Arts and Culture

A collection of photography focused on Latin America at Instituto Cervantes in New York City will challenge the way you view that vast and storied culture. Jika González reviews the award-winning exhibition from Madrid that portrays strength and resilience in places as varied as Mexico, Peru, Argentina and parts of Cental America. A slideshow accompanies the essay.

In pop art, a performance piece, and the urban scene, "revolutionary" was the theme du jour for three artistic presentations recently in New York City. Shaun Randol reviews Shepard Fairey's portrait gallery of revolutionary figures; Chaw Ei Thein's tortured performance piece in homage to imprisoned, Burmese revolutionaries; and revolutionary street artist Banksy's film, Exit Through the Gift Shop.

Language, cultural biases, fear and other elements of society can become barriers to communication and problem solving. But one thing remains certain: across borders, be it political or cultural, music is universal. Here, William Harvey shares experiences of using music to build trust between cultures. In the process, his organization, Cultures in Harmony, lays one more stepping stone in the greater path to peace.

Vasily Kandinsky achieved the impossible. With careful refinement through a purposefully drawn-out, evolutionary process, the artist methodically developed a way to translate abstract conceptions onto the canvas. Music, the ultimate abstract art form, was his inspiration. In this essay, Shaun Randol reviews The Solomon R. Guggenheim's comprehensive, rich exhibition of Kandinsky's vision and breakthrough achievements.

In major cities they are everywhere and they are nowhere. The homeless are as much a part of the urban portrait as are speeding taxi cabs, camera toting tourists, rushing businessmen and police on patrol, yet passersby prefer to avert their attention rather than look the threadbare in the eyes. They are invisible. Until now. Nia Hyatt reviews The Invisible Man, directed by Arthur Yorinks.  

Reggaeton music is becoming increasingly popular in the United States, and Puerto Ricans in New York City are leading the charge. Alison Desir explores whether or not Reggaeton is changing the face of hip-hop, or if it is a genre unto its own. Her interviews with hip-hop label executives are telling.

Two concurrent exhibits at New York's New Museum, Emory Douglas: Black Panther and Rigo 23: The Deeper They Bury Me, The Louder My Voice Becomes, ooze with revolutionary spirit. Nia Hyatt takes a look at the museum's portrayal of two of the Black Panthers' most influential voices.