3 Cafes & the National Theatre
Our busy day starts meeting the artist, Denis Nuñez. He greets me with open arms, “mi linda amiga” he roars. I have been visiting (and writing about) Denis for over ten years now. The last 5 years he has been reclusive, but he is full force today, with eyebrows that would make Groucho Marx jealous. He usually paints abstract impressionistically with figurative elements. And full of color. He talks passionately during our interview that we record with too loud music in the background (yes, we ask them to turn it down, but they did not…is there some theory as to why cafes play such loud music?)
All of us, including Denis and family, then go meet another artist exhibiting at the National Theatre, Juan Rivas.
I have been here before, there is a solo violinist playing in the lower chamber. I am fortunate to see a fantastic exhibition of the Modernists in the entry level. The upper level has Juan’s show. I like his work; it references the glyphs of the caves and pre-Hispanic pottery. The first time I saw his work was in Denis’s gallery many years ago, but now I meet Juan as well. Johann and I purchase two works for the gallery at Rancho Santana and I select a few works to show Mark for his collection of contemporary art.
The next stop, a café where we meet the important conceptual artist, Patricia Belli. Talking with her really helps me to understand her work and also the direction of many contemporary artists in Central America.
I start thinking about the difference between traditional mediums, like paintings and etchings, with conceptual works. The viewer can interpret a painting according to their own experiences, but, to me, conceptual art is best appreciated with an explanation. Patricia and I make a good connection and I know she will be a valuable resource for us.
We meet Juanita Bermudez at her office with Ramiro Ortiz, a great collector and owner of the museum of art in the old capital of Nicaragua, León. She is another valuable resource. She had a gallery, Codice, from 1992 to a few years ago. Mark has purchased many works of art from that gallery for his home here. There is an exhibition here in his offices of contemporary art, many of the artists of whom Patricia spoke. Also, some very fine ceramics are on display, the artists well recognized for their talent.
Dinner at a nice restaurant (with Café in its name) with Javier Valle-Perez. I have a whiskey, actually a double single malt, and Johann conducts the interview. What I like about Javier’s work is his reference to mechanical objects - trains, automobiles, planes, juke boxes - always in unique color combinations.
Finally, Johann says, “you look sleepy” and I reply, “Yes, 3 cafes, 3 exhibitions, 4 artists, a historian, the National Theatre and a private violin concert…What a satisfying day.”
