Pot Genesis Carrero Soto |
Caracas (EFE).- Kinetic art, inspired by one of its main exponents, Carlos Cruz-Díez from Caracas, led nine artists with Down syndrome and autism spectrum to show their talent at the National System of Museums of Venezuela, a circuit that, for the first time, makes visible the talent of painters with cognitive limitations to exalt that there are no barriers in art.
“Color without Limits” is the name of the art exhibition that was recently inaugurated in the spaces of the Carlos Cruz-Díez Print and Design Arts Museum, in Caracas, and which exhibits, in 24 paintings, the work of nine young people of different ages, six of them with Down syndrome and three with autism spectrum disorder.
The general coordinator of Registration and Conservation of the National Museums Foundation, Irarkil Rangel, assured that these are pieces of art “in the strict sense of the word”, because, contrary to any limitation that some would think that these artists have, the paintings show the composition, color and structure of any high-level work.
“In the 32 years that I have been in the most important museum institution in the country (…), this is the first proposal where we can visualize beyond the subjective characterizations that we have of these artists that we could consider had a limitation. But, the truth, when we see these works we recognize that there is no possible limit in them, they are works of art in the strict sense, ”he told EFE.
Inclusion
The organizers emphasize that the exhibition is a stimulus for inclusive participation in cultural spaces and a window to show the talent of groups that, in the past, were excluded.
This is confirmed by the artist and therapeutic art teacher Patricia Jordan, who is in charge of the Atelier de Pintores school, where children, young people and adults with cognitive limitations are trained, and in which the works of kinetic art that will be exhibited were selected. until the end of June.
“For me it is to see a dream come true and for them too, and that is how they understand it. The invitation is for more people to join, not to be afraid, there is a lot of capacity. They have an impressive capacity with the art part, what you have to do is understand it and be able to get the best out of it, ”he explained to EFE.
Jordan assured that the artists, between the ages of 12 and 46, know they are participants in a historical event by being part of the first exhibition signed by people with autism or Down syndrome that is exhibited in a museum on the national public circuit.
He explained that the exhibitors have been preparing for about two years and acquiring the conditions to create works loaded with content, and with a “personal stamp.”
“They loved it, they were passionate (…) It has been free, they have chosen their works, their colors and they are already prepared to make that balance in an artistic composition,” explained the teacher.
In a month and a half, the nine artists built the 24 pieces full of color, depth and lines, a challenge, due to their condition, to produce small and precise movements.
Teaching beyond the atelier
Among the exhibitors is Grace Torres, a 15-year-old teenager who proudly showed EFE the three paintings that have her signature in the exhibition.
Her autism does not limit her to explain that women are the inspiration in her paintings, in which the silhouettes of “little dolls” can be seen which, for her, “represent femininity” and the need for them to “have the same importance as the men”.
Like her, Emilio Araujo, 40, was proud of his painting in which you can see big lips with a caramel full of lines and bright colors, both characteristics of kinetic art.
Motivated by the momentum of this exhibition, Jordan now focuses on teaching other teachers the benefits of art therapy for people with some cognitive limitation.
She is convinced that replicating the work of her school will improve the quality of life of people living with autism, Down syndrome and other disorders.
