Santeria by JAVA: a Special 3 Day Event

"Madonna and Child", detail, found object assemblage





Exhibition & documentary film premier about the artist "Beauty in Everything" by Robert Horvath
Reception Feb. 11th, 6-9p


LOCAL ARTIST RECLAIMS TRASH ON NEW YORK STREETS FOR USE IN FINE ART EXHIBIT

Cuban-born artist, JAVA, creates body of work inspired by Santeria religion and his passion for recyclable material

New York, New York – January 25, 2011 - Franklin 54 Gallery + Projects presents: “Santeria”; a found object sculpture exhibit, showing from Saturday, February 12 to Sunday, February 13, 2011, 12-5PM, with an opening reception on Friday, February 11, 2011, 6-9PM in the West Chelsea Arts Building, while also premiering “Beauty in Everything”; a short documentary about the artist and his work, by Robert Horvath of DÉVA.

Russian-born filmmaker, Mr. Horvath, was inspired by JAVA’s show at Franklin 54 Gallery in March 2010. When the artist saw the documentary he was moved to create a new body of work reminiscent of the mystique and beauty of Santeria, a religion in Cuba that has influenced JAVA’s artistic expression since childhood.

The dynamic use of found objects in all the work and the artist’s love for garbage and recyclable materials, which trace back to his Castro post-revolutionary Cuba when money and supplies were scarce, if not unavailable, makes for a visually stunning show. In a statement by JAVA regarding his work, he says, “I know this beautiful blue planet where we live will one day be a dump…It’s up to us to save it by using our imagination.”

Using everything from crushed cans to abandoned wood, JAVA “places everything exactly where it should be”, states Joyce Pommer, gallery owner. His attitude of “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” is a wonderful one that he takes seriously in his dedication to the work.

JAVA is a self-taught artist, born and raised in Cuba, now living and working in New York. He has been featured in “Reclaimed”, a 2010 group show of artists who use recycled material, at the Southwest Minnesota State University Art Museum. His work was chosen for the 2009 National Payroll Week campaign and has been included in many exhibitions in Cuba, Italy, Miami and New York City.