Musings on Art

When one mentions the name Ivan Tovar , what comes to mind is a famous Dominican painter who is an enigma . It is unlikely that you will ever run into Tovar at art events in the Dominican Republic.  Instead, he is someone who keeps to himself.  There are stories that if you want to buy a work of art by Tovar, you need to go to his house in the beautiful northern town of Jarabacoa, near Santiago, in the Dominican Republic.  Yet, you cannot just appear at his house; you must call him to make an appointment. Ivan Tovar in his house in Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic.  Photo by Frank Pimentel Good luck finding his phone number, but for good reason. Ivan Tovar may be the most successful Dominican surrealist painter to make a name for himself outside of the Dominican Republi c.  His paintings sell for over $50,000USD .  In an artnet search for past auction results, 77 results appear. Who is Ivan Tovar?   Ivan Tovar was born in San Francisco de Macoris, Domincan Republic in 1942.

For the first time in its history, the Dominican Republic has been invited to participate in the 2014 Venice Architecture Biennale from June 7 - November 23, 2014. The Biennale is one of the most prestigious cultural events in the world, with over a century promoting new trends in the arts The Laboratorio de Arquitectura Dominican a (LAD) has been appointed curatorial team for the Dominican Republic. Check out their video about the Biennale. LAD LA FERIA CONCRETA from LAD_DR on Vimeo . A photo from the pavillion, with work "Fair Concrete/La Feria Concrete"    PHOTO Courtesy Andrea Avezzù/la Biennale di Venezia To see more coverage, including photos of the Dominican Republic at the Biennale, read Vanessa Quirk's article from ArchDaily here  What a proud moment for the Dominican Republic!

The Cultural Center Eduardo León Jimenes (Centro León) is a world-class institution with an impressive museum collection of  Dominican art from the 20th and 21st century.  It was founded on October 3, 2003. Mission "Its mission is to develop creativity through research, protection, exhibition and diffusion of Dominican artistic and cultural undertakings, and of everything that contributes to the conformation of a more transcendent values sensitive society, prouder of itself, and capable of taking active part in the improvement of the quality of life of the nation within the Caribbean context." http://www.fundacionelj.org.do/eng/centro-leon.php  History Eduardo León Jimenes opened a cigar factory in the Dominican Republic, which made La Auroras cigars.  His company, known as Grupo Leon Jimenes, began making making cigarettes in 1963.  In 1969 the company forged a relationship with Philip Morris, which owns a minority stake in Empresa León Jimenes and produces

In Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, there are over twenty galleries. These galleries represent the some of the best artists in the country. Arawak Directora: Mildred Canahuate Rafael Augusto Sánchez #53, Piantini. Telf. 809 565 3614 arawak.art@gmail.com web site: http://www.artearawak.org Arte Berri Directoras: Amaya Salazar y Binguene Armenteros. Calle Hostos #105, Zona Colonial. Tel.: 809 688 2073 web site: http://www.arteberri.com Arte San Ramón Directors: Susy Guzman Ave. Abraham Lincoln 904 809 541 0494 web site: http://artesanramon.net/   artesanramon@artesanramon.com Bodden Director: Juan Julio Bodden. C/ El Buen Pastor No. 18 Evaristo Morales Santo Domingo, Republica Dominicana Sucursal Bella Vista Mall, Av. Sarasota Santo Domingo, Republica Dominicana Tel.: 809 732 0000 Cel.: 786 342 1239 Fax: 809 732 0001 D’ Guillermo Galería Directora: Amalia de Perez Plaza Acropolis, 1er. Piso Av. Winston Churchill Esq. And