Visual arts of the last two decades

Many expressions coexist, while some seem to complement or contradict each other, in the new art exhibit organized by the IDB Cultural Center and entitled Paradox and Coexistence II. The show, based on Colombian art historian Germán Rubiano Caballero’s book Art of Latin America 1981-2000, seeks to explain the course of visual arts in Latin America over the last two decades, and to better understand the interests, concerns, hopes and fears that were part of the region's development during that time.

Rubiano Caballero’s book—published by the IDB in 2001 as a complement to the Bank’s Art of Latin America 1900-1980, written by Marta Traba and published in 1993—offers an overview of the artistic trends in the region during the last two decades of the 20th century. The two books together offer a full panoramic view of 20th century Latin American art.

The exhibit gives American audiences a chance to get acquainted with prominent Latin American artists who are not well known in the United States, according to Félix Angel, the IDB cultural center coordinator and curator. The show avoids any radical identification or classification, but dynamically illustrates the strong eclecticism and absence of any clear direction or dominant undercurrent, either thematically, technically or conceptually. According to Félix Ángel, “this is a situation that has come to characterize the art of the last two decades almost everywhere.”

Paradox and Coexistence II also marks the first time ever that the IDB jointly organized a large-scale exhibit with a major financial institution. The partner for this show is Bank of Colombia, the country’s central bank, which shares an interest in culture and support for cultural events with the IDB. Works of art from the collections of the two banks, as well as collectors and artists from the region, are included in this exhibition, which first opened earlier this year in Bogota.

Mirna Liévano de Marques, the IDB external relations advisor, points out that culture “undeniably contributes to all aspects of life in Latin America and, thanks to culture, the region occupies a prominent place on the world stage.”

“With the creation of the IDB Cultural Center over a decade ago, and the proposal to create an Inter-American Foundation for Cultural Development, recently approved by the IDB Board of Governors,” added Liévano de Marques, “the Bank has made it clear that it is very aware of the need to promote culture, and to include its workers in the full range of its development activities.”

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The Paradox and Coexistence II exhibit will run until August 26, 2005. The art gallery is open five days a week, Monday through Friday, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., free of charge. A free brochure in English is available to the public.