The "Museo de Las Americas: Part II" Story

 

Photograph of the Museo de Las Americas showing the
walled interior and the courtyard.

It was an ordinary day.  Traipsing through the many galleries that feature the work of Puerto Rican artist Antonio Martorell.  Mr. Martorell was born in Santurce and has been involved in the arts his entire life so as to justify his birth and postpone his death according to him.  He is the father of dancer Alejandra Martorell, stepfather of Giovanni Rodriguez who directed the cult film Red Canyon, and the grandfather of Gael Rodriguez.  He has exhibited and performed, created installations, engaged in workshops and lectured in Latin America, North America, the Caribbean and Europe, and participated in international collective exhibitions on all five continents.  He holds numerous awards both nationally and internationally.  

Wall of letters from artist Antonio Martorell.

The Museo de Las Americas is displaying objects from and of his work from September of 2015 until January of 2016.  One of Mr. Martorell's projects he has carried out in the past was to help in the designing of an alphabet in collaboration with the local Public School #48 students so that they will endear themselves to letters and words.  The concept is based on the tradition of medieval and baroque alphabets with human figures designed into the letters.  

Artist Antonio Martorell.

The project consisted of letters depicted in 26 colored woodcuts that were printed in a variety of textured and colored fabrics, framed and hung in the school auditorium alongside the wood cuts.  Along with the cuts hung a quote from Maria de Hostos who was an educator of Dominican and Puerto Rican lineage.  The quote read "Ignorance is the worst enemy of civilization."  My visit to the gallery today was immensely interesting, since I too have worked with students in the graphic arts and many of the works on display are from the same areas that I have taught for over 30 years.  The many wood cuts and screen prints brought back so many memories from my past and made me feel "at home" as I walked from one gallery to the next viewing Mr. Martorell's work.  Following are photographs of much of his work which I enjoyed tremendously.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.  PS - Please click on the photos to enlarge them.

We were greeted with this whimsical piece of art from Mr. Martorell as we walked from the 1st floor to the 2nd floor.

All these panels are prints from woodcuts.

A closeup of one of the actual woodcuts.  You can see the tool marks in the wood where the artist has cut the wood away.  The part that remains is the part that will print.  Known as relief printing.

Another woodcut print.

A display of prints place on sheer fabric that can be viewed from either side when lit.

This is another medium for the artist.  On the walls are pieces of mirror placed to form words that hold the word "Cover" in them while the floor is round ceramic tiles.

What you are viewing here are silk-screen frames that are rear-lit so you can view the actual screen with the design on it.

Carol and Just Sue are talking with the museum guide as they view this work by the artist.

A local library suffered a devastating fire which became the subject for a series of work by Mr. Martorell.

Another artwork depicting the remnants of the fire.

Bigger than life rocking chair with LDub relaxing under it.

Carol is admiring the work on the wall above the carpet designed by the artist.

Another photograph of the artist, Antonio Martorell