May 2, 2023
If you’re in Santo Domingo this week and into art, you’re in luck. Right now there are several outstanding exhibits in the Colonial Zone/la Zona, which is the oldest section of the Capital. This part of town is renowned for many New World ‘firsts’ including fort, cathedral, hospital, university and street grid. It’s been recognized by UNESCO for its historic and cultural significance and for its enduring authenticity. No matter what one’s age, there’s something about wandering among five hundred years old buildings that can make one feel relatively young. Even the trees around here are ancient.
That said, the art featured this month isn’t old at all. Most of it was created within just the past few years, and in one case, this year. Starting at Museo de Las Casas Reales you’ll find some artworks by one-time Inwood resident Antonio Pendones. He’s a mixed media visual artist who works with a variety of materials. Pendones was born in D.R. and studied at SVA in New York City, earning a BFA in 1999. His current show, “Subconscious Walk ’23,” is the evolution of an exhibition in Toronto, according to the Museo’s program.
“Beyond the immediate understanding of our experiences, lies a space where the hidden meaning of our emotions, desires and aspirations reside.” ~Antonio Pendones
(l-r) The Creative Heart; Figure 002; Paper Christ.
A short walk from there, crisscrossing the delightful Parque Colon, one comes to Quinta Dominica. This former convent has been repurposed as a cultural center whose contemporary mission is to support art, history and culture. At the moment its support for art manifests as an exhibit of works by Ramón Pacheco, aka Siloé, entitled “Momentos Apócrifos.” These fresh takes on ancient religious moments are a great fit for this 500 year old building that started out as an early outpost of Catholicism. Even without reading the little title plaques a visitor can recognize the Biblical references in these works.
After making one’s way through these ‘moments,’ a visitor may find themself standing in a serene, shaded courtyard where they can chill out with a delicious snack, craft beer or a café as mangoes ripen and drop from trees while water trickles quietly from an ancient fountain.
Quinta Dominica
“Momentos Apócrifos” by Ramón Pacheco, aka Siloé.
A little farther down this way one arrives at the Museo Fernando Peña Defilló. At this time there’s an exhibit of outfits created by fashion designer Jenny Polanco. Ms. Polanco was known for clothes, handbags and accessories influenced by the D.R. and featuring local materials including amber and larimar. Sadly, she was taken by COVID-19 in the early days of the pandemic back in March of 2020.
Designed by Jenny Polanco at Museo Fernando Peña Defilló.
If you’ve spent any time whatsoever in Parque Colon during the past, say, fifty years, you’ve likely seen a man painting away under the big tree near the Hotel Conde de Peñalba. His name is Alejandro Alcina and he’s known as El Pintor de la Zona Colonial. His current exhibit, Recuerdos de una Vida is housed in an old building just a few paces from the Parque in which he created these paintings. Many of them are dated 2022 and quite a few were painted just this year. It’s great to see so many of his paintings together.
Recuerdos de una Vida.