As part of the "Prome Encuentro Bienal Art Contemporaneo" being held in Aruba, starting on Saturday these large creations will be on display at Baby Beach on Saturday July 21 as of 5:00pm), at Eagle Beach on Sunday July 22 as of 5:00pm and at Wilhelmina Park on Tuesday July 24 as of 6:00pm.
Organized by founder and curator Alejandro Mendoza the expositions will feature giant sculptures fabricated in nylon, inflated, and supported upright by a continuous supply of air through the interior. Although imposing in height, these are light-weight and easy to install: the sculptures that can be inflated and deflated in minutes, and can then be packed in a bag and carried to a new location - anywhere on the island or in the world. They are supported upright by a continuous stream of air from a generator.
The objective of this exposition is to incorporate giant inflatable art sculptures on the island in public spaces to bring forward the importance of art in the existing urban landscape. And to give to the community and the general public a contemporary visual art experience as never seen before. Offering families the experience where kids and their parents can stroll, take a tour, play with (and punch) the sculptures, and maybe even learn a thing or two about nature. The exposition will trigger and motivate the public to visit the other expositions and events.
Norelkys Blazekovic, Project Director of Giants in the City gave us her take on this project:
How did the idea arise to organize the 'Giants in the City' exposition?
In the words of GIANTS IN THE CITY founder artist Alejandro Mendoza "the creation of Giants in the City was born out of my desire and necessity to express my work into a giant scale and to give art accessibility to a massive interaction in all sectors within the community. Art public exhibition is fascinating to everyone. The Giants are a contemporary visual art experience. These sculptures are "intelligent", they can be moved from one place to another quickly and easily. The Giants resemble a colossal paradigm of an urban nomad; made to survive in the city... they live and feed themselves with the city's air. GIANTS IN THE CITY are modern, contemporary, universal and of the order of myth. They tell the story of humanity, the greatness and fragility of humankind!"
The objective of this exposition is 'to bring forward the importance of art in existing urban landscapes', do you feel that art is under appreciated in Aruba?
"Not at all if art was under appreciated we will never be invited to come here in the first place, in the contrary by arrival we immediately felt art is welcome and want it here and thank's to Prome Encuentro Bienal Arte di Aruba we have the opportunity to bring our international traveling project to Aruba. GIANTS IN THE CITY are a critical voice that raises the first question on the issue of the term "public." How is it used, by whom, and for what purposes?"
How do you think this exposition will contribute in reaching above mentioned goal?
YES, Aruba feels as a GIANT outdoor playground ideal setting for a monumental inflatable exhibition as of GIANTS IN THE CITY. Regardless any cultural background the exhibition brings people together becoming an all ages platform; the viewer becomes aware of himself and of his movement "through its location, height, length, horizontally and lean, grounds one in the physical condition of the place to engage audiences to think critically!
Why did you choose these locations to showcase the sculptures?
In order to celebrate the true meaning of art in public places Prome Encuentro Bienal Arte di Aruba has chosen the locations creating an all inclusive contemporary event that integrates local families, public in general and tourist visiting to a contemporaneous monumental inflatable art exhibition. We are tremendously inspired by Scott Burton, one of the most recognized of the site-specific public artists of the 1980s who believed that "what architecture or design or public art have in common is their social function or content.!
Are you planning to organize more art events in Aruba?
Yes definitively in a early meeting today with the Minister of Economic Affairs, Social Affairs and Culture, Minister Michelle Hooyboer-Winklaar, Co-curator: Alida Martínez, artist and cultural organizer, Fundacion Encuentro Prome Bienal di Aruba & GIANTS IN THE CITY founder artist Alejandro Mendoza and Jose Manuel Noceda Centro Wilfredo Lam Havana Cuba & Havana biennial Curator we have agreed a larger exhibition is need it. We will be honor to come back to bring approx 20 GIANTS that will include an all hands on workshop with local kids to give them the opportunity to cut, paint and fabricate their own GIANTS. BABY GIANTS IN THE CITY ARUBA!
We are also please to invite Co-curator: Alida Martínez, artist and cultural organizer, Fundacion Encuentro Prome Bienal di Aruba to participate an a GUEST ARTISTS representing Aruba in our annual biggest international show GIANTS IN THE CITY Miami 2012 during Art Basel Miami week and satellite art fairs.
