11 June 8-14, 2023 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com New Times | Contents | Letters | news | night+Day | Culture | Cafe | MusiC | Order online at gablestage.org or by phone: (305) 445-1119 CODE MNTP10 for $10 OFF Directed by Bari Newport Directed by Victoria Collado Starring Kevin Cruz Diana Garle David Kwiat Barbara Sloan June 9 - July 16 “…the best stage comedy of the summer.” — Minneapolis Star Tribune miaminewtimes.com MIAMI NEW TIMES | CONTENTS | LETTERS | RIPTIDE | METRO | NIGHT+DAY | STAGE | ART | FILM | CAFE | MUSIC | In Stiches Anabella Bergero sews color and sows culture at Faena Art. BY CAROLINA DEL BUSTO F or months, Anabella Bergero would walk past the Faena Art Project Room along Collins Ave- nue, dreaming of one day putting on her own show in the highly vis- ible gallery. Unsurprisingly, the space was never empty for long between shows. So this past April, on the opening night of her exhibi- tion, “Heart of Community,” the artist and designer is beaming with pride. “I knew what I wanted to do within the space, so finally seeing it come to fruition was very emotional for me,” Bergero says. “Heart of Com- munity,” on view through July 28, is a culmination of years of research by the artist. She first began photographing and exploring different parts of Mexico in 2019 as a project for her master’s degree. Born in Argentina but raised in Mexico, Bergero says bright, happy colors have always been a part of her life and art. “Part of the exhibition is that it is an ex- pression of joy, and it’s using art as a state of encounter,” Bergero explains, adding how she enjoys how each visitor imbues some- thing unique to the space. It’s all about the vi- brations left behind. As the viewer enters the space, they’re im- mediately confronted with an overwhelming explosion of color and fabric. From the large quinceañera-inspired dress hanging from the ceiling to the other large heart-shaped cush- ions floating around to the vibrant wallpaper and neon signs covering the walls, there is much to look at. “I grew up surrounded by color,” Bergero says, motioning to all the work around her. “And I feel that oftentimes modern, contem- porary art loses a little bit of color, so I wanted to take the colors I grew up with and just put them everywhere.” Every photo featured in the exhibition was an image captured by Bergero. There are also prints of personal documents, like an old passport, that she’s printed on fabric and sewn into beautiful creations. While the works are deeply personal for Bergero, they are also entirely relatable — especially to a Miami audience. The exhibition aims to construct and re- construct familiar narratives surrounding the Latin people. “I wanted to challenge those stereotypes with a narrative in this space that transmits joy and celebrates our culture while also explor- ing the ideas of femininity and what it means to be a woman in Latin America,” she adds. “Heart of Community,” like all the other exhibits featured in the Project Room, is made possible by Faena Art. Executive direc- tor Nicole Comotti says the program’s mis- sion is to support local artists and give back to the community. “What’s so important for Faena Art is re- ally being able to give a space to artists within the community,” Comotti says. “To support them in a way that they can do cutting-edge programming. They can push their own boundaries, and we can be a platform to really expose them and give them opportunities. And also to help launch emerging artists.” Faena Art does about three to four exhibi- tions in the Project Room a year, each with special programming that allows the commu- nity to be involved. As part of “Heart of Com- munity,” Bergero is recording a podcast from within the space and offering tie-dye sessions that are free and open to the public. “Everything is really about throwing it back into the community,” Comotti adds. “We make art accessible to all.” “Anabella Bergero: Heart of Community.” On view through July 28, at the Faena Art Project Room, 3420 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; fae- naart.org. Admission is free. [email protected] ▼ Culture Anabella Bergero’s exhibition, “Heart of Community,” is now on view at the Faena Art Project Room through July 28. Photo by Sol Alonso/Faena Art “I WANTED TO TAKE THE COLORS I GREW UP WITH AND JUST PUT THEM EVERYWHERE.” register to win at miaminewtimes.com/promos COOL STUFF go here to WIN
