Conversation with Cristina Vives, curator, and Adrián Fernández

 

Houston Center for Photography is proud to announce an exhibition of work, Life Style, by Cuban photographer Adrian Fernandez, curated by Cristina Vives, also from Havana, Cuba. The exhibition will be on view at HCP in Galleries X & Y from September 9 - November 6, 2011 with an artist talk at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, September 9, preceding the opening reception. 
 

This will be Adrian's first solo exhibition in the United States. Since HCP scheduled this exhibition with Adrián, he has been asked to be a guest lecturer at the Tisch School of Visual Arts, New York University and has also been invited to exhibit this fall at Musee Quai Branly, Paris, France. Adrian's career as a photographer and artist is truly taking off, and HCP is honored to debut this young artist's work in the United States. 
 

Adrian's photographs are conceptually interesting and visually stunning. The project aims to decipher some of the elements that make up the material and personal universe of a sector of "wealthy class" in contemporary Cuba. By means of several photographic series, he brings together different spaces and elements that he regards as keys in the understanding of the social and aesthetic dynamics governing this socio-economic class. Originally, he locates the facades of the houses, accumulating a variety of styles and forms of isolation by different obstacles like bars, fences, and walls, that separate the sidewalk and street from the garden and the house. Then, the interiors of these homes offer another perspective even more linked to the inhabitant. Objects and decorations bring the view closer to the taste, the aesthetic and cultural references that identify their residents. 

Some of these decorative objects are detailed separately in the photographic study, forming a precise study of the textures, colors and the way in which these items are placed as decoration in the interior living space of the residence. These items are, beyond their original utilitarian character, symbolic attributes that express an identity, and validates its condition of being a symbol of status and its power. 

Special thanks to our friends who have helped support this exhibition:
Julie and Drew Alexander
Bub Gulley
Frazier King
Barbara and Geoffrey Koslov
Jim Maloney
Jean Karotkin
Joan Morgenstern
Mike Stude


EXHIBITIONS ON VIEW AND RELATED PROGRAMMING 

Selected People - Pelle Cass - HCP’s Main Gallery, September 9 - November 6, 2011 

Life Style - Adrian Fernandez - HCP’s Gallery X/Y, September 9 - November 6, 2011 

Learning Curve 5 - HCP’s Learning Center Gallery, September 9 - November 6, 2011 

Opening Reception for all three exhibitions at HCP, Friday, September 9, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. 

Artist Talks: Beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, September 9 

Conversation with Cristina Vives, Curator, and Adrian Fernandez: Saturday, September 10, 2:00 p.m.