By Amanda Rabines
The songs of Ismael Rivera, a Puerto Rican composer and singer, play inside Carlos Luna’s warehouse in Miami.
This is where the contemporary Cuban artist compiled “The Green Machine,” one of the latest exhibits in FIU’s Patricia & Phillip Frost museum.
Much like the songs he plays, Luna is strongly influenced by the multiculturalism of Latin American and how its traditions tie history and art together.
Luna’s references to Afro Cuban traditions, Cuba’s culture, and the modern artists of Mexican paintings can be seen through his mixed media and ceramic works as well as his paintings and tapestries.
Luna said he draws his influence from different artists like Rufino Tamayo and Wifredo Lam as well as his own experiences in his life.
During the Frost’s opening ceremony for his exhibit, Luna was there to talk about his process.
He said he marveled at the technology made available by Magnolia Editions, which would weave the fine art tapestries he’d paint.
Luna also commemorated his family, including his two grandmothers.
“They are the reason for my vision and my passion,” said Luna.
Luna grew up in Cuba until he moved to Mexico in 1991,where he lived for 13 years, before settling in Miami.
His displayed artworks show his cross-pollination of influences from Cuba, Mexico, and Miami.
One of the highlighted pieces of The Green Machine is Luna’s “Gran Mambo” or “The Great Mambo” which towers at nearly 12 feet.
Its vibrant blue and gold colors entrap the words, “Mirame Siempre,” or “Look at my Always,” in the center of the piece.
Luna said in the written description of the painting that “El Gran Mambo” tells the story of his journey through three countries.
“The musicality and rhythm of El Gran Mambo are powerful elements of this centerpiece,” said Luna in a written description.
But Luna’s work is not the only exhibits that captures the ties between different Latin cultures.
Fine art and media photographer Richard Sexton, whose photos are exhibited worldwide, has his photographs of New Orleans and the Latin Caribbean Sphere on display at FIU’s Frost museum, too.
His pictures were part of what started as a road trip to visit his college friend in South America, but later turned into a six month journey from Mexico to Bolivia on a station wagon.
His photos explore and capture different regions of Latin America and also connect them to their influence in New Orleans architecture, color of ironwork, and dynamic of street culture.
“Creole World” will be on display until August 23.
Admission is free.
Call 305-348-2890 or visit thefrost.fiu.edu.