On Common Ground:
Dominican Republic and Haiti

Opening Reception: Febraury 13, 2013 at 6pm

On View: February 13 - May 26, 2013

AMA ׀ Art Museum of the Americas
201 18th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20006

Hours Tuesday - Sunday | 10 AM - 5 PM

ABOUT THE EXHIBITION
AMA | Art Museum of the Americas of the Organization of American States (OAS), in conjunction with the Embassies of the Dominican Republic and Haiti in Washington, D.C., is proud to present On Common Ground: Dominican Republic and Haiti, an exhibition of works by emerging artists of Hispaniola, the island that these two countries share.  These artists offer fresh perspectives on Hispaniola’s cultural scene and address misconceptions surrounding its two nations' complex relationship with one another, imagining a brighter future.  This exhibition furthers AMA’s mission of promoting the Inter-American agenda through the promotion of democracy and social change through the arts, consensus building, and the encouragement of diversity.
 
Curated by Gaël Monnin, the exhibition examines everyday aspects of the islanders’ states of mind, their contradicting feelings of frustration and love, and the desire to leave and the hope to stay. The role of nature in the identity-building process is highlighted in the exhibition, both as a source of life and as a cause of destruction. Tropical paradise and the dismay caused by natural phenomena are exemplified as nature's means of setting the course of the island's future. While the Dominican Republic and Haiti are indeed culturally, socially and economically diverse, On Common Ground: Dominican Republic and Haiti explores historic and present-day commonalities that continue to shape the identities of future generations.  

The exhibition seeks to find a structure within the multifaceted relationship between people and the places to which they belong, looking to tradition and social history as well as contemporary society.  This dialogue brings fresh air to both sides of the island, stepping outside of Hispaniola to continue the discourse among emerging artists of both countries from a new perspective.

Dominican Artists
Natalia Ortega Gámez
Hulda Guzmán
Gustavo Peña
Engel Leonardo
Julio Valdez

Haitian Artists
Killy Patrick Ganthier
Marc Lee Steed
Jean Emmanuel
Manuel Mathieu
Pascale Monnin