do you feel was achieved with the selection of projects?

I was delighted to be invited as the curator for Pinta Miami’s RADAR section. One of the most rewarding aspects of this project has been broadening my familiarity with Latin American artists and galleries. The RADAR section offers a generous prompt: a selection of galleries showcasing work by one or two artists. I had a wonderful time getting to know the selected galleries and the artists they are presenting in this year’s edition of the fair.

Pinta Miami 2024: What brings together the galleries in this specific edition? What do they express?

The 2024 Pinta Miami RADAR section brings together six distinct artistic practices that engage with diverse forms of contemporary abstraction. By employing a wide range of innovative approaches and materials, the artists take up explorations of geometry, time, and reality that span both physical and digital realms. Across these artists, there is a shared interest in expanding the possibilities of abstraction that invites viewers into discursive and often speculative aesthetic experiences.

What are the biggest challenges you face as a curator in the contemporary art scene? And what opportunities do you see for the future?

I think sustainability and environmental impact is shaping curatorial decisions in significant ways. This includes reducing the carbon footprint of exhibitions and finding ways to incorporate eco-conscious materials and methods. As sustainability becomes an ever more pressing global issue, curators have the opportunity to champion eco-friendly practices in the production, display, and conservation of art within museums, galleries, and art fairs.

What are the current issues or concerns you are most interested in exploring through your curatorial projects?

I have an enduring interest in the social role of images, the structures and power relations of looking, and the political dimensions of visibility. I think my future curatorial projects will continue to examine how artists are responding to images that circulate through various social arenas.

Miami is known for being a crossroads of cultures, particularly with a strong Latin American influence. What place do you see for Latin American art in the U.S. art scene?

Latin American art has an important place in the U.S. art scene, with increasing institutional support, global recognition, and a thriving presence within contemporary art discussions. As the U.S. continues to diversify, the integration of Latin American art promises to foster a richer, more inclusive art world. Art museums and organizations that are making great strides in this work include the Perez Art Museum Miami; Museum of Fine Arts, Houston; Museum of Latin American Art; Americas Society/Council of the Americas; and the Institute for Studies on Latin American Art.

Pinta Miami

December 5 to 8, 2024

The Hangar, 3385 Pan American Drive, Cocont Grove, Miami, USA

Tickets here

*Cover photo: Sixteen Flowers.