Kiki Valdes - Miami Art

OpenZine Launch and more

KIKI VALDES CO-FOUNDER OF OPENZINE.COM LAUNCHES

Hey everyone, its been a minute since I've been able to update the news. Things have been real busy over here. Just wanted to give you guys the heads up about OpenZine.com (www.OpenZine.com) It's a site my brother Humby and I created for the purpose of networking information and ideas in a way thats more indepth then the blog. It's like creating Zine online. It's cool because you can create new issues and save your back issues like an actual magazine. It's alot more fun then your 2003 idea of the blog. It's really for everyone wether your an artist, writer or whatever you do. Check it out, also make sure to check out my OpenZine, at www.OpenZine.com/KikiValdes It's still in BETA testing mode so feel free to drop some feedback. We are looking out for you!

THE HEXAGONE EXHIBITION OPENING RECAP

On May 10th 2008 we had an opening called Hexagone. It featured the works of me (Kiki Valdes,) Purvis Young, FriendsWithYou, Jose Mertz, Bhakti Baxter, Phillp Toledano and 1st Ave Machine. It was organized by ARC, which is a collective that I and Jose Mertz started to show all types of art in Miami. The show was held at Miami Art Space. It was an amazing time, I have to thank everyone in the little Miami Art World for stopping by. Also want to thank our sponsors such as Media Stage, Hennessy, Bawls Enegry Drink and Urban Icons by Alan Solis. If you would like to know more about ARC, check out the site www.OpenZine.com/Arc

for all information and details about artists and the opening.

FREEDOM TOWER ART RECEPTION BY TELEFONICA

I can finally say who organized the event where I painted live at the Freedom Tower in April. Telefonica invited me to be apart of the leadership conference they had. I was honored to be apart of it. The pics above show more or less what happened that night with music provided by my friends PALO! The show they had up by the IDB Collection was really cool as well. I also got to make some friends in the corporate world which was nice. I have to thank Telefonica America and Forums Inc. for making this possible for me. It was an amazing time.

KIKI VALDES EXHIBITS AT DUKE UNIVERSITY FOR CUBA CONFERENCE

Hey! My paintings will be shown at Duke University during the Duke Cuba Conference going on this weekend over in Durham, NC. Have to thank all my friends at Duke and everyone from Evolution, Roots of Hope and Inter-Cambio for making this possible. If you are a student or live in the area make sure to check out the exhibition. It will be held at the Smith Building on campus. There will also be several artists showing from a few New York galleries. The conference is to bridge the gap between American Cubans and Cubans on the island. Finding ways that both sides can communicate and bring some clarity and expression to the table. There are panel talks by key note speaks and a great big party at the end of the conference on the 13th. If you would like more information check out www.DukeCubaConference.com

FRIDAY, APRIL 11th 2008

Kiki Valdes at Duke Cuba Conference Exhibition
Duke University - Smith Building/ACT Studios
Durham, N.C. Opening reception: 7pm

IDB Collection

KIKI VALDES & IDB COLLECTION ART RECEPTION

The Inter-Development Bank's collection goes on view across musuems all over the country, this month the collection will have a private art reception for their exhibition at the historic Freedom Tower Art Center. A corporation which I can't disclose at this time is hosting this private event there. They have commissioned me to create a piece live during the exhibit. Artists in the show include Keith Haring, Wilfredo Lam, Roy Lichtenstein, Roberto Matta, Diego Rivera and many others. I am just really honored that I was picked for this. The live art thing has taken a turn where I think it belongs.

Kiki Valdes at IDB Collection Exhibition

Thursday, April 10th 2008

Freedom Tower Art Center

Downtown, Miami FL.

(Private Engagement)

I also want to thank the students and staff at University of IL at Urbana-Champaign and the Krannert Art Musuem for having me and for pulling off such a successful event and opening. I was there yesterday and it was just a beautiful thing to experience. The musuem has works currently shown by Mark Rothko, Andy Warhol, Robert Rauschenberg, Stuart Davis and others. Landscapes of Experience and Imagination was the opening of the exhibition that night by Midwest Latin artists. I did a live drawing to charcole on canvas with a live Jazz orchestra. I will try to upload the photos soon. Have a good week!