CAF Gallery in Venezuela prepares for 100th birth anniversary of Carlos Cruz-Diez with monumental exhibit

Kicking off the activities to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Carlos Cruz-Diez, on August 17, 2023, and to promote Latin American and Caribbean culture, CAF—development bank of Latin America—, with the support of In Situ Art Projects (Grupo Odalys) and the Cruz-Diez Atelier, present the documentary exhibition on the artist’s monumental heritage “Carlos Cruz-Diez: A Heritage to Perpetuate,” which will be presented at the CAF Gallery in Caracas, La Paz and Montevideo.

Carlos Cruz-Diez is considered one of the main representatives of the optical and kinetic movement. His research on color has made him one of the most important color theorists of the twentieth century and one of the most outstanding figures in contemporary art. Hi work’s contribution to the world extends to monumental formats. During more than 80 years of uninterrupted creative work, he integrated more than 260 works of art into public spaces, architecture and habitat in the main capitals of the world, with Venezuela having the largest number of monumental pieces. Cruz-Diez’s works are local and regional references for Venezuelans, as symbols of their identity, affection and sense of belonging to the sites where they are located.

“For example, Ambientación de Color Aditivo, which extends throughout Simón Bolívar International Airport Terminal in Maiquetía, Venezuela, a space where one arrives and immediately understands the impact and magnitude of master Carlos Cruz-Diez,” said CAF executive president Sergio Díaz-Granados.

This exhibition aims to promote awareness of an invaluable monumental heritage that has enriched people’s quality of life, the preservation of which is key for future generations to enjoy. It additionally aims to promote the recognition and enhancement of Latin American and Caribbean identity, focusing on CAF’s four management priorities: economic revival by promoting heritage recovery; digital transformation by viewing the work in digital format; equity and inclusion by expanding the scope of the work through this exhibition in cities where it is less known, and making CAF the green bank, working toward sustainability in artistic-heritage projects for cities. 

It is an invaluable monumental legacy that will be preserved through the “Great Project to Preserve and Restore the Artist’s Monumental Artistic Heritage,” in public and private spaces, which began in 2016 with the alliance between In Situ Art Projects, an architecture studio subsidiary of Grupo Odalys and Carlos Cruz-Diez, through Cruz-Diez Atelier. This initiative aims to return monumental icons to the cities of the world and ensure preservation of the master’s legacy for future generations. This preservation and restoration project is a great example of promoting patronage for the recovery of Latin American and Caribbean cultural heritage.

This exhibition aims to give visitors the opportunity to “experience color,” in addition to highlighting the large number of pieces created and projects proposed and available for these and other cities in the world. It is part of a broad schedule of actions in various institutions and organizations worldwide for 2023, as part of the celebrations of the 100th anniversary of the artist’s birth and the 2030 agenda. It will also be presented at the CAF Gallery in Montevideo and La Paz. These spaces will feature the artist’s works for these cities, and the projects he conceived, which can now be realized, thereby helping to create new icons and reference for these cities.

“Carlos Cruz-Diez: A Heritage to Perpetuate,” will be open for twelve weeks from its inauguration, and will be divided into two experiences: the documentary room containing the timeline will be open from Monday to Friday at the CAF Tower, in Altamira, during office hours. The digital work will be exhibited Thursdays and Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.. For guided or group tours, contact us at cultura@caf.com