ArteZanos
In 2014, I embarked on the ambitious project of designing and managing a socially engaged platform for Cerveza Zulia to bolster the thriving local creative community. The platform aimed to foster collaboration between the brand and various public and private organizations committed to advancing the country’s cultural landscape.
Out of this endeavor, arteZanos emerged as a dedicated platform that served as a catalyst for Venezuelan artists, offering them extensive media coverage and valuable sponsorship opportunities to showcase their work. With a core focus on highlighting originality, arteZanos spearheaded the coordination of cultural events and curated exhibitions in diverse public and private venues, amplifying the reach and impact of visual arts, photography, film, calligraphy, and illustration, among other forms of self-expression.
First Edition
Eleven artists join in a tribute to Zapata at El Hatillo's Cultural Center
In May 2015, arteZanos organized its inaugural group exhibition with the invaluable support of the Mayor and the Department of Culture of El Hatillo County. In response to the enthusiasm of local cultural agents, a group of artists came together to pay homage to the esteemed Venezuelan master artist and journalist, Pedro León Zapata. The exhibition took place at the Alternative Spaces of the El Hatillo Cultural Center, drawing in representatives from the vibrant cultural and artistic community.
Pedro León Zapata stands as the preeminent Venezuelan graphic chronicler of the 20th century. His influential legacy began at the young age of 17, marked by the publication of his first caricature in the Fantoches magazine, signed under the pseudonym P.P. (Workshop La Barraca de Maripérez, 1947). His work continues to serve as a vital journalistic reference, resonating with generations of admirers.
Cerveza Zulia extended invitations to eleven emerging artists, thoughtfully curated by Mafe Izaguirre and Hector Barbosa, to participate in the arteZanos initiative. Each artist was tasked with creating a graphic reinterpretation inspired by Zapata’s illustrious body of work. Daniel Mijares, director of La Cucaracha Serigráfica workshop, skillfully handled the printing of the artworks, adding another layer of finesse to the exhibition.
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ArteZanos at MACZUL
In July 2015, the Museum of Contemporary Art of Zulia (MACZUL), under the leadership of its president Lourdes Peñaranda, extended an invitation to bring the exhibition to the city of Maracaibo. In a heartfelt gesture of support for the initiative, the museum dedicated three weeks to showcase the Zapata Tribute. The exhibition garnered an enthusiastic response from local cultural enthusiasts, the media, and the general public, creating a positive and engaging experience for all involved.
Second Edition
20 artists pay tribute to Reverón in the windows of El Hatillo
Manuel Tomillo, El Mundo Newspaper, November 15, 2015.
“El Hatillo’s Windows” takes center stage this weekend as the focal point of attention. The ArteZanos platform will pay homage to Armando Reverón, showcasing a diverse array of twenty artistic proposals in various styles, all set against the backdrop of an open-air art event.
A group of twenty artists has transformed the public space in El Hatillo’s Town, Caracas (VE), for the collective art exhibition titled “El Hatillo’s Windows,” curated by Mafe Izaguirre. This exhibition serves as a tribute to one of the most prominent Venezuelan artists of the twentieth century, Armando Reverón.
The cultural event offers a plethora of city interventions and performances. Collaborating with the emerging Venezuelan poet based in New York, Juan Luis Landaeta, visual artists and sculptors will offer a cross-media dialogue dedicated to the master Reverón, as explained by Maria Fernanda Izaguirre, the curator of the exhibition.
“El Hatillo’s Windows Show” goes beyond the scope of a typical exhibition, fostering an interaction between local artists and their community. The unique aspect of this show lies in its inclusion of ten artists from El Hatillo’s Town and ten guest artists from other regions of the country. Izaguirre has curated a diverse collection of graffiti, video art, performances, installations, and mixed media. “Our goal is to bring art to the streets, activating public spaces as cultural hubs and facilitating encounters between pedestrians, emerging artists, and their innovative proposals,” she emphasized.
El Mundo, a Venezuelan evening newspaper, was established on February 3, 1958, in Caracas, shortly after the end of Marcos Pérez Jiménez’s dictatorship on January 23, 1958. It was founded by Miguel Ángel Capriles Ayala, the same visionary behind the launch of Últimas Noticias in 1941. The newspaper’s inaugural director was the esteemed journalist and future President Ramón José Velásquez. Regrettably, like many other media outlets under the regime of Nicolás Maduro, El Mundo ceased to exist in the market.
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ArteZanos Billboard
In August 2015, Cerveza Zulia unveiled a new space for arteZanos, relinquishing one of its prominent billboards to promote emerging talent. This distinctive location, situated at the end of Las Mercedes Ave., served as a platform for the first featured artist, Luiz Legz, a talented 21-year-old lettering artist. The inauguration celebration included a toast, a media tour, and a vernissage dedicated to showcasing the artist and his captivating project.
Exhibitions
2015 | Curator, arteZanos presents “Ventanas El Hatillo.” Ephemeral exhibition at El Hatillo’s public space. Twenty-one featured artists paying tribute to national artist Armando Reverón. November 13th and 15th – Caracas, Venezuela.
2015 | Curator, arteZanos Pedro León Zapata Tribute. Museum of Contemporary Art of Zulia (MACZUL). Eleven emerging artists paying tribute to national artist Pedro León Zapata. Maracaibo, Venezuela.
2015 | Curator, arteZanos Pedro León Zapata Tribute. Los Amigos Invisibles Acoustic Show at Teresa Carreño’s Theater. Eleven emerging artists paying tribute to national artist Pedro León Zapata. Caracas, Venezuela.
2015 | Curator, arteZanos Pedro León Zapata Tribute. Alternative Spaces El Hatillo’s Art Center. Eleven emerging artists paying tribute to national artist Pedro León Zapata. Caracas, Venezuela.
Press (Spanish)
- Runrunes, Octubre 2015, arteZanos y Luis Legz, llenan Caracas de arte.
- El Estímulo, Octubre 2015. Legz corona la valla de Las Mercedes con su tipografía.
- Diario La Verdad, Agosto 2015. Homenaje a Zapata llega al MACZUL.
© 2023 Mafe Izaguirre. All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this work or portions thereof in any form whatsoever.