“El Cuadrado Gris” or The Gray Square, is a contemporary art platform and space that brings us a new Spanish-speaking podcast about Puerto Rico’s contemporary art scene, including events, shows, and artists both within and outside its metropolitan area.
The podcast, named “Exhibicionista” or Exhibitionist, is hosted by Anna Astor, a professor, curator, and the runner of El Cuadrado Gris, alongside Alexis Figueroa, an art collector and the runner of Trailer Park Projects, and Pedro Vélez, a painter and former art critic. True to its title, the podcast provides a raw unloading of information, points of view, and opinions. They brainstorm beforehand, often relying on lists where Astor works as a co-host and moderator for the hour-long episodes.
The audio show premiered on July 1st on their Facebook and Instagram social networks and has since released three episodes. Our team recommends listening to it on their Facebook page, where you can easily pause, play, reverse, and forward the show. It also offers a link for free download.
Episode 1 takes us through the current happenings in Puerto Rico’s art scene, including ongoing shows, projects in progress, artists to follow, and things to keep an eye on. It also sets the stage for the dynamics between friends in the art world, providing insights into the artists and spaces. While enjoying their laughter and intriguing points of view, listeners are prompted to jot down names and events to explore further. The episode also begins to hints at the political and sociocultural aspects and struggles on the island, as well as the individuals running the institutions.
Episode 2 is aimed at art students and emerging artists, focusing on what they need to have and be prepared for when navigating the art world. It serves as a valuable resource because many art institutions, particularly in Puerto Rico, may not cover the necessary topics to help these artists understand what they need to work on and how to succeed beyond the academic scene. It’s important to remember that Astor is a professor and curator, Figueroa is an art collector and runs the Trailer Park Projects space, and Vélez is a successful painter in the island’s art scene, as well as a former art critic of international publications. The episode provides six perspectives and shares the hosts’ experiences and frustrations regarding important subjects and their tips for newcomers.
Episode 3 focuses on emerging artists and how they collectively define it for the podcast. The hosts go through a list of emerging artists in Puerto Rico, not limited to those who are Puerto Rican. They discuss the artists’ previous work, the subjects they cover, how they stand out, their expression, color palette, composition, materials, size, techniques, and their evolution over time, as well as the exposure they have received or lack thereof. If you are familiar with the mentioned artists, such as Ángel Borroto, Helen Ceballos, José Luis Cortes, or Jotham Malavé, you’ll appreciate this episode as you listen and visualize the art being discussed. If not, you can look them up while you listen, which will be a delightful experience. As the podcast delves into the rich tapestry of Puerto Rico’s art community, Episode 3 particularly stands out with its in-depth discussion of emerging artists and their remarkable contributions.
Excitingly, Episode 4 promises to be a continuation of this exploration, delving into a new group of emerging artists and their captivating works. Whether you are already familiar with the art scene or eager to discover new talents, we enthusiastically encourage you to check out the podcast and immerse yourself in the vibrant world of Puerto Rico’s contemporary art.
Tune in to “Exhibicionista” and join Anna Astor, Alexis Figueroa, and Pedro Vélez as they continue to shed light on the diverse and thriving art scene of Puerto Rico.
