Macondo Caput Mundi

The city of Macondo, created by Colombian writer Gabriel Garcia Márquez in his best-selling book “One Hundred Years of Solitude,” is a place of debate and mystery. Nestled somewhere in the humid, hot Colombian Caribbean, with an abundance of bananas and the sweet aroma of guavas, its true identity is the subject of speculation. Is it a real city? Some argue that Macondo is Aracataca, the city where Márquez himself grew up.

(…) In this exhibition, we are pleased to present artworks from the Luciano Mendez collection. Over the course of two decades, collector Luciano has visited artists’ studios, meticulously selecting authentic works of art that embody the soul and magic of Cuba. Havana’s architecture, captured by Luis Enrique Camejo, seems to transcend time in his paintings. A century from now, it would be preferable to recognize Havana through Camejo’s art rather than realistic photographs, a testament to the unique perspectives of our featured artists.

Young post-pop artist Daniela Aguila chooses to bring her female characters into an idealized world, while remaining grounded in reality. Her original female characters seem to have stepped out of the book One Hundred Years of Solitude; some seem to dream with their eyes open, others fly with their umbrellas like Remedios La Bella did in the book, and some invite us into a parallel universe.

The theme of solitude is poignantly portrayed in Javier Barreiro’s painting. With a deep knowledge of art history and the brilliance of great masters like Goya, Javier engages with the seven generations of the Buendías. His conclusion is sobering: not even the power of Magical Realism can rescue the Buendías from their profound loneliness. This contemplative theme invites the audience to introspect and immerse themselves in the exhibition’s deepest layers.

Andrea Pastore

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