Haitian Art Beat

Haitian Art Beat

 Opening Reception to Showcase 30 Haitian Artists

Exhibition Nov. 4 – Dec. 24

For Immediate Release

Miami --　　 A groundbreaking display of Haitian craft and art opens next Nov. 4 to benefit grassroots movements in post-earthquake Haiti.in association with Beyond Borders, Haitian Art Beat hopes to raise $5,000.00 to help people build movements in Haiti and abroad to liberate themselves from isolation and oppression.　 Proceeds will also be used to continue trade with Haitian artists and to promote artistic exchanges between Haiti and the United States.

　　

Featuring works created since the January 12, 2010 earthquake that devastated Haiti, this exhibition showcases works by artists from Croix des Bouquets, Haiti. This village, just outside Port-au-Prince, is internationally known for its steel drum sculpture art.　　 Turning discarded oil drums into expressive and sometimes whimsical art provides sustainable income for hundreds of families in the Croix des Bouquets community.　 Haitian metal art is expressive and painstakingly detailed artwork evoking images of everyday life, historical events and religious interpretations , including voodoo influences, dominant in Haiti’s African-inspired culture.　

　"In a time when we hear so much negative news from Haiti, Haitian Art Beat showcases and celebrates the most beautiful aspects of Haitian life and culture through art. The November 4 opening reception will feature live Haitian music and is free to the public.　 It will be an evening of beauty, live music, drink, food, and fun which should not be missed." says Jeff Rogers of Epple Seed Arts.

　

Haitian Art Beat will be at the Konbit for Haiti Community Center located in the Bascayne Plaza at 79th Street and Biscayne Blvd. and will run through December, 24, 2011.　 All are welcome, and prices range from under $5.00 to over $600.00.

Times: Opening Reception: 11 / 4 / 11: 7 pm – 11 pm

Exhibition Hours : 11 / 4 – 11 / 24: Wed.- Sat. 10 am – 4 pm and by appointment

Contact Information:

Epple Seed Arts: Jeff Rogers, 305 439 4540: (For more information on exhibit or private showings.)

Konbit for Haiti: Athena Jones, 786 358 0565: (For more information on location and hours.)

Location:
Konbit for Haiti

521 NE 81<sup>st Street. In Biscayne Plaza shopping Center off 79th Street

Private showings can be arranged by phoning Jeff Rogers of Epple Seed Arts at 305 439 4540.　

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De Staël nude sold for record price in Paris

Nu Couché, Nicolas de Staël

 

Story By Tony Cross

An oil painting by Nicolas de Staël has been sold for over seven million euros, a record for the artist and, according to the auctioneers, the highest price paid for a work of art in Paris in 2011.

The painting, Nu couché (Reclining nude), was sold on Tuesday evening and went for twice the estimated price. Nu couché was painted in 1954, the year before the artist died and was one of his last. It shows a black-haired woman reclining, depicted in de Staël’s characteristic patches-of-paint style.

De Staël, who was French of Russian origin, rarely painted nudes, usually preferring landscapes and interiors, although a series depicting footballers is much-praised by critics and afficianados.

The sale price, 7,033,400 euros, including costs, was more than double the expected price of 3.5 million. The buyer was an American collector, who has requested anonymity, beating off six other bidders, two of whom were French and one British.

“This canvas, which was worth a catalogue on its own, is at the conjunction of abstraction and figuration,” enthused Francis Briest, co-president of auction house Artcurial. “The bidders surpassed themselves to obtain it. It will not come back onto the market for more than 30 years.”

The previous record price for a de Staël was 2.4 million euros for a landscape, Agrigente, sold in Paris last May.

Paris’s Pompidou Centre staged a comprehensive exhibition of De Staël’s work in 2003.

Vacation Spots : JACMEL, HAITI

Jacmel founded in 1698 has a distinguished history of economic and cultural prosperity. A prominent center for trade and commerce, Jacmel was once a significant port for the exportation of coffee and precious oils. Today, Jacmel is considered by many to be the cultural capital of Haiti. Known for its distinctive artistic traditions, Jacmel has produced some of Haiti's best-known painters, writers and poets. With 
its rich cultural scene, Jacmel is one of the major production centers for indigenous arts and crafts.





Jacmel is a place apart from the rest of the country. Known for its French colonial architecture, the town has maintained a distinctive, Old World charm. Beautiful beaches and unique hotels draw Haitians and
 foreigners alike to Jacmel for calm and relaxation. In fact, Jacmel’s urban and architectural design is credited with having influenced New Orleans’ French Quarter which was modeled on the center of town of Jacmel. Today Jacmel has been tentatively accepted as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The quality of life, services and infrastructure in Jacmel maintain a climate of general peace and stability not easily found in other parts of the nation. These factors make it the most dynamic and interesting place to begin to comprehend this often-misunderstood nation.Jacmel is host to the most academically progressive French Lycee in the nation and celebrates a popular carnival renowned for its artistic uniqueness each year. Jacmel is Haiti's fifth largest city, with an estimated population of 60,000.

2011 Haitian Art Home Sale

When: Saturday, December 3rd Sunday, December 4th

Saturday, December 10th Sunday, December 11th

Where: Plantation, Florida

How: Call Candice at (954) 792-9887

For the last 21 years, I have opened my Plantation, Florida home to sell wonderful Haitian art in all media -- paintings, wood sculptures, metal sculptures (painted and unpainted) and sacred textiles in the form of Vodou flags. This year's show scheduled for Saturday and Sunday afternoons features exquisite new Vodou flags by Jean Baptiste Jean Joseph, a master of the sequin art medium. Using the small form, he creates little masterpieces, embellishing the cloth with cats, free-form designs and Vodou symbols. Look for paintings by Andre Pierre, Saint Soleil geniuses Levoy Exil and Prospere Pierre Louis, and affordable gifts like hand-painted metal suns.

Every year I change the format and emphasis of what I lay out and put on the walls. It's always fun to meet with collectors and old friends to discuss Haiti and the peerless art produced by its residents, past and present. If you want to come to the show or make an appointment in my home for later, please telephone me at 954-792-9887. I look forward to hearing from you.

-Candice Russell

Haiti Art Expo 2011 Attracts Celebs Like Val Kilmer, Global Power Players and Raises Awareness and Funds For Haiti During Art Basel Miami

MIAMI, Dec. 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The lively spirit of Haiti was revealed through empowering works of art during Haiti Art Expo 2011, December 1-4 in the heart of Miami's Design District. Held during prestigious Art Basel, Design Miami and Art Fairs Weekend, Haiti Art Expo attracted thousands to its collection of fine arts, objets d'art and photography — all for the cause of boosting progress for Haiti's people.


The four-night extravaganza was presented by Miami Magazine and sponsored by Marquis Vodka, Ludus Athletics and Capponi Construction Group. Michael Capponi, Jeff Feldman and Rachel Moscoso Denis produced the exhibit, with art curated by Michele Frisch of Galerie Marassa in Haiti.
The producers gave each of the weekend's first three nights to one of three non-profit groups dedicated to human and infrastructure development in Haiti.
"All of the organizations in Haiti Art Expo 2011 are making an impact on the Haitian nation," said Miami Publisher Anne Owen. "We were so honored to take part in such a prestigious and worthy cause."
Haiti Empowerment Mission hosted the expo's opening night Thursday, with two honorary hosts representing the administration of Haiti's President Michel Martelly: Minister of Tourism Stephanie Balmir Villedrouin, Secretary of State Elsa Baussan Noel. In addition, welcoming special guest Sheldon T. Anderson. The event was covered by Miami newscasters Calvin Hughes (Local 10) and Shannon Hori (CBS4), and the Miami Design District presented a stunning video: Miami Design District | Haiti Art Expo 2011.
Friday night's party benefited Hand in Hand for Haiti a school-building project created by the travel retail industry with support from Miami-based Onboard Media and its sister company, Starboard Cruise Services. The gala evening attracted such celebrities as actor Val Kilmer and artists Philippe Dodard and Manuel Mathieu. Also on display were original handprints created by Harrison Ford, Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Jay Leno and other stars. They are being auctioned through Dec. 17 at www.haitiartexpo2011.kintera.org 
On Saturday, Hard Hats for Haiti and Pan American Development Foundation welcomed Haiti government officials, local personalities and a throng of art lovers. The evening's highlight was the unveiling of "Haiti: Hope in Progress," a limited-edition series of images shot in Haiti by photographer/artist Jordan Michael Zuniga. Other campaign partners, such as MTV, JW Marriot Brickell and Chef Ron Duprat, donated gifts to raffle, and guests also made private donations.