Entering 2021 still closed to the public, the city’s Emma S. Barrientos Mexican-American Cultural Center has launched a new digital exhibition.
“21 (Veintiuno)” is a solo show of Austin-based artist Ender Martos who makes vivid, vibrant, optically playful art work in several different media. Martos received the center’s 2019 Award of Excellence along with the opportunity for the show.
Launched Feb. 1 “21 (Veintiuno)” features Martos’ art along with his personal reflections on the theme of “diversity within diversity.”
“It is the year 21, of the 21st century,” writes Martos in his exhibition statement. “I lived 21 years in Venezuela, and now, 21 more years in Austin, Texas.”
Built on the Smithsonian’s Learning Lab platform, “21 (Veintiuno)” is arranged in three sections, each one representing the Venezuelan-born artist’s past, present and future. In autobiographical videos of Martos’ life and creative practice, musing on the influence of the Venezuelan kinetic art movement of the 60s and 70s, his experience as an immigrant and his ideas on the future.
Not quite all of “21 (Veintiuno)” is virtual though. Martos has installed “Graceful Celebration of Diversity” a circular sculptural assemblage of brightly colored pillars on the grounds of the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican-American Cultural Center The sculpture was originally created in 2019 for the city’s Art in Public Places TEMPO program of temporary public art.
You can access the installation from the hike-and-bike trail along Lady Bird Lake. The center is located at 600 River Street.
