Ana Hernández Burwell
Damage Control, 2017
Oil, Acrylic on Canvas
3” x 2”
Gift of the Artist

“Controlled Burn”

The MINI ART MUSEUM travels to Colombia, South America July 14 with a group exhibition curated by Daniel Rios Rodriguez. A send-off reception takes place July 10 in San Antonio at Forest Hills Branch Library.

The MINI ART MUSEUM (MAM) is proud to present “Controlled Burn,” an exhibition featuring the work of eight artists, that will travel through Colombia, South America July 14-27, 2017.

“Controlled Burn” exhibiting artists: Linda Arredondo, Ana Hernández Burwell, Brandan Doty, Rafael Fernando Gutierrez, Jr., Lauri Garcia Jones, Rhys Munro, Jose Sotelo and Christina Torres. All work and live in San Antonio with the exception of Canadian-based artist Brandan Doty. The exhibition, curated by Daniel Rios Rodriguez, reacts to the exploration of a controlled burn. Fire as technology, fire’s destructive potential, regeneration, self-control and naturally burning out are just some ways to interpret controlled burn.

Lauri Garcia Jones, artist, articulates, “The MINI ART MUSEUM not only exposes viewers to artworks from other areas of the world, but provides a wonderful opportunity for artists to have their work exhibited abroad if they do not have the means to do so on their own.”

“The MINI ART MUSEUM is revolutionary for bringing art to people rather than waiting for them to stumble through its doors. I grew up visiting museums and galleries, but always felt like an intruder of sorts. I am curious as to how the exhibition will be accepted and look forward to hearing critical feedback,” explains artist Rafael Fernando Gutierrez, Jr.

Mary Elizabeth Cantú, Spare Parts Executive Director/MAM Co-Founder will install and document “Controlled Burn” in communities of Colombia, primarily in Bogotá and in the country’s coffee region. “My goal is to place our exhibition in areas where one would least expect a Museum. Each artwork is no larger than a business card (2×3 inches) but packs a powerful story. Don’t let size deceive you,” notes Cantú. “We provide the magnifying glasses, too.”

The Spare Parts MAM, founded by Cantú and Gabriela Santiago in San Antonio, Texas, was created to bring the fine art experience to schools and the community. It is a non-traditional visual art venue and serves as a non-site specific institution that generates accessible fine art experiences. Artwork exhibited at the MAM is by professional artists and is curated to express different, individual themes. Since its inception in 2013 until June 2017, the MAM has traveled to over 70 places across the world and has had over 13,000 visitors.

The Forest Hills Branch Library will host a send-off reception from 6:30pm-8:00pm on July 10, 2017 at 5245 Ingram Rd, San Antonio, 78228. View “Controlled Burn” and meet Cantú plus some of the exhibiting artists. This reception is free and open to the public.

Follow “Controlled Burn”’s Colombia journey via MINI ART MUSEUM’s Instagram account: MINIARTMUSEUM. #weeart

PRESS RELEASE

Controlled Burn
Curatorial Statement

Controlled burn is a method of fire suppression and technique used on various landscapes to promote regenerative growth of flora and fauna. While this process and its outcome of such burns can be both complex and beautiful, my primary interest is its symbolic meaning.

For this exhibition, I asked eight artists to respond to their exploration of controlled burn. Fire as technology, fire’s destructive potential, regeneration, self-control and naturally burning out are just a few of my own thoughts about what a controlled burn suggests. As a painter, I have found working methods for fire in my work and am interested in other artists’ reactions. What seeds of ideas survive our own burning out? What are we left with when we are constrained or explosive or unlimited? Whether it’s purely symbolic or the direct use of fire I hope this exhibition demonstrates this spectrum.

Curator

Daniel Rios Rodriguez (b. Killeen, TX) is a painter living and working in San Antonio. He is a professor at the Southwest School of Art. Rodriguez has exhibited work in Los Angeles, New York City, Seattle, Chicago, Berlin and London with solo exhibitions in Mexico City and New York City (Nicelle Beauchene Gallery). He is a 2013 recipient of the Louis Comfort Tiffany Foundation Award and his work has been discussed in Frieze magazine, the Los Angeles Times and Art in America magazine. He has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Illinois, Chicago and a Master of Fine Arts degree from Yale School of Art, Connecticut. Rodriguez is a passionate arts advocate. He believes in the scope and scale of the MINI ART MUSEUM’s curatorial ambitions and its ability to reach broad audiences of all ages.

July 10, 2017 San Antonio send-off reception, “Controlled Burn”